In this insightful episode of The Thriving Mompreneur, therapists and motherhood coaches Mariah Boyer and Liz Kent delve into the pervasive issue of overstimulation experienced by mothers. They explore how sensory overload, coupled with emotional and physical demands, can lead to ”mom rage,” burnout, and feelings of guilt. 

Mariah and Liz share their personal experiences and professional expertise, offering practical strategies for recognizing the signs of overstimulation, setting healthy boundaries, and developing effective self-regulation techniques. They emphasize the importance of self-awareness, understanding personal triggers (which can stem from current stressors or past experiences), and the power of modeling healthy emotional responses for children. 

This episode provides valuable insights and actionable steps for mothers seeking to break the cycle of overstimulation and cultivate greater calm and connection in their parenting journey.

Key Takeaways

• Recognize the Signs: Overstimulation manifests through various senses and can include emotional dysregulation, somatic symptoms, and activation of the fight-flight-freeze-fawn response. Awareness is the first step to regulation.

• Boundary Setting is Crucial: It's okay for mothers to need physical and emotional space. Learning to set boundaries, even with young children, is essential for well-being and models healthy behavior.

• Self-Regulation Techniques Work: Simple practices like belly breathing and progressive muscle relaxation can physically calm the nervous system and help manage overstimulation in the moment.

• Triggers are Often Sensory and Cumulative: Triggers aren't always dramatic flashbacks; they can be the result of accumulated sensory input and heightened emotional states. Understanding personal triggers is key to proactive care.

• Modeling Healthy Responses Builds Resilience: Taking breaks and verbalizing feelings (like frustration or anger) in a calm way teaches children valuable emotional regulation skills and normalizes the experience of a range of emotions.

Quote From the Episode

• “I also get overstimulated and overwhelmed. And it's part of the human experience. It's okay that it happens.”

• ”And I also think it's just really important and good to remember that moms can take breaks. Like it's okay to take a break and to tell your kids that you need a break from the stimuli.”

• ”I do want to reiterate that it is okay to walk away. My recommendation would be once you have regulated yourself though, then you can come back to it.”

• “You can start to implement regulation strategies, whether it's holding healthy boundaries and taking a time out or belly breathing, like diaphragmatic breathing, so that you can actually physically send signals to the brain that you're safe and you don't need to go in that fight flight freeze mode.”

Resources Mentioned

• Mariah Boyer's IG: @diversifiedwellness

• Mariah Boyer's Facebook group: Mothers' Restoring Roots: from Rage to Resilience: https://www.facebook.com/groups/mariahboyercoaching/ 

• The Attachment Project, for information and quizzes on attachment styles: theattachmentproject.com

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