Anxiety and overwhelm

What is overwhelm?

Overwhelm usually happens when we're faced with too many tasks or stimuli at once, making us feel unable to cope in the moment. A sense of overwhelm can be experienced by many of us, especially with the world moving at a fast pace with many demands on our attention and time. 

What is anxiety?

Overwhelm and anxiety have similarities and it can be tricky to make a distinction. A useful way of understanding anxiety is that it can be a longer-lasting state of worry and fear that can continue even when there is no immediate source of stress. 

Both overwhelm and anxiety can have symptoms that are physical (eg headaches), mental (eg difficulty concentrating) and behavioural (eg avoiding situations). 

• Symptoms of anxiety (nhs.uk)

What can help?

When things feel too much it can be hard to know what will help. However, there are simple things that we can do to release the pressure, see things more clearly and be the boss of our own brains. 

A little extra support can go a long way - don’t be afraid to ask for it.

Our support, health and wellbeing webpages provide guidance on mental health support. This includes:

• GP/professional support:  It's perfectly okay to seek support from your GP or other professionals for your mental wellbeing. They will understand that making this step can be a big thing for you and will make you feel comfortable. Reaching out for professional help can provide valuable guidance, effective coping strategies, and, if needed, appropriate treatment to support mental well-being. Taking this step can make a significant difference in managing anxiety and improving overall health.
  • Get help with anxiety, fear or panic (nhs.uk)
• Health Assured: Make use of the free, emotional support and counselling (available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year) through our Employee Assistance Provider, Health Assured.
  • Call +44 (0)800 028 0199 to talk through any problem no matter how big or small.
  • Explore the wider resources available to you from Health Assured. 

Open up to your manager

Your line manager is there to listen, signpost support, and offer practical help with your role. Sharing how you’re feeling, along with discussing workload, pressures, and challenges, can help reduce overwhelm and create a positive path forward. It’s okay to say if work feels like too much—you’re not alone in this. By being open about how you’re feeling, you help your manager support you better. These conversations might feel unfamiliar at first, but the more you talk, the easier it becomes.