Staying Grounded During the Stampede: Your Mental Health Matters

Every July, the Calgary Stampede transforms the city into a buzzing celebration of music, rodeos, food trucks, pancake breakfasts, and cowboy hats. For many, it’s a fun and festive time and a break from routine and a chance to reconnect with the community. But for others, it can feel overstimulating, exhausting, or even lonely in the midst of the crowd.

Whether you’re all in for the events or watching from the sidelines, it’s important to remember this: you don’t have to ride the emotional rollercoaster just because it’s Stampede season. Your mental health still matters, even when the city seems to be in full party mode.

The Hidden Pressure to Be Social and "Fun"

The Stampede isn’t just a 10-day event, it can feel like a full-on expectation. From office outings to family plans and social media feeds packed with smiling faces, many people feel pressure to show up, keep up, and have a “good time.”

But the reality is, for some, these events can trigger anxiety, sensory overload, or emotional fatigue. If you're an introvert, neurodivergent, dealing with burnout, or simply going through a tough season, this time of year can feel more depleting than energizing. And that’s okay.

It’s not your job to match the energy of the city. It’s your job to honour your own.

Common Emotional Reactions During High-Stimulation Events

You might notice:

• Increased anxiety or irritability after attending crowded events

• Feelings of guilt for not “making the most” of the Stampede

• Exhaustion after being social for extended periods

• Emotional crashes after long days of overstimulation

• Disconnection or loneliness, even when surrounded by people

These responses are valid. Emotional and sensory overