A system crash can manifest itself in various ways.

You may, for example, notice that:

you don’t know where to start;
tasks remain undone;
you put off for a long time;
you stop halfway because you are tired;
you lose track of the overview;
you get angry or upset over little things;
you refuse help, even though you need it;
you feel ashamed of what you cannot do;

Day-to-day tasks require energy, attention, planning and physical activity. If your capacity to cope is lower, this can quickly become too much.

Stress and worrying can leave your head feeling full. Pain or tiredness can make your body feel uncooperative. Overstimulation can make it feel as though everything is coming at you all at once.

A lack of structure is also a factor. If tasks do not have a fixed place, they pile up more quickly. This makes it increasingly difficult to get started.

It helps to break tasks down into smaller parts and lower the bar.

For example, you could:

choose one small task;
to break a task down into steps;
set a timer for 10 minutes;
to start at a fixed point;
ask for help with the first step;
Take a rest before you become exhausted;
spread tasks throughout the day;
accept that ‘good enough’ is sometimes enough.

Don’t try to catch up on everything in one go. That can lead to a relapse. Small, repeatable steps often work better.

It is wise to seek help if everyday tasks remain undone on a regular basis or if this means you are not looking after yourself as well as you should. You can also ask for help if you feel down, anxious or helpless.

Please also seek help if your home becomes unsafe, if you are skipping meals or if you find that you are becoming increasingly isolated.

Together, we’ll look at which tasks are getting stuck and what you need to regain control. In doing so, we’ll focus on energy, motivation, planning, exercise and recovery.

A occupational therapist can help to break tasks down into smaller parts, introduce structure and distribute energy more effectively. A lifestyle coach can help with rhythm, sleep and recovery. In cases of stress, low mood or mental blocks, it can psychological support should be appropriate.

We are looking for practical steps to make everyday tasks more manageable again.

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