What is the Root Cause of Feeling Overwhelmed and How to Overcome It?

What is the Root Cause of Feeling Overwhelmed? Discover the Truth Behind It

Understanding the Overwhelming Feeling

Well, we’ve all been there, right? That sense of drowning in responsibilities, tasks piling up, and not knowing where to start. Feeling overwhelmed isn’t just a mild inconvenience—it's that heavy, suffocating feeling that clouds your mind. Honestly, I’ve had my fair share of these moments, especially when juggling work, family life, and personal commitments. But what really causes this overwhelming sensation?

1. The Root Cause: Mental Load and Stress

One of the biggest reasons behind feeling overwhelmed is simply mental overload. Our brains are constantly bombarded with information and tasks, and if we don't have effective ways to manage it, the stress starts to build. I had this conversation with a friend just last week. She’s been feeling extremely overwhelmed at work, and when I asked her what was causing it, she mentioned how many tiny tasks she was keeping track of in her head—things she had to remember but couldn’t put on a to-do list.

It turns out that mental load is a huge contributor. We’re trying to manage multiple things at once without truly understanding how much effort it takes. For instance, I once thought I could handle both work and studying full-time, but eventually, it became clear how much mental energy I was expending. Without organizing it, everything started to feel chaotic, and that’s when the overwhelming feelings crept in.

The Pressure to Be Perfect

Honestly, perfectionism is another root cause. We live in a world that pushes us to do everything just right, whether it’s in our careers, relationships, or personal lives. The pressure to meet high expectations can make you feel like you’re constantly falling short, which leads to burnout.

1. The Desire to Do It All

For many of us, the desire to "do it all" contributes heavily to feeling overwhelmed. I’ve definitely experienced this. There was a time when I felt compelled to excel at work, maintain a spotless home, be a perfect friend, and somehow manage to fit everything else in. The need to be perfect in every aspect of life puts unnecessary pressure on us. And when things inevitably slip through the cracks, that’s when we feel like we're drowning.

2. The Fear of Disappointing Others

Another thing that can add to the overwhelm is the fear of letting others down. When we’re overly concerned with others' opinions or expectations, it can pile up on top of everything else. I know a colleague who used to get incredibly stressed about meeting others’ expectations, and as a result, she felt constantly overwhelmed, despite being capable of doing her job well.

External Factors That Contribute to Overwhelm

Actually, it’s not always just internal factors like mental load or perfectionism—external stressors can really push us over the edge. For instance, changes in life circumstances, unexpected challenges, or even a chaotic environment can be contributing factors.

1. Life Changes and Uncertainty

Life changes are inevitable. Whether it's moving to a new city, starting a new job, or going through a breakup, these shifts can throw us into states of overwhelm. I remember when I moved to a new city, everything felt so out of control—new responsibilities, new routines, and trying to figure out my place. Those sudden shifts in life can cause us to feel mentally stretched and uncertain, which leads directly to overwhelm.

2. Too Many External Expectations

Sometimes, the overwhelm comes from the expectations others place on us. Whether it’s family, friends, or colleagues, when people demand too much of us, we often feel like we can’t keep up. I’ve been in situations where I felt like I was being pulled in a million directions because everyone needed something from me. That constant juggling act is a surefire way to feel overwhelmed.

How to Manage and Overcome Feelings of Overwhelm

So, now that we’ve identified the root causes, let’s talk about how to manage and reduce that feeling of being overwhelmed. Honestly, it’s not an easy fix, but it’s totally possible to get back on track.

1. Break Tasks Into Manageable Steps

One strategy that worked wonders for me was breaking tasks into smaller, more manageable pieces. Instead of focusing on everything I had to do at once, I would focus on one small task at a time. It’s less about trying to conquer everything in one go and more about taking small, steady steps forward.

2. Learn to Say "No"

I can't stress this enough—learning to say "no" is vital. You don’t have to say yes to everything. Once I realized that I didn’t need to take on every responsibility handed to me, my stress levels decreased dramatically. Saying no doesn’t mean you're lazy or incapable; it just means you're being realistic about your capacity.

3. Practice Mindfulness and Self-Care

Honestly, I used to skip this because I thought I was "too busy" to take care of myself. But practicing mindfulness or even simple self-care routines like taking a walk or meditating can seriously help calm your mind. It’s about giving yourself the space to breathe and reset. Even taking five minutes in the morning to sit quietly and focus on my breathing has made a huge difference.

Conclusion: Recognize the Root Causes and Take Control

Well, feeling overwhelmed is completely natural, especially in today’s fast-paced world. The key is to recognize the root causes of this feeling, whether it’s mental overload, the pressure to be perfect, or external factors. Once you understand why you feel overwhelmed, you can take active steps to manage your stress. It’s not about eliminating all pressure—it’s about learning how to deal with it in healthier ways. So take a breath, and remember: you’ve got this.

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.