My head feels full and like it needs to be cleared what can I do to help with this?

I have just moved house, changed jobs and my partner is going through a messy divorce and there is no end of issues with my family. I try to be a good partner, daughter, aunt, boss but sometimes it’s so overwhelming. I am always the strong approachable one and can not afford to break as so many rely on me. I try walking, practicing self care but I can feel the brain fog taking over.
Asked by Zoey
Answered
12/10/2022

Wow! You have a lot going on in your life, and need a listening ear.  Additionally, it appears you are struggling with multiple life changes and dynamics of your family roles.  From what you wrote,  you seem conflicted in many ways, because you are attempting to demonstrate how much you love and care for all the people in your family and work life.  Self-care is tough for you as you believe you cannot afford to take a break from your family.  You are busy attending to everyone else and their needs at the expense of yourself.  Consequently, you feel drained, fatigued and exhausted.   

Always being the strong and dependable one can be overwhelming, stressful, and tiring.  I am glad you are engaging in self-care by walking even if you have brain fog beginning to consume your thoughts.   Brain fog is not a medically recognized term; however, it can be an indicator of several mental health conditions such as Generalized Anxiety.  Brain Fog can occur when you have had a lack of sleep and can leave you unable to think clearly and feeling spaced out. 

When on overload, as you described, self-care and taking time for you, even for an hour daily is critical.  If you don't take care of yourself, due to your high stress levels, you are at risk for various stress related issues. Research by the American Institute of Stress and other well known sources have over the years utilized the Holmes-Rhae Stress Inventory (developed in 1967 and is still highly reliable today) to examine stress and its effects on the body.  From information you wrote, the inventory indicates you are 80 percent more likely to be in an accident, get sick or develop a serious illness within the  next two years.  According to the Mayo Clinic there are four successful techniques for managing stress:  exercise regularly, eat well, practice mindfulness, and try relaxation techniques. If you do not take care of yourself, you will end up not being helpful to those you care the most about.

I am glad you have a support network in your family and friends.  It may be time to allow them to carry some of their own loads.  This does not make you a bad person or a failure as a partner, daughter, aunt or boss.  A good manager learns how to delegate responsibility.  In one way, you are a manager of your family as well as in your work environment.  I hope you make the decision to reach out for help by choosing therapy for yourself.

Please be kind and gentle with yourself.  You are a very worthwhile human being who has so much weighing on your mind.  You deserve to be less distressed and to be the best you that you can be.