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Information overload and feeling overwhelmed: My brain threw a wobbly...


Mental health cartoon about information overload and feeling overwhelmed - black and white drawing of a girl trying to open the door but she's also on the other side refusing to let herself in

This week my brain threw a wobbly.


It refused, point blank, to cooperate, and then shut up shop!


This happens to me more frequently than I'd like because of my mental health condition, but it can happen to anyone.


You've probably experienced it. Brains just shut down and suddenly you can't seem to do the simplest of things.


I have a type of bipolar mood disorder called cyclothymia, so I experience symptoms of depression and hypomania interchangeably.


It can get quite intense when I'm triggered by certain kinds of stress - my focus goes out of the window, negative thought spirals take over, everything feels a million times worse than it really is.


What's happening is that I'm experiencing information overload, feeling overwhelmed...


and then... my brain will just stop functioning.


Finito.


It's bizarre and pretty upsetting.


It's not just my brain though. Brains in general only have a certain capacity, and when yours reaches its max, it'll probably malfunction too.


Thankfully, I have learnt that you can avoid the panic and stress cycle from doing any real damage, especially at work, simply by allowing your brain time to switch off and reboot.


Nothing bad has to happen in your life.


Just give your brain a break. Don't beat yourself up.


It's life, you're human. No brain is perfect.


Here are my top tips on how to give your brain a break:


  • Step away from whatever you're trying to force your brain to do - It ain't gonna happen.


  • Delegate, or get someone else to delegate - that's what managers are for, they won't mind.


  • Fresh air helps clear cobwebs so you can gain some perspective.


  • A nice cup of tea does wonders for helping you to keep calm and carry on.


  • Get a good night's sleep and start over tomorrow. It's all good.


Share your top tips for brain blips, burps and bizarre behaviour in the comments, I'd love to know them.


(I originally wrote and published this cartoon on LinkedIn)



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