Are You Feeling Overstretched?

It could be showing on your face. Emotional overload hits us all at some point and, in the past year, we’ve had plenty. Here’s how to cope...

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Have you been feeling mentally drained, weepy, anxious or extra sensitive lately? It could be that your emotions are getting the better of you. Perhaps you’re worried about a family member, your job, your relationship, or fed up with the whole COVID-19 situation. You most certainly are not alone, but it could be leaving you drained physically and emotionally.

‘Emotional overload is a state where you feel overwhelmed by your feelings,’ says psychotherapist and sensitivity expert Julie Bjelland. ‘It’s normal to feel like this occasionally, especially if you’ve got a lot going on.’ But, what do you do if you’ve got a tendency to feel intense emotions, even if there’s no obvious reason?

‘About 20% of people are naturally very highly sensitive,’ says Julie. ‘Their brains are wired differently and this trait makes them much more susceptible to stress, anxiety and overwhelming emotions. They can read body language and micro expressions other people aren’t even aware of. They feel their own emotions and those of other people more deeply.’

And it’s not always a bad thing. ‘You’ll often find them in the caring professions. They can also make great leaders, healers, artists and innovators. In fact, being so sensitive is like having a super power. ‘It means you’re highly attuned to what’s happening around you. This gives you access to information other people simply don’t have.’