Why You’re Really Overwhelmed (And How to Fix It) With Nick McGowan

The Mindset and Self-Mastery Show

“When something happens, and we feel overwhelmed, what do we do?” In this episode, Nick discusses overwhelm and how it relates to trauma. By understanding that overwhelm can occur when multiple things happen all at once, and our nervous system perceives it as a threat. Self-awareness in recognizing and managing overwhelm is highly important, and taking a step back, breathing, and reflecting on the situation to prioritize tasks can help you move forward with clarity. What to listen for: Overwhelm can occur when multiple things happen all at once, and our nervous system sees it as a threat. Self-awareness is crucial in recognizing and managing overwhelm. Taking a step back, breathing, and reflecting on the situation can help prioritize tasks and create a plan during the overwhelming moments. Daily habits like meditation and goal-setting can prepare oneself mentally for the day and build resilience. “Overwhelm can feel like you just shut down. What happens in that moment is cognitive fatigue—too much mental action happening.” Overwhelm often leads to a sense of shutting down mentally. The feeling is actually a result of cognitive fatigue, which is the brain getting overworked. Cognitive fatigue happens when there’s too much going on mentally. Recognizing this as cognitive fatigue can help us manage it better. “We have the power to stop and slow down. It takes awareness.” We have control over how fast or slow we move through things. Slowing down is a choice we can make to avoid burnout. Building self-awareness helps us recognize when to hit the brakes. Slowing down can actually increase productivity and well-being in the long run. “Cognitive fatigue occurs when the brain is trying to maintain a high level of activity without rest.” Cognitive fatigue kicks in when the brain’s working hard without breaks. This is basically mental exhaustion from trying to stay at peak performance for too long. It’s important to take regular breaks to avoid mental burnout. Rest isn’t just a luxury—it’s necessary to keep your brain functioning properly. About Nick McGowan Nick is all about mental health and self-mastery. He works daily to manage his mindset and emotions and helps others do the same. His journey is one of resilience—he’s owned multiple companies, overcome addiction, and bounced back stronger after life’s toughest challenges. With over 20 years of experience in sales and marketing, Nick has helped purpose-driven businesses grow and make a real impact. He’s got a creative spark, a ton of tenacity, and a passion for helping others navigate both personal and professional growth. www.linkedin.com/in/thenickmcgowan Resources: Interested in starting your own podcast or need help with one you already have? Send Nick an email or schedule a time to discuss your podcast today! [email protected] Thank you for listening! Please subscribe on iTunes and give us a 5-Star review! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-mindset-and-self-mastery-show/id1604262089 Watch Clips and highlights: www.youtube.com/channel/UCk1tCM7KTe3hrq_-UAa6GHA Guest Inquiries right here: [email protected] Your Friends at “The Mindset & Self-Mastery Show”