It’s 7 AM, I’m in my baggy tee with messy hair, the coffee pot is hissing like a kettle on steroids, and my toddler just decided that today is the day to make music out of the pots and pans — right in the kitchen.
As a mompreneur, I’m not only juggling job and family, but also navigating Lego minefields and negotiating snack treaties like a seasoned negotiator.
With all this delightful chaos, stress can sneak up on you faster than a toddler on a sugar high. But fear not! I’ve discovered some creative ways to manage stress that don’t involve locking myself in the bathroom (though that option is still on the table).
So grab your favorite mug — filled with something stronger than coffee or tea or even wine, if necessary — and let’s dive into how we can turn stress into a manageable sidekick instead of an uninvited guest at our mompreneur party.
The Tantrum Begins: How the Brain Sparks the Chaos
Ever faced a stressful situation, like trying to meet a tight deadline at work, kind of like when you’re trying to get your child to nap and they refuse?
In your brain, the hypothalamus (the part that manages your hormones) acts like a parent trying to calm the tantrum. It sends signals to the pituitary gland (which controls hormone release), which then tells your adrenal glands (responsible for stress response) to release hormones like adrenaline and cortisol.
- Adrenaline: Think of this as the shock of the tantrum starting. Your heart races, and your body gets ready to act fast.
- Cortisol: This helps you stay focused and manage energy, but too much of it can wear you down, like when a tantrum just won’t end.
→ The Body’s Response: The Chaos Unfolds
As these hormones flood your system, your body starts reacting:
- Increased Heart Rate: Just as a child screams louder when upset, your heart beats faster to prepare for action.
- Muscle Tension: Your muscles tighten, preparing you for whatever challenge lies ahead—like a parent bracing for a messy situation.
- Shallow Breathing: You might find yourself breathing more quickly, similar to how a child gasps between cries.
→ The Long-Term Effects: When the Tantrum Doesn’t Stop
If stress becomes chronic—like an endless tantrum—it can lead to various issues:
- Memory Problems: Just like persistent noise, such as a crying child, can drown out essential sounds, ongoing stress can impair one’s ability to think clearly and remember things.
- Emotional Stress: You may experience irritability or anxiety, making it difficult to enjoy your time at work and with your family. This disruption in your daily life is a common effect of emotional stress, and you’re not alone in experiencing it.
- Physical Symptoms: Ongoing stress can often lead to common health issues like headaches, stomachaches, and feelings of exhaustion.
Taming the Tantrum: Finding Humor and Effective Stress Management
Stress can feel like a child throwing a tantrum. It is loud, chaotic, and hard to manage. But just as you can find ways to calm a child, you can also learn to tame your stress.
Here’s how humour plays a crucial role in managing stress, along with practical techniques to keep that tantrum in check in a humour way because life is too short to be too serious, isnt it?
→ Why Humour Works: The Psychology of Laughter
Humour is an effective stress-management tool for a variety of reasons:
- Stress Buffer: Laughing at a difficult circumstance can help you see it as less scary. This cognitive shift enables you to see challenges as opportunities rather than obstacles. According to research, those who utilise humour to cope have less psychological distress. Read more here: The Effects of Humour when Coping with Stress
- Physical Benefits: Laughter causes the production of endorphins, a natural substance produced in the body that reduces pain and increases enjoyment, making it easier to handle stress,
Funny Stress Examples: Relatable Moments We Can Laugh At
Let me share some of the best ways to tackle stress by laughing it off. Here are a few everyday scenarios that mompreneurs might find all too familiar:
- Spilling Drink on Your Presentation: You’re rushing to prepare for a big presentation while your toddler is having a meltdown and accidentally spill the drink all over your notes. Initially, this appears to be a disaster, but if you take a moment to breathe and chuckle at the ridiculousness of the scenario, you realise it is simply a great story waiting to happen. Sharing this moment with friends later can lighten the atmosphere and help you realise that things don’t always go as planned—and that’s okay!
- The Overload Schedule: You’ve scheduled three meetings at the same time because your calendar looks like a colourful mess. When you realise what you’ve done, instead of panicking, you chuckle at your own “busyness”. You might even joke with colleagues about needing a personal assistant (or a time machine) to manage your schedule. This light-hearted approach helps relieve tension and fosters camaraderie among your team.
- Kids Interrupting Online Conference Calls:You’re in the midst of a crucial conference call when your toddler enters the room, dancing and singing. Instead of being ashamed, you laugh it off and even introduce your little “sidekick” to your coworkers. This not only relieves stress, but also produces a memorable time for everyone to enjoy. It reminds you and your company that life occurs, and humour can help bridge those unanticipated gaps.
Practical Stress Management Techniques: Calming the Tantrum
When stress starts throwing its fit, other than laughter, here are effective strategies to help you calm those stress-induced “tantrums” and regain control:
- Mindful Breathing Exercises: Try the 4-7-8 Technique, a simple breathing exercise that can help calm your mind and body in stressful moments. You need to Inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 7 seconds, and exhale for 8 seconds. Repeat this cycle a few times until you feel calmer or neutral.
- Mindfulness: Taking just 10 minutes daily to walk in the nature can clear your mind and provide a refreshing break from your responsibilities. Practice staying present in the moment. While walking, concentrate on what you see, hear, and sense around you. This might help you stay grounded when stress becomes overpowering.
- Emergency Stress-Stoppers: Sometimes stress hits hard, and you need quick relief. Here are some effective emergency stress-stoppers such as counting to ten, go for a quick walk or workout, listen to music.
→ Humour as a Coping Mechanism
Laughter not only makes stressful situations seem less overwhelming, but it also triggers good brain chemicals that boost happiness. Laughter-inducing activities, such as watching comedies or telling amusing stories with friends, can serve as a stress reliever.
I still remember being pregnant with my 2nd child with intense morning sickness, taking care of a toddler and starting up my business. It was highly stressful for me, and there were times I thought to myself, I should not have this baby. I realised how bad that was and quickly snapped out of it. I started watching comedy and giving myself positive self-talk.
Guess what?
My 2nd child came out to be a happy and cheerful baby.
I want to emphasise here that you can find humour in stressful situations. By doing so, you create psychological distance from the problem, allowing you to approach challenges with a clearer mind and more positive attitude. This shift enhances your resilience and makes navigating entrepreneurship’s ups and downs more enjoyable.
→ Cognitive Reframing: Turning Stress into Something Manageable
Cognitive reframing is the psychological trick of changing how you view stressful situations. Instead of seeing them as threats, try to view them as challenges or opportunities for growth.
For example:
– Instead of saying, “I can’t handle this,” try “I’m doing my best, and that’s enough.”
This shift in viewpoint may reduce anxiety and make challenging tasks seem easier to accomplish.
Just as taming a child’s tantrum requires patience and understanding, managing stress involves recognising its triggers and establishing appropriate coping strategies.
By incorporating humor into your daily routine and employing practical stress management techniques, you can transform those overwhelming moments into manageable experiences.
Remember, laughter is not just a quick fix; it’s a long-term strategy for maintaining balance in your busy life as a mompreneur!
Now that you’ve discovered how humor and effective stress management can transform your overwhelming moments, it’s time to gain deeper insights into your stress levels!
Take our Stress Assessment Quiz now!
It’s easy to overlook how much stress impacts your daily life, but understanding your stress level is the first step toward finding balance. Take this quick Stress Awareness Quiz to discover where you stand and get insights that can help you reduce stress and feel more at peace.
👉 How Stressed Are You? Let’s Find Out Before You Turn into a Pumpkin👈
Let’s laugh, learn, and thrive together as you embark on your journey to a more peaceful and empowered you!