Month: July 2026

How To Recharge When You Feel Overwhelmed by Olivia Heath

~ Eleanor Segall ~ Leave a comment

(image: Luis Villasmil: Unsplash)

Not everyone can understand or relate to what feeling overwhelmed is really like, nor can anyone truly control whether they experience it or not. Typically, we feel overwhelmed when our brains reach their capacity to process and store information.

Decades of scientific research have allowed us to understand some of the triggers that can cause us to feel overwhelmed, and chances are, you will be no stranger to a few of them. It can sometimes be as simple as a lack of sleep, which can cause the brain to process information at a much slower rate than usual. Sleep deprivation alone isn’t a direct cause of feeling overwhelmed. It’s common for other factors like daily responsibilities, work stress and life changes to also make it harder for our brains to think clearly and rationally. In this article, we will discuss some of the main causes of overwhelm and how to navigate the feeling if it arises.

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Factors That Drive Feeling Overwhelmed

Everyone experiences overwhelm differently. For some, it’s an evident but manageable feeling, whereas for others, it can be completely overpowering and intense. Overwhelm occurs when our brains experience cognitive fatigue, which can be caused by a number of factors. Sensory saturation is one of the most common causes of overwhelm and occurs when too many sensory stimuli overload the brain at once. Sensory stimuli are anything you see, smell, hear, touch or taste. Some stimuli tend to be more taxing than others, for example, constant phone notifications or a repetitive background noise. When our brains process too many stimuli at once, our nervous system is constantly activated and rarely gets to switch off and reset.

​Feeling overwhelmed can also be caused by unrealistic expectations or perfectionism. If you hold yourself to extremely high standards that are impossible to live by, you can easily become overwhelmed when everything seems equally urgent and important. Life’s not perfect, and it’s also unpredictable, which is why when you aim for perfection or strict control over your life, you can feel overwhelmed with how challenging it can actually be.

​Some people feel overwhelmed by very specific situations, usually because of a traumatising event they’ve previously experienced, which has caused their nervous system to be stuck in overdrive. Experiencing a traumatic event can be life-changing for your nervous system, as it can easily become hypervigilant to everyday occurrences that could put you in danger. While it’s essential that your body is alert to life-threatening situations, it can be damaging if your nervous system stays in this fight-or-flight state longer than necessary. Essentially, your body is always in survival mode, which exhausts your nervous system and impairs your brain’s functioning, making you feel overwhelmed and exhausted much more quickly than others.

​It’s helpful to understand the different situations that can trigger overwhelm to arise, but it’s important to also recognise that there are some situations that are harder to prevent, such as overwhelm in the workplace. In more serious cases, individuals may be entitled to mental injury compensation if workplace conditions have caused overwhelming stress that has developed into a recognised mental health condition. These situations prove just how serious feeling overwhelmed can be if it’s not treated.

How To Recharge After Feeling Overwhelmed

The quickest and most effective way to recharge after feeling overwhelmed is to take a break from everything in front of you. If you’re overwhelmed by your environment or even your phone, try removing yourself and find a quiet, secluded space where you can slow your thoughts down. Block notifications on your phone so that you can’t be triggered by the

noise or thoughts they provoke. Although many find it difficult, deep breathing and grounding techniques are great for slowing down your nervous system so that you feel in control of your thoughts again. A popular grounding method involves paying attention to what’s around you, and naming what you can see, feel, hear, smell and taste. This technique directs your focus to the present moment and acts as a distraction from the overwhelming thoughts you might be experiencing. It’s also a proven technique to calm anxiety.

​Another scientifically-proven technique to release feelings of stress when you become overwhelmed is to physically move your body. Whether it’s a light stroll, stretching or a brisk walk, physical activity lowers stress hormones like cortisol and flushes out toxic chemicals that have built up in your muscles, helping you to instantly feel more relaxed.

(image: Brett Jordan: Unsplash)

How To Get Help When You Feel Overwhelmed

Dealing with overwhelm by yourself can be extremely challenging, especially when it occurs regularly. The best help you can get with feeling overwhelmed is support from family, friends or a professional service. Never feel embarrassed or afraid to reach out for support if you’re struggling with feelings of overwhelm. It is a common experience, and with the right support and coping strategies, it can be effectively managed.

What Therapies Can Help Calm People With ADHD?

~ Eleanor Segall ~ Leave a comment

(image: Christina at wocintechchat.com at Unsplash)

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) affects both children and adults. It can make it harder to stay focused, manage emotions, and control impulsive behaviour. While medication can be helpful for many people, it is not the only option. A range of therapies can help people with ADHD feel calmer, improve daily life, and build better coping skills.

