If you’ve been on the roads this past week, you already know… Hampstead traffic is a nightmare right now. With the new 3-tier bell schedule, everyone’s schedule got thrown in the blender. High school drop-off, middle school, elementary—everybody’s moving at different times. Morning traffic is brutal, afternoons are just as bad, and for parents it feels like one more thing added to an already full plate.

And here’s the thing—stress like this isn’t going anywhere. But how you deal with it? That’s 100% in your control.

Which Wolf Are You Feeding?

You’ve probably heard the story of the two wolves. One wolf represents anger, stress, frustration, and negativity. The other wolf represents patience, positivity, strength, and self-control. Both wolves are inside all of us. The one that wins is the one you feed.

When traffic’s backed up, kids are late, and you’re running on fumes, it’s easy to feed the wrong wolf—snapping at your kids, yelling at another driver, or grabbing junk food to cope. But feeding the right wolf doesn’t happen by accident. You’ve got to choose it.

How to Feed the Right Wolf (Backed by Research)

Here are three proven ways to feed the wolf that helps you handle stress with patience and resilience:

1. Move your body daily.
   Research shows that even moderate exercise lowers cortisol (stress hormone) and increases endorphins, improving mood and focus【1】. A brisk walk after drop-off or a structured workout makes you less likely to lose your cool in traffic or at home.

2. Practice gratitude or mindfulness.
   Studies have found that short daily gratitude or mindfulness practices literally rewire your brain to respond more calmly to stress【2】. Taking 2 minutes in the car line to breathe or list 3 things you’re grateful for feeds the patient, positive wolf.

3. Fuel your body the right way.
   Diets high in whole foods—lean proteins, omega-3s, fruits, and vegetables—are linked to lower anxiety and depression【3】. Ultra-processed foods do the opposite, spiking stress and mood swings【4】. Choosing real food is like giving the strong wolf better fuel to fight.

None of this means life won’t get stressful. It will. But feeding the right wolf gives you the tools to respond better instead of being consumed by the chaos.

Why You Need to Move Your Body

When life gets stressful, the first thing most of us cut out is taking care of ourselves. But this is exactly when you need fitness the most. Getting your body moving—even if it’s just 30 minutes—changes everything. You walk in stressed, you walk out lighter. Workouts don’t just build strength—they build patience, calm, and the ability to handle the madness of car lines and traffic lights without losing it.

Don’t Let Food Be the First Thing to Go

We’ve all been there—running late, grabbing fast food, or skipping meals. But here’s the deal: when you eat junk, you feel like junk. Energy crashes, patience disappears, and stress feels ten times worse. Keeping nutrition simple—protein, veggies, water—will help you handle these long, chaotic days without burning out. It’s not about perfection, it’s about not letting yourself run on empty.

Patience, Respect, and Community

Yeah, the roads are frustrating. The schedules don’t make sense. But every parent out there is dealing with the same mess. Instead of honking your horn or losing it in the car line, remember we’re all in this together. Respect goes a long way. And honestly, being around a community—like our crew at Breakaway—helps you not feel so alone in it all.

A Fresh Start (Not Just for Kids)

Back-to-school isn’t only about kids getting back on track. It’s a chance for parents too. You can let the chaos run you down, or you can use it as fuel to take control of your health and stress. Move your body, fuel yourself with good food, surround yourself with people who want the best for you. Do that, and not only will you handle the chaos better, but your kids will see what it looks like to rise above it.

Bottom line: Hampstead’s new bell schedule might have wrecked everyone’s morning routine, but it doesn’t have to wreck you. Feed the right wolf with movement, mindfulness, and good nutrition. Be patient. Respect others. Take care of yourself so you can show up better for your family—and everyone stuck in traffic with you.

👉 Want a place to get that stress out and get stronger in the process? Come train with us at Breakaway Fitness & Performance. Start here: bfpnc.com

References:

1. Hamer, M., & Stamatakis, E. (2019). Physical activity and stress resilience: A review. British Journal of Sports Medicine.

2. Fredrickson, B. L. (2004). The broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B.

3. Lassale, C. et al. (2019). Healthy dietary indices and risk of depressive outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Molecular Psychiatry.

4. Lane, M. M. et al. (2020). Ultraprocessed food consumption and mental health: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Nutrients.