Let’s be real—life today feels more stressful than ever. Between running businesses, taking care of our families, and trying to find a moment for ourselves, the stress can feel constant. The problem? Our bodies weren’t designed to handle this level of chronic stress.

In this episode of the BossMom podcast, Dana Malstaff chats with Michelle Grosser, an attorney, pastor, Nervous System Expert, and Certified Master Life Coach. Michelle breaks down the science behind why so many of us feel overwhelmed and burned out and shares body-based tools to help us reset, heal, and thrive. If you’re ready to prioritize burnout recovery, this episode is for you.

 

Why We’re Stuck in a Cycle of Overwhelm

Stress isn’t inherently bad—it’s a natural part of life. But the way we’re experiencing it today is far from natural. Instead of encountering stress occasionally, we’re dealing with it daily. This constant state of “fight or flight” doesn’t allow our bodies to reset, leaving us stuck in an endless loop of overwhelm.

Michelle Grosser explains, “Our bodies are supposed to metabolize stress and close the loop so we can come back to a baseline stress level. Because we’re under chronic stress, our bodies aren’t able to close that stress loop.”

Signs you might need burnout recovery:

• Waking up tired despite a full night’s sleep.
• Experiencing brain fog and lack of focus.
• Feeling unmotivated or emotionally drained.
• Reacting more strongly to small triggers.

The Neuroscience of Burnout and Overwhelm

Our brains and bodies are designed to handle short bursts of stress, like preparing for an exam or dealing with an unexpected challenge. When the stress is constant, though, it overloads our nervous system.

Michelle describes this as “maxing out your stress hard drive.” Imagine your computer is running too many programs at once—it slows down, freezes, and struggles to function. That’s what happens to our minds and bodies under chronic stress.

Key takeaway: Not all stress is bad, but when you’re consistently over your capacity, it leads to burnout. Recognizing this is the first step in burnout recovery.

How to Regulate Your Nervous System in 60-90 Seconds

One of the biggest challenges for moms and business owners is finding time to manage stress. Fortunately, it doesn’t take hours of meditation or a day at the spa to regulate your nervous system.

Michelle shares quick, actionable tools you can use in the moment:

1. Temperature Shifts: Splash cold water on your face or hold an ice cube. Sudden temperature changes help activate the vagus nerve, calming your body.
2. Intentional Breathing: Try box breathing—inhale for 4 counts, hold for 4 counts, exhale for 4 counts, hold for 4 counts. This technique quickly reduces stress.
3. Grounding Techniques: Focus on your senses. What can you see, hear, touch, smell, and taste? This practice anchors you in the present moment.

These tools don’t eliminate stress but help your body process it so you can return to a baseline, a critical part of burnout recovery.

How to Avoid Maxing Out Your Stress Capacity

In a world full of friction, it’s unrealistic to expect a frictionless life. But you can take steps to avoid overwhelming your “stress hard drive.”

1. Know Your Limits: Pay attention to the signs of burnout and adjust your commitments when needed.
2. Set Boundaries: Protect your time and energy by saying “no” to things that don’t align with your priorities.
3. Build Recovery Time into Your Day: Even 5-10 minutes of intentional downtime can help you reset and recharge.

By proactively managing your stress capacity, you can focus on burnout recovery and prevent hitting the wall in the future.

The BossMom Takeaway

As moms and business owners, we’re often juggling so much that we live on the edge of what we can handle. But by understanding the neuroscience of stress and overwhelm, we can take small, practical steps to break free from the cycle.

Michelle Grosser reminds us that burnout recovery isn’t just for us—it’s for our families too. “The most profound thing we can offer our children is our own healing.”

Take a moment today to pause, reset, and prioritize your well-being. Because when you thrive, your family and your business thrive too.

Guest Bio

Michelle is an attorney, pastor, Nervous System Expert, Certified Master Life Coach, and host of The Calm Mom Podcast. Through somatic and neuroscience-based modalities, she coaches women through discovering what’s beneath their triggers and emotions, so they can begin their healing journey and find peace in the present. She deeply believes that the most profound thing we can offer our children is our own healing. She and her husband Jeff have two daughters and live in Miami, FL. To get Michelle’s private podcast on burnout, go to michellegrosser.com/burnout/, and follow @michellegrosser.coach on Instagram.