Life is busy. Schedules are full, deadlines loom and the phone buzzes all day and night. There are times, however, when life is more than busy – it can get downright out of hand sometimes.

This pays a huge toll on our mood, relationships and our health. If you are overwhelmed with life right now, follow these tips to figure out how to slow things down and reclaim your happiness.

How to Handle Life When You’re Overwhelmed

1. Know Your Purpose.

Know your vision, your goals, and your plans because these help you set priorities. Each day, identify the task you must accomplish and make that your top priority. Get it done first – as early as you can. This alone will help you feel more at ease. Oftentimes we put off the most important items until last thinking that if we get our busy work and details in place, it will leave us with a greater ability to get the big jobs done. The problem is that when we live in this way, the big jobs don’t get done because we never get to them.

2. Say “No”

Be fiercely protective of your time. Make sure each new commitment is something you can and want to do. Huge amounts of effort are wasted and much stress is created when we commit to doing more than we are capable of realistically.

3. Schedule Downtime

To begin, schedule your downtime and then work around that. Make the downtime non-negotiable. Likewise, throughout your day periodically give yourself  two-minute breaks when you close your eyes and simply breathe. You can rub your neck or meditate too. Remember to also set aside time to play as well.

4. Protect Yourself

When you are tired, your efficiency falters. Thus, it is critical to eat healthily, get enough sleep and move your body. Also, it is equally important to avoid toxic habits, like smoking and drinking.

5. Be Present

Make the most of your time doing whatever it is that you do. If you are with a loved one, be fully there and present. If you are at work, focus on what you are doing. Take a moment to plan before starting a task.

6. Practice Gratitude

One of the fastest ways to feeling good and gaining perspective is to practice gratitude. When things go wrong or you feel out of control, simply stop yourself and say – “This is happening, but I’m okay. I am so grateful for [fill in the blank].” This has an immediate calming and clarifying effect.

7. Get Rid of Toxic People

Toxic people drain your time and energy. It is critical to avoid these people or eliminate them entirely where you can.

8. Simplify

Figure out the areas where you can simplify and do it. This alone will help to reduce your load. Take a few days to question everything you do and then determine what stays and what can go.