If you've been overwhelmed lately, Read this..

Hey friend,

I don't know who needs to hear this, but…

If you've been feeling overwhelmed lately , you're not "too sensitive."

There's a LOT happening in the world right now. And even if you're doing your best to focus, your nervous system still feels it.

I'm a high performer. I have big goals. High standards. But I'll be honest… lately I've caught myself feeling heavy. Distracted. On edge.

And I know I'm not the only one.

Here's What I've Noticed

When things feel unstable, we tend to do one of two things:

Push harder (and slowly burn out)

Numb out (doom scroll, snack, isolate, shut down)

Neither one actually helps long-term.

Because here's the truth:

High standards require high support , especially during chaos.

Your Brain Wasn't Built for This

Your body can handle stress.

What it struggles with is constant stress, without an off switch.

One stat that always gets me: the average person spends about 2.5 hours per day on social media.

And most people check their phones close to 100 times a day.

That's not just "being online." That's your attention getting pulled into a stress loop all day.

And chronic stress doesn't just mess with your mood, it affects sleep, cravings, digestion, focus, patience, and decision-making.

So, if you've felt like your discipline has been "off"…

It might not be a motivation problem.

It might be a nervous system problem.

My Outlet Lately: The Gym

If I'm being real… I've been hitting the gym more than usual.

Not because I'm trying to punish myself. Not because I'm trying to "escape life."

But because it's the one place my brain gets quiet.

The gym forces me into the present moment: breathing, focus, strength, movement, control.

It reminds me that even when the world feels loud…

I can still create stability inside my body.

And honestly? That's what self-care is.

Not candles. Not bubble baths.

Regulation. Reset. Return to yourself.

Quick Ways to Relax (When You Don't Have Time)

If you're busy leading, building, parenting, working… these are quick resets that work fast:

The 60-Second Brain Reset

Look around and name:

• 5 things you see

• 4 things you feel

• 3 things you hear

This pulls your brain out of threat mode and back into the present.

The Physiological Sigh (Science-Backed)

Take a deep inhale, then a quick second inhale on top, then a long slow exhale.

Do this 2–3 times. It calms your body down faster than most people think.

Stop Doom Scrolling Like This

Instead of "I should stop"… try creating a news window.

Example: "I'll check headlines from 5:00–5:10 PM only."

Because your nervous system doesn't know the difference between reading a crisis and living one.

The 10-Minute Outside Rule

If you do ONE thing today: go outside for 10 minutes.

No phone. No podcast. Just air, light, movement.

This is one of the fastest ways to shift your state.

Borrow Regulation (Don't Isolate)

Text someone safe: "Hey, I've been overwhelmed. Can you talk for 5 minutes?"

Sometimes your nervous system doesn't need a plan.

It needs connection.

Try This for the Next 24 Hours

Not a full life overhaul. Just this:

✅ No doom scrolling after 8 PM ✅ 10-minute walk outside ✅ One nervous system reset (pick one above) ✅ Reach out to one person instead of holding it all in

Because the goal isn't to be perfect right now.

It's to stay grounded enough to keep moving forward.

Final Reminder

If you're holding yourself to high standards…

make sure you're also giving yourself high support.

High performance isn't about being unshakable.

It's about knowing how to come back to center.

If this hit home, reply and tell me which reset you're trying today:

OUTSIDE / BREATHWORK / TEXT A FRIEND / GYM

Tee McConnell
Founder, The Human Side of Innovation™
Peak Performance by Tee

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