How I’m reducing stress & learning to regulate my emotions

If you’re a mom, you already know about the invisible load… the one no one else sees but you feel in your bones every single day.

It’s the mental checklist running nonstop in the back of your mind:
Snacks packed? Did I switch the laundry? Why is the dog limping? Who’s out of socks? Don’t forget to RSVP. Add yogurt to the grocery list. Oh, and be patient, be present, be calm…

It’s the weight of everyone else’s needs stacking on top of your own, until suddenly you realize… you haven’t taken a full breath all day.

For a long time, I thought stress was just “part of the job” and emotional overwhelm was normal. I told myself to just push through, but pushing didn’t make me stronger. It made me exhausted, anxious, reactive, and stuck in a cycle I hated.

The truth?
I wasn’t okay.
And that invisible load was crushing me.

What Finally Changed

One night, after snapping at my kids again, I sat on the edge of my bed and realized something had to shift. Not in a “burn everything down and start over” way… but in a small, steady “I can’t keep white-knuckling my life” way.

So I started making changes: simple, doable shifts that began rewiring how I show up, how I think, and how I care for myself.

Here’s what has truly helped lower my stress and regulate my emotions:

1. I Slowed My Mornings Down

No more waking up in chaos.
Now I start with coffee, quiet, and intention.
A few pages of prayer or Scripture.
Coffee + breathing.
Just being before I rush into doing.

That alone shifted the tone of my whole day.

2. I Nourish My Body (So My Brain Can Function)

This one surprised me.

I learned that stress is harder to manage when your nervous system is running on fumes.
That’s when I started supporting my body with calm-supporting tools:
✔️ Collagen + CBG in my morning drink
✔️ Daily cannabinoids for emotional balance
✔️ Functional mushrooms for focus + resilience
✔️ Enough water + electrolytes so my system isn’t running dry

The difference in my mood and patience was almost immediate.
A nourished body produces a calmer, more regulated mind.

3. I Pay Attention to My Triggers Instead of Hiding From Them

Instead of stuffing emotions down, I started noticing them.

When I feel my chest tighten or my fuse shortening, I pause.
I breathe.
I ask: What’s really going on? What do I need right now?

It sounds simple, but this one practice has saved me from so many emotional spirals.

4. I Stopped Carrying It All Alone

I’m learning to ask for help.
I’m delegating.
I’m telling my family what I need instead of assuming they should already know.

And most shockingly?
They actually want to help.
I just needed to let them.

5. I Built Tiny Moments of Comfort Into My Day

I used to think self-care meant spa days.
Nope.
Self-care is the small things that tell your nervous system, you’re safe.

A walk outside.
Ten minutes with my LumeBox.
Sitting in the car before going inside.
Saying “no” without apologizing.

Little things add up to big emotional shifts.

I’m Not Perfect Now, But I’m Present

The invisible load hasn’t disappeared.
But now? It doesn’t crush me.

I’m more regulated, more patient, more aware, and more anchored in who I want to be.

If you’re carrying more than anyone knows, please hear me:
You don’t have to stay overwhelmed.
Small steps can change everything.
And you’re allowed to take them.

You deserve to breathe again.
You deserve to feel like you again.

And if you ever need support, tools, or a starting point, I’m right here.

In the rhythm of homeschooling, Saturdays can be a sweet breath of fresh air—a day to reset, reconnect, and recharge. That’s why we love making Simple Saturday part of our weekly rhythm, where learning blends naturally with wellness. No pressure, no screens, just simple activities that support the whole child: body, mind, and heart.

This week’s Simple Saturday homeschool activity is all about wellness through sensory grounding and nature connection. It’s designed to bring calm, clarity, and connection to your day—especially helpful if your kids (or you!) have had a high-energy week.

🌿 Activity: Nature Walk & 5-Sense Grounding

Objective: Support emotional regulation, mindfulness, and sensory awareness
Time needed: 20–30 minutes
Supplies: A nature path, backyard, or even a neighborhood sidewalk; a small notebook or paper and a pencil (optional)

🧠 Step 1: The “5-4-3-2-1” Grounding Walk

As you start your walk, invite your kids to pause and observe the world around them using their senses. This is a powerful mindfulness practice that helps calm anxious minds and teaches present-moment awareness.

Ask them to name:

5 things they can SEE
4 things they can FEEL (like grass, wind, bark, etc.)
3 things they can HEAR
2 things they can SMELL
1 thing they can TASTE (optional—like a mint they bring along, or simply focus on how fresh air tastes)

Let them take their time and be curious. If they want to draw or jot down what they notice, even better.

💬 Step 2: Reflect & Connect

Once home (or even right there on the walk), gather for a few minutes and chat:

What was your favorite thing you noticed?
Did you feel different after tuning into your senses?
What was the most surprising thing?

These reflections help build emotional intelligence and language around wellness—and often open up sweet conversations.

🧺 Bonus Idea: DIY Nature Tea

If you gathered any herbs like mint or lemon balm, brew a quick tea together when you return. It’s a cozy and grounding way to wind down and brings the whole sensory experience full circle.

Why This Matters

Wellness isn’t just about vitamins or exercise—it’s also about awareness, connection, and feeling safe in our bodies and the world around us. This simple activity plants seeds of calm that can grow throughout your child’s life.

Let your Saturdays be slower, sweeter, and a little more intentional. Wellness doesn’t have to be complicated—it can be as simple as walking barefoot in the backyard and noticing the way the sunlight hits the leaves.

Happy Simple Saturday, friend. 🌞

Tag: emotional regulation

The Invisible Load No One Sees