According to the NHS, ADHD affects around 3 to 4% of adults in the UK. Research also suggests that around 5% of children worldwide have ADHD, making it one of the most common neurodevelopmental conditions.

Behavioural therapy

Behavioural therapy is one of the most widely used treatments for ADHD. It focuses on changing unhelpful behaviours and encouraging positive habits through clear goals and rewards.

For children, parents and teachers often play an important role by providing consistent routines and positive reinforcement. Adults can also benefit by learning strategies to manage distractions, improve organisation, and reduce impulsive behaviour.

Over time, these techniques can help people feel more in control and less overwhelmed.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, often called CBT, helps people understand how their thoughts, feelings, and behaviours are connected. Although it does not cure ADHD, it can help manage common challenges such as anxiety, stress, low self-esteem, and emotional regulation.

Many people with ADHD find that CBT gives them practical tools to handle everyday situations more calmly. Learning how to break tasks into smaller steps and challenge negative thinking can make a big difference.

Mindfulness therapy

Mindfulness encourages people to focus on the present moment rather than becoming distracted by racing thoughts or outside distractions.

Simple breathing exercises, guided meditation, and body awareness techniques can help reduce stress and improve concentration. While mindfulness may take time to learn, regular practice can help some people respond more calmly to difficult situations instead of reacting impulsively.

Many people include mindfulness as part of their daily routine alongside other treatments.

Cryotherapy

Cryotherapy is another therapy that some people explore as part of their wider wellbeing routine. It involves exposing the body to very cold temperatures for a short period (Source: The Good Practice), either through whole-body cryotherapy or localised treatment.

Some people report feeling more relaxed, energised, or mentally refreshed after cryotherapy sessions. The cold exposure may also help reduce muscle tension and support recovery after exercise, which can contribute to an overall sense of wellbeing.

However, there is currently limited scientific evidence to show that cryotherapy directly treats or calms ADHD symptoms. It should be viewed as a complementary wellness option rather than a replacement for established treatments such as behavioural therapy, CBT, or medication. Anyone considering cryotherapy should speak with a qualified healthcare professional, especially if they have underlying health conditions.

Occupational therapy

Occupational therapy helps people develop practical skills for everyday life. An occupational therapist may suggest ways to improve organisation, time management, and daily routines.

This type of therapy can also help people adapt their home, school, or work environment to reduce distractions and make tasks easier to manage.

Small changes, such as creating structured routines or using visual reminders, can have a positive impact on daily life.

Exercise and movement therapy

Regular physical activity can help reduce restlessness and improve mood. Exercise encourages the release of chemicals in the brain that support focus, motivation, and emotional wellbeing.

Activities such as swimming, cycling, walking, yoga, or team sports may help people feel calmer while also improving sleep and reducing stress. The best results usually come from choosing activities that are enjoyable and can be done consistently.

Finding the right approach

There is no single therapy that works for everyone with ADHD. Each person experiences the condition differently, so treatment often involves trying different approaches or combining several therapies.

Behavioural therapy, CBT, mindfulness, occupational therapy, and regular exercise all have strong evidence supporting their role in helping people manage ADHD symptoms. Cryotherapy may also appeal to some people as part of a broader wellbeing plan, although more research is needed to understand its specific effects on ADHD.

Working with healthcare professionals can help identify the most suitable combination of therapies, allowing people with ADHD to feel calmer, build confidence, and enjoy a better quality of life.

A Free Mental Health Toolkit: Introducing Tough Minds by Michael Mander

~ Eleanor Segall ~ Leave a comment

(Image: Tough Minds/ Michael Mander)

If you’ve ever tried to get mental health support, you’ll know that it can feel like watching a game of ping-pong. You call one service, and they refer you to another. They point you to a helpline, which suggests a group. And at the end of it all is the bottom of a waiting list.

There’s a big shortage of mental health support out there. Whether you’re one of the millions struggling with a severe mental health illness, or simply going through a difficult time in your life, it’s never been harder to find care.

It’s not good enough, and everyone deserves access to the support they need – whether that’s a therapist, a diagnosis, a helpline, a support group. 

But the truth is that no service, however good, can give us everything we need, all of the time. The toughest moments in life don’t wait for a therapy appointment. There will always be moments where you’re on your own with it.

That gap is what I built Tough Minds for.

Tough Minds is a completely free, online toolkit to help you go from a difficult moment into a lighter one. There are breathing exercises, guided meditations, an urge-surfing timer, and calming soundscapes to help you relax or decompress. 

