5 Things That Actually Help me Survive the Stress (from one working mom to another)

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Let’s just say this clearly: I’m not thriving. I’m surviving. Between working full time, raising a four-year-old, keeping up with the chaos, and trying to be a functioning human, the stress is constant. But I’ve found a few little things — habits, hacks, and TikTok products — that make the hard days just a little easier. And in this season of life, I’ll take every small win.

💤 1. 

Mouth Tape = Actual Sleep

I used to wake up feeling more exhausted than when I went to bed. Turns out I wasn’t breathing properly at night.

Now I use breathable silk mouth tape and nasal strips — they help keep me asleep, reduce my snoring, and I don’t wake up with a dry throat.

It’s not a glamorous fix, but it’s the one thing that actually gives me a shot at feeling rested.

👉 I use this Queen Tape from TikTok Shop from the RoomRef — it doesn’t rip my skin off, and it’s gentle enough for sensitive skin.

🍷 2. 

TRIP Drink Instead of Wine

I was in the habit of pouring a glass of wine to “unwind” — but it wasn’t helping my sleep or my stress. I swapped it for a magnesium-based drink called TRIP. It’s a little tart, a little fizzy, and honestly feels like a reward at the end of a long day. I like the Variety pack because each flavor is delicious and I am never bored with a bit of variety.

The best part? I don’t wake up groggy or dehydrated. I just feel… calmer.

🧴 3. 

Magnesium Cream for Me & My Kid

This one surprised me. I started using a magnesium cream to help wind down before bed, and my daughter started asking for it too. It helps her settle, and gives us a tiny moment of connection in the bedtime rush. There are three options here and we have tried them all. We use this Lavender sent when she’s a bit more wild, the unscented when she’s a bit more drowsy already and this roll on when I have no patience and she wants to “do it herself”

Bonus: my legs don’t feel twitchy and I fall asleep faster. It’s become part of our nightly routine.

🧼 4. 

Fresh Breasts Anti-Chafing Lotion

It’s Texas. It’s summer. It’s swampy under everything. This lotion dries down to a powder finish and actually keeps me feeling fresh under my bra line and in all the sweaty, forgotten places.

It’s made for women, talc-free, and doesn’t leave residue on my clothes. If I’m going to be stressed, I at least don’t want to be sticky too.

💧 5. 

Hydration Packets in My Water Bottle

I kept wondering why I felt so run down mid-day — and it wasn’t always stress. I was just dehydrated.

I keep a water tumbler with built-in straws, and I throw in an electrolyte packet to get more from the water I actually drink. This one small shift made a big difference in my energy and headaches.

❤️ Final Thoughts:

None of these things are magic. But when life feels overwhelming, they’re small tools that help me feel just a little more human. And sometimes, that’s enough.

If you’re feeling the weight of it all, try one. Let me know what helps you survive your version of the chaos — we’re in this club together.