Module 9 – Worksheet 1: Checking the Dashboard – Recognizing Your Early Warning Signs

✨ Introduction

Just like a car has dashboard lights to alert you when something’s off, your body and mind give you signals too. But many parents are so used to “pushing through” that they ignore the early signs of stress — until they hit a wall.
This exercise helps you pause, scan your inner dashboard, and start listening before burnout takes over.

🪞 Reflective Practice

1. When I’m beginning to feel overwhelmed, my body usually tells me by…
(e.g., headaches, tight chest, shallow breath, fatigue, tense jaw)

🖊️ Write down at least 3 physical signs you tend to experience:

2. My emotional red flags often include…
(e.g., irritability, withdrawal, crying easily, impatience, numbness)

🖊️ List 3–4 emotional signals that stress is building up in you:

3. My thoughts when I’m stressed usually sound like…
(e.g., “I can’t do this,” “Why am I the only one?”, “Everything is on me”)

🖊️ Note 2–3 common thoughts you catch yourself thinking during high-stress times:

4. My coping defaults tend to be…
(e.g., scrolling, snacking, snapping at loved ones, overworking, isolation)

🖊️ Be honest — what do you usually do when you’re trying to manage stress automatically?

🌱 Reset Intention

Looking back at your responses, what would you like to try differently next time you notice these signs?

🖊️ Write a short commitment or experiment you’d like to try. Start small and realistic:

🌀 Visual Reflection (optional)

Draw a simple dashboard — like in a car — with 3–5 “warning lights” or gauges that represent your personal signals of overload.
Label each one, and mark what “red zone” looks like for you.

📷 Sketch here:

✅ This exercise supports the course’s theme of building emotional awareness, preventing burnout, and reconnecting with your body’s needs. Awareness is the first act of self-care.