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Tiny Tigers: Everyday Stress and How to Captain Your Nervous System

Updated: 6 days ago


Have you ever noticed how small things can sometimes feel way bigger than they should? A wrong coffee order. A last-minute schedule change. An email that hits you the wrong way. These aren’t life-or-death situations, yet your body might respond as if they are. Welcome to the world of Tiny Tigers—those everyday stressors that your nervous system sometimes treats like full-blown threats. Understanding how these little “tigers” work can help you recognize them, respond with intention, and return to a sense of calm. I call this approach the Captain Mindset.


What Are Tiny Tigers?

In modern life, we’re not dodging predators or running from natural disasters, but our nervous system still behaves like we are. Tiny Tigers are the small daily events that activate our stress response system, even when we’re not actually in danger: traffic jams, being late, or a rude comment. They’re sneaky, cumulative, and very real in the way they affect our nervous system.


Why Tiny Tigers Feel So Big

Your brain is wired for survival. It doesn't always distinguish between real danger and modern annoyance. That means your body might react to a missed deadline with the same intensity it would to a physical threat. You’re not overreacting—it’s biology. And while this wiring has helped humans stay alive, it isn’t always helpful in a world filled with constant, low-level stressors.


The Three Types of Tiny Tigers

Not all Tiny Tigers are the same. Some deserve more of your attention and care, while others may just need a moment of awareness to be defused.

  1. Tigers with Real ImpactThese stressors may not be physically dangerous, but they do affect your sense of safety and well-being. Financial uncertainty, health concerns, and job instability fall into this category. They are real, valid, and deserve your compassion. If you’re dealing with them, be gentle with yourself—you’re navigating a lot.


  2. Emotionally Draining TigersThese are the stressors that come from relationships and the daily balancing act of life: parenting logistics, friendship dynamics, and social obligations. They matter, but they’re often flexible. Ask your self- Does this person deserve my attention, does this conversation deserve my energy? Don't waste your precious energy on a random stranger that says something dumb, or on. a one time blunder from a friend that is usually cool.


  3. Tiger MasksThese stressors are the least threatening, but they still activate your nervous system. A wrong coffee order, loud talkers in a quiet room, a tech glitch. Not real threats, but they can cause a jump in stress if you’re not paying attention. Once you name them for what they are, you can soften your response.

Becoming the Captain of Your Nervous System

You can’t control life’s chaos—but you can learn to steer through it. Think of yourself as the Captain of your own ship. The Captain knows their vessel: the body, brain, and nervous system. They respond with presence rather than panic. They identify what’s in their control and let go of what isn’t. They don’t let others take the wheel, and they actively seek calmer waters when possible. It doesn’t mean the seas will always be smooth—but it does mean you’re learning how to sail.

 
 
 

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