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Writer's pictureNikki Obrien

How Stress and Overwhelm are Sabotaging Your Decision-Making (and How to Fix It)

Ever feel like stress and overwhelm are running your life? 🤯


If you’re constantly juggling responsibilities, feeling mentally fogged, or unable to make clear decisions, you’re probably stuck in a constant cycle of stress. And let’s face it—decision-making feels impossible when your mind is spinning with overwhelm. But here’s the thing: It’s not your fault.


Let’s talk about why stress affects your decision-making—and what you can do to reset your nervous system and finally think clearly again.


Why Stress and Overwhelm Are Blocking Your Decisions:


When you’re stuck in a state of stress, your nervous system is activated. This means your body and mind are in survival mode—often referred to as the “fight or flight” response. This is great if you’re facing real danger, but when it comes to everyday stressors like work deadlines, financial pressures, or even family issues, this state does more harm than good.


An activated nervous system:


• Narrows your focus

• Makes it difficult to think creatively or find solutions

• Amplifies feelings of overwhelm and anxiety


In survival mode, your body is focused on protecting you, not helping you problem-solve. This means you have limited access to creativity, intuition, or logic—making decision-making nearly impossible.


🔑 What this looks like in real life:

A client of mine was overwhelmed in her new job. Despite her skills, her stress level was so high that she began second-guessing every decision. Her confidence plummeted, and she felt trapped in a loop of anxiety. It wasn’t until we worked on regulating her nervous system that she finally gained clarity, rebuilt her confidence, and succeeded in her role.


How to Reset Your Nervous System (and Unlock Your Decision-Making Power)


Good news—you can reset your nervous system to switch from survival mode to calm, clear-headed thinking. Once you do, your mind can function at its full capacity again. Creativity flows. Solutions appear. And decision-making feels like second nature.


Here’s one of my favorite quick techniques to reset your nervous system: the Bifocal Vision Exercise.


Bifocal Vision Exercise:


This practice helps regulate your nervous system and snap you out of stress and overwhelm in minutes:


1. Find a focus point in front of you (this could be anything—your coffee cup, a light fixture, or a spot on the wall).

2. Extend your peripheral vision slowly to both the left and right, keeping your gaze on that central point.

3. Breathe deeply as you do this, letting yourself become aware of the space around you while remaining focused on your point.


This simple exercise shifts your mind from a narrow, stress-focused view to a calm, expanded awareness. It’s an easy way to hit reset when you feel stress creeping in.


The Difference Between Making Decisions in Survival Mode vs. Calm Mode


Making decisions when you’re stressed is like driving in a heavy fog. You can’t see clearly, and every turn feels risky. You’re guessing instead of acting with confidence. 😓


But once you reset your nervous system, it’s like wiping that fog away. You can suddenly see the whole road, spot opportunities you missed before, and make confident, clear decisions. 💡





Your Next Step: Let Go of Stress and Take Back Control


If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, second-guessing every decision, or simply exhausted by trying to keep up, I’ve got something that can help.


👉 Download my free 2-part audio series, Drop the Pressure. It’s designed to help you release stress, calm your nervous system, and reclaim the clarity and creativity you need to make powerful decisions.


Stress and overwhelm don’t have to run your life. You have the power to reset and take control.


Final Thoughts:


Remember, when you take the time to reset your nervous system, you’re not just reducing stress—you’re opening the door to clearer thinking, better decision-making, and a whole lot more creativity. 🌟


Stress and burnout are common, but they don’t have to define you. With the right tools and practices, you can shift out of survival mode and into the powerful decision-maker you’re meant to be.



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