Quiz: Moms in Colorado Discover Your Personal Calm-Down Strategy (Based on How You Respond to Stress)

Quiz Questions

• 1.
  You get home after a long day. You’re tired, hungry, and there’s still a lot happening around you. When things start to feel like too much, your brain goes to…

  • A.
    “Okay, I just need to do something. Clean the kitchen, answer emails, make a plan, fix a problem. Sitting down isn’t an option yet.”
  • B.
    “I stand there trying to decide what to do first… then open my phone, then make a to‑do list, then stare at it like my brain just powered down.”
  • C.
    “I’m doing everything and somehow no one notices. I’m irritated, snappy, and thinking ‘must be nice’ about literally everyone else.”
  • D.
    “I smile, say I’m fine, and kind of disappear. I scroll, zone out, and keep going on autopilot.”
• 2.
  You’re in the kitchen. The baby is crying. Someone asks how to load the dishwasher. Your phone is buzzing. When things start to feel like too much, your brain goes to…

  • A.
    “Okay, I’ll just do it myself. Faster, cleaner, correctly. Everyone move.”
  • B.
    “I suddenly can’t think. There are too many inputs and my brain freezes like a computer with 47 tabs open.”
  • C.
    “I’m already doing everything and now I have to explain it too?? I’m so annoyed I can feel it in my body.”
  • D.
    “I smile, answer the question, and quietly check out while still functioning.”
• 3.
  You just walked in the door. You are exhausted. There is absolutely nothing left in the tank. Your kid wants attention and you immediately feel guilty for not wanting to engage. When things start to feel like too much, your brain goes to…

  • A.
    “Push through. Just a little more. I can rest later.”
  • B.
    “I overthink what I should do, what’s best, what kind of parent this makes me… and end up doing nothing.”
  • C.
    “I feel resentful that no one sees how empty I am. I’m short, snappy, and hate that about myself.”
  • D.
    “I go numb. I scroll, zone out, or go through the motions while pretending I’m okay.”
• 4.
  You plan everything. Remember everything. Coordinate everything. And no one seems to notice how much effort it takes. When things start to feel like too much, your brain goes to…

  • A.
    “I’ll just handle it. If I don’t do it, it won’t get done right.”
  • B.
    “I make mental lists about all the things that need to happen… and feel completely overwhelmed by where to start.”
  • C.
    “I’m pissed. I feel unseen and underappreciated and it’s starting to leak out sideways.”
  • D.
    “I tell myself it’s fine and swallow the feeling, even though it definitely isn’t.”
• 5.
  You finally get a few minutes to yourself. No one needs you. When things start to feel like too much, your brain goes to…

  • A.
    “I should use this time productively. There’s something I could knock out real quick.”
  • B.
    “I don’t know what I want or need, so I scroll or stare at my phone instead.”
  • C.
    “I’m irritated that this tiny break doesn’t even touch how overwhelmed I feel.”
  • D.
    “I disconnect completely and numb out because it’s easier than checking in with myself.”

Quiz Outcomes

• 1.
  🌀 Your brain’s go-to stress response is: Spinning Plates

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  When things start to feel like too much, your brain kicks into motion mode. You stay busy, handle everything, and keep things moving because slowing down feels unsafe.This isn’t you being controlling or unable to relax. It’s a nervous system using movement and productivity to manage stress.What’s happening in your body: Your stress response is activated, flooding your system with energy. Your body is primed for action — and stopping would mean feeling everything you’ve been outrunning.Why deep breathing doesn’t help here: Asking your body to slow down when it’s full of adrenaline feels impossible. A few calm breaths can actually make the anxiety louder.Try this instead (big enough for the moment):Heavy physical input: wall sits, pushing hard against a wall, carrying something heavySensory interruption: spicy candy, strong mints, cold water on your wristsPermission-based pause: tell yourself, “I’m allowed to stop after one small task.” Then actually stop.These are survival strategies, not personality traits. Your brain learned them to protect you. The goal isn’t to get rid of them — it’s to have more than one tool when stress hits.Your brain isn’t broken. It learned this to keep you safe.We just need tools that are big enough for the moment you’re in.Curious about diving deeper?Schedule a free 20 minute consultation call.
• 2.
  🖥️ Your brain’s go-to stress response is: Too Many Tabs Open

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  When things start to feel like too much, your brain goes into analysis paralysis. You make lists about lists, think through every option, and somehow end up more stuck than when you started.This isn’t a lack of motivation or discipline. It’s an overwhelmed nervous system trying to keep you safe by slowing everything down.What’s happening in your body: Your stress response is flooding your system, pulling blood flow away from the parts of your brain that help with decision-making. The result? Lots of thinking, very little movement.Why deep breathing doesn’t help here: You can’t organize your way out of overload. Adding more thinking just opens more tabs.Try this instead (big enough for the moment):Interrupt the loop: stand up, move your body, make a silly face, shake your armsOne tiny action: choose the smallest possible next step (yes, smaller than that)Gamify it: give yourself credit for doing one thing — stickers encouragedThese are survival strategies, not personality traits. Your brain learned them to protect you. The goal isn’t to get rid of them — it’s to have more than one tool when stress hits.Your brain isn’t broken. It learned this to keep you safe.We just need tools that are big enough for the moment you’re in.Curious about diving deeper?Schedule a free 20 minute consultation call.
• 3.
  🌋 Your brain’s stress response is: Volcanic Eruption

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  When things start to feel like too much, your nervous system spikes fast. Irritation comes on suddenly, your body heats up, and you’re flooded with I’m done, I’m over it energy.This isn’t you being “too angry.” It’s a fight response that’s been building under the surface — usually because you’ve been carrying too much for too long.What’s happening in your body: Stress hormones surge, muscles tense, and your system prepares to protect you and make something change.Why deep breathing doesn’t help here: Trying to calm this level of activation with slow breaths is like using a garden hose on a forest fire. It’s not enough — and it sets you up to feel like you’re failing.Try this instead (big enough for the moment):Release the energy: push, stomp, throw ice, rip cardboard, yell into a pillowStrong sensory input: sour candy, cold water, strong smellsExternalize it: name the feeling, give it a shape or color, let it speakThese are survival strategies, not personality traits. Your brain learned them to protect you. The goal isn’t to get rid of them — it’s to have more than one tool when stress hits.Your brain isn’t broken. It learned this to keep you safe.We just need tools that are big enough for the moment you’re in.Curious about diving deeper?Schedule a free 20 minute consultation call.
• 4.
  🔋 Your brain’s stress response is: Autopilot

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  When things start to feel like too much, your system powers down. You keep functioning, but emotionally you’re checked out. Smiling, nodding, scrolling — just getting through.This isn’t laziness or disconnection. It’s a nervous system conserving energy when it feels depleted.What’s happening in your body: Your system shifts into shutdown. Energy drops, emotions flatten, and everything feels heavy or far away.Why deep breathing doesn’t help here: You can’t breathe your way out of exhaustion. Your system doesn’t need calming — it needs replenishment.Try this instead (big enough for the moment):Add comfort first: warmth, weight, soft textures, low lightGentle sensory input: rocking, stretching, holding something groundingPermission: rest without earning it — even brieflyThese are survival strategies, not personality traits. Your brain learned them to protect you. The goal isn’t to get rid of them — it’s to have more than one tool when stress hits.Your brain isn’t broken. It learned this to keep you safe.We just need tools that are big enough for the moment you’re in.Curious about diving deeper?Schedule a free 20 minute consultation call.