These are exactly the sort of exercises that a therapist or counsellor might recommend you try – but the ones that are so hard to remember at 2am when you’re in a crisis, or when you’re trying to fight off a difficult urge, or when you just need five minutes to breathe before a job interview. 

That’s why Tough Minds has no sign-up, no app to download, nothing to pay for, no ads. Whenever you need it, you can just go to Tough Minds.

(image: Mediensturmer: Unsplash)

Building emotional resilience

Those in-the-moment tools are only half of the reason I created Tough Minds. The other half is about building the underlying skills that can make those difficult moments less frequent and less severe.

We are less likely to be taught how to look after our mental health in school – and that’s a problem. We only ever learn how to look after our minds once we hit a crisis point – which is a bit like taking your first driving lesson when you’re already halfway round the M25 (UK motorway).

It doesn’t have to work that way.

Building Emotional Resilience

Tough Minds also has tools, games and exercises to help you build emotional resilience – the sort of skills you might learn in therapy. There are skills that help people manage emotionally difficult moments and even help with some mental illnesses. Skills like having a wide vocabulary for your own emotions, or knowing how to catch and reframe a spiralling thought before it takes hold.

These are skills like any other – they can be built so they’re there when you need them. That’s the part of Tough Minds I’m most excited to keep building: to improve and steady mental health.

None of this is about pretending that a website or an app can do the job of real support services, or the human-to-human support that so many of us benefit from. 

However, what Tough Minds can do is help all of us take care of ourselves. Not instead of support, but around it: when you’re on a waiting list, the days between sessions, the stretch of life after a course of treatment ends, and for the times life is just a little hard. 

If that sounds useful to you, you can find Tough Minds at toughminds.org. It’s free, and it’s there whenever you need it.

Michael Mander, founder of Tough Minds

We’re A Top 30 FeedSpot Bipolar Disorder Blog To Follow for 2026!

~ Eleanor Segall ~ Leave a comment

(image: Caleb Chen Unsplash)

Thanks so much to Anuj at the team at FeedSpot for listing this blog number 12 out of 30 Best Bipolar Disorder Blogs to follow on the internet here ! Delighted to be nominated amongst many wonderful blogs.

Feedspot is an RSS Reader that lets you subscribe to blogs, news sites, and any website you want to keep up with.

Eleanor x

How Stress And Anxiety Affect Daily Life And When It May Be Time To Seek Professional Help.

~ Eleanor Segall ~ 2 Comments

(image: Arif Riyanto: Unsplash)

Stress is a normal part of life, but when it becomes persistent or overwhelming, it can have a significant impact on emotional wellbeing, physical health, relationships, and overall quality of life. Many people experience periods of increased stress due to work responsibilities, family obligations, financial concerns, health issues, or major life changes. While occasional stress is expected, chronic stress and anxiety can gradually interfere with daily functioning and make even simple tasks feel difficult.

One of the most common signs that stress is becoming problematic is when it begins affecting sleep. People may struggle to fall asleep, wake frequently throughout the night, or wake up feeling exhausted despite getting several hours of rest. Poor sleep often contributes to increased irritability, difficulty concentrating, memory problems, and reduced productivity during the day. Over time, this cycle can become difficult to break without addressing the underlying causes.

Anxiety can also present itself in many different ways. Some individuals experience constant worrying or racing thoughts that are difficult to control. Others notice physical symptoms such as muscle tension, headaches, rapid heartbeat, stomach discomfort, sweating, or feelings of restlessness. These physical symptoms are real and can significantly impact daily life, even when there is no immediate danger or threat present.

Another important sign of ongoing anxiety is avoiding situations that once felt comfortable. Someone may begin declining social invitations, avoiding public places, postponing important decisions, or putting off responsibilities because they feel overwhelmed. While avoidance may provide temporary relief, it often strengthens anxiety over time and makes returning to normal activities increasingly difficult.

Stress and anxiety frequently affect workplace performance as well. Individuals may find themselves struggling to stay focused during meetings, completing projects more slowly than usual, or feeling mentally exhausted by routine responsibilities. Decision-making may become more difficult, and confidence can gradually decrease. These challenges are common and should not be viewed as personal weaknesses but rather as potential indicators that additional support could be beneficial.

Relationships can also be impacted. Increased stress may cause someone to become more withdrawn, impatient, or emotionally reactive. Misunderstandings with spouses, family members, friends, or coworkers may occur more frequently. Loved ones often notice changes in mood before the individual fully recognizes them. Open communication and early intervention can help prevent these difficulties from becoming more serious.

(image: Unsplash)

Healthy coping strategies play an important role in managing everyday stress. Regular physical activity has consistently been shown to improve mood and reduce anxiety symptoms by releasing natural chemicals that promote emotional well-being. Even moderate activities such as walking, cycling, or yoga can provide meaningful benefits when performed consistently.

Maintaining healthy sleep habits is equally important. Going to bed and waking up at consistent times, limiting caffeine later in the day, reducing screen time before bedtime, and creating a relaxing evening routine may improve sleep quality. Nutrition also contributes to mental wellness, as balanced meals help support stable energy levels and brain function throughout the day.

Mindfulness techniques, deep breathing exercises, meditation, and progressive muscle relaxation can help reduce the body’s stress response. Many individuals also benefit from journaling, spending time outdoors, engaging in hobbies, or maintaining meaningful social connections with supportive friends and family members.

However, self care alone is not always enough. When symptoms persist for several weeks, interfere with work or relationships, or significantly reduce quality of life, speaking with a qualified mental health professional can be an important next step. A comprehensive psychiatric evaluation helps identify contributing factors and allows treatment recommendations to be tailored to each individual’s unique circumstances.

Modern psychiatric care often includes a combination of approaches. Depending on a person’s needs, treatment may involve psychotherapy, medication management, lifestyle recommendations, or collaboration with therapists and primary care physicians. Every treatment plan should be individualized, with ongoing monitoring to ensure that progress continues and adjustments are made when necessary.

Seeking help early can often prevent symptoms from becoming more severe. Mental health conditions are highly treatable, and many individuals experience substantial improvement with appropriate care. Reaching out for professional guidance demonstrates strength and a commitment to long-term health rather than weakness.

If you or someone you care about has been struggling with persistent anxiety, chronic stress, mood changes, difficulty sleeping, or emotional challenges that interfere with daily life, consulting a Carmel IN psychiatrist can provide valuable guidance, accurate diagnosis, and personalised treatment options designed to help restore emotional wellness and improve overall quality of life.

Moving To A New Home : Life Changes by Eleanor

~ Eleanor Segall ~ Leave a comment

(image: Peter Mason- not our actual house!)

Two weeks ago, my husband and I moved into our new cottage type house (not the one in the photo!). It has been a journey for us to get here and something we have been working towards for several years- and honestly, we weren’t sure we would be able to buy a house (with a mortgage) in the area we live in as we’re in London and prices are expensive. We are also aware to even be on the property ladder is a dream come true for so many and we know many people renting. So we are really grateful this has happened for us as we spent years living in a small 1 bedroom shared ownership apartment and weren’t sure we could move.

Moving to a new home can be unsettling but I remember just sitting down on the couch a few weeks ago and trying to drink in that this house is actually ours. I feel so so grateful.

We spent a couple of years at my Mums due to a dip in our finances (in 2024, I lost all my income overnight and had to rebuild it) and trying to find the right place for us- and over this period of time, two properties (a small house and a flat/apartment ) we offered on fell through due to various twists and turns. I was even considering moving to a different area entirely because it felt like what we needed was out of reach for us.

(image: Tatyana P Unsplash)

The overriding emotion is gratitude because our families and friends have been so supportive and kind to us, feel privileged.

I definitely struggled a lot during the time of being at my Mums due to being in a waiting season of not knowing about jobs, finances and home and health stuff (with my PMOS fertility) and this is a new chapter for us which we hope will be positive. My mental health was understandably slightly affected and I was lucky that I could pay for therapy sessions when I needed them and didn’t spiral too much. I am still pinching myself that our much held prayers have been heard.

If you’re reading this and you are struggling, please know things can turn around quickly, keep faith in your heart despite everything feeling hard. We will never forget the kindness and support shown to us. A person is truly not a person without other people and for me, G-d too. He is behind everything.

Moving home is said to be one of the most stressful things in life- so its important to take things day by day as it can be anxiety provoking.

With love,

Eleanor x

Younger Me: Fund CAMHS Mental Health Services Now!

~ Eleanor Segall ~ Leave a comment

(image: Eleanor Segall, 2006)

This is me aged 17.

One year and a half after my bipolar 1 diagnosis and after a hospitalisation.

On holiday with friends in Spain and already on medication to stabilise my mental health. So many children now are on waiting lists for NHS CAMHS to even get to see a psychiatrist.

It is my hope and prayer that the government fund mental health services and improve access to healthcare. Or people will die from suicide or become hugely unwell.

I support the work of Mind and Rethink Mental Illness in highlighting and campaigning for this.

I was in the Priory North London adolescent unit in 2004 which was funded by the NHS and I had so much help after a mixed bipolar episode became psychosis. The psychiatrists were so caring.

We need more support for the next generation. Please to the UK government- fund CAMHS NHS services!

Eleanor x