Why Everything Feels So Overwhelming Right Now and What Can Help

AnxietyStress and OverwhelmWellbeing
Written By Rachel Williams

A lot of people have been saying the same thing lately, in clinic rooms, in group chats and over the back fence, which is that everything just feels like a lot.   Mental Health Australia has picked up on this too, and its theme for Mental Health Month this October, Together We Thrive, starts from the idea that global conflict, rising costs and constant change are leaving many of us overwhelmed and disconnected (Mental Health Australia, 2026).   If you have been feeling more frazzled than usual without being able to point to one clear reason, this post is for you.

Why it can feel like too much at the moment

Most of us can handle one big stressor at a time with reasonable grace.   What wears people down is the pile-up, where a tight budget, a demanding job, family responsibilities and worrying headlines all land in the same week, and then the next week as well.

The news plays a bigger part than many people realise.   The latest Digital News Report found that Australians are consuming more news than they were a few years ago, while around 68 per cent still say they avoid it at times (University of Canberra, 2026, as reported by RadioInfo, 2026).   That push and pull is familiar to plenty of us, since we want to stay informed but find that scrolling through one more story leaves us feeling worse rather than better.

Feeling this way is not a sign of weakness or of being too sensitive.   Your nervous system is designed to notice threats, and when it is being shown a steady stream of them, it can stay switched on far longer than is comfortable.

Signs that overwhelm is starting to take a toll

Overwhelm does not always look like stress in the way people expect.   For some it shows up as being busy and wired, while for others it looks more like shutting down.   A few common signs include:

  • Finding it hard to make simple decisions, like what to cook for dinner

  • Feeling irritable or snappy with people you care about

  • Lying awake with your thoughts racing, or sleeping more than usual

  • Putting off emails, bills or messages because they feel too big

  • Scrolling for long stretches without really taking anything in

  • Feeling flat, teary, or emotionally numb

  • Tension in your shoulders and jaw, headaches, or an unsettled stomach

Anxiety is one of the most common mental health experiences in Australia, with around one in six people aged 16 to 85 having an anxiety disorder in the previous year (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2023).   Not everyone who feels overwhelmed has an anxiety disorder, but the overlap is worth knowing about, because support works well for both.

Small things that can help you feel steadier

You do not need to overhaul your life to feel a little more grounded.   Small, repeatable changes tend to make more difference than big resolutions.

  • Choose when you check the news, such as once in the morning and once in the evening, rather than letting it come to you all day.

  • Write down everything that is on your mind, then circle the one or two things you can actually act on this week.

  • Get outside for ten minutes, ideally somewhere green, and notice what you can see and hear.

  • Protect your sleep where you can by putting your phone in another room for the last half hour of the night.

  • Say no to one thing that is not essential, even if it is small.

Connection makes a real difference

Mental Health Australia’s message this year is that small, everyday moments of care and conversation can help people feel safe, understood and like they matter (Mental Health Australia, 2026).   When we feel overloaded, the instinct is often to pull back from others, even though a coffee with a friend or a chat with a neighbour is usually what helps us reset.   Letting one trusted person know that things have felt heavy lately can take some of the weight off straight away.

When it might help to talk to someone

If the overwhelm has hung around for a few weeks, or it is starting to affect your sleep, work, relationships or enjoyment of life, talking to a psychologist can help.   Therapy gives you a space to untangle what is going on, understand your own stress patterns, and build strategies that fit your actual life.

At Valentia Health, our psychologists see many people who are not in crisis but simply feel stretched too thin, and they work with anxiety, low mood and burnout in a warm, practical way.   Medicare rebates are available with a Mental Health Care Plan from your GP, and you are also welcome to book with us directly.

You are allowed to ask for support

Asking questions about your mental health, including whether what you are feeling is normal, is a really healthy thing to do.   If things have felt like a lot lately, we would love to help you find your footing again.   You can book online at valentiahealth.com.au or call us on (07) 3544 6748 to see one of our psychologists in Taringa, near Indooroopilly, Toowong and Auchenflower, or by telehealth anywhere in Australia.

References

This post is for general informational purposes and is not a substitute for professional psychological advice. If you are in crisis, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or call 000.

Rachel Williams
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