What I Do When I Wake Up Feeling Overwhelmed (But Still Want to Prioritise My Health & Happiness)

We all have those mornings the ones where you open your eyes and instantly feel the heaviness of the day ahead. The to-dos, the expectations, the “shoulds.” It’s easy to feel like you’re already behind before you’ve even stood up.

But feeling overwhelmed doesn’t mean the day is lost. It simply means you’re human. And on the days when my mind feels loud but I still want to support my health and happiness, here’s exactly what I do.

1. I Start With Kindness

The first thing I offer myself is compassion not criticism.

Shame and guilt are not chic, and they definitely don’t help you move forward.
Instead, I remind myself: I feel this way because I care. I care about my life, my wellbeing, the people around me. That alone is something worth acknowledging.

Starting with kindness softens the edges of overwhelm and creates space for something better.

2. I Do One Thing That Nourishes Me and My Nervous System

Next, I choose one grounding action that helps me reconnect with myself.

For me, this is making a cup of tea. It’s simple, steady, and soothing. And while the kettle boils, I do a few gentle stretches nothing complicated, just something that brings me back into my body.

I love tea! 

These tiny rituals act like a reset switch, reminding my system that it’s safe to slow down.

3. I Make a Plan for Movement

Movement isn’t just physical it’s emotional, mental, energetic.
So once I feel a bit more grounded, I make a plan for some form of movement and actually put it in my diary.

Even a walk counts. 

It could be a Pilates session, a walk, or even 10 minutes of stretching. The type doesn’t matter the intention does. Scheduling it makes it non-negotiable and gives my day a supportive anchor.

4. I Fuel Myself With Foods That Help Me Feel Good

I’m mindful about how I fuel myself, especially on overwhelmed days.

Have you ever noticed how sluggish you feel after eating junk? It’s wild how quickly food can drain you—or lift you. Feeling well sets you up both mind and body, so I choose foods that nourish, energise, and stabilise me.

It’s not about restriction. It’s about support.

5. Then… I Crack On

There comes a point where the kindest thing you can do for yourself is to simply begin.

Not perfectly. Not dramatically. Just… start.
One task. One action. One step forward.

“Let’s just crack on” becomes less of a push and more of a gentle nudge toward momentum.

6. I End the Day With Self-Gratitude

Before I go to bed, I take a moment to acknowledge what I did do.

Not what I missed. Not what I should have done differently. Just a bit of self-gratitude—something we rarely give ourselves.

It closes the day softly and reminds me that I’m doing my best, even on the messy days.

Overwhelmed days don’t need to derail you. With compassion, grounding habits, nourishment, movement, and a little momentum, you can still support your health and happiness beautifully.

Be kind. Move your body. Fuel yourself well. And always, always celebrate the small wins.

You’re doing better than you think.

 

Hoping this helped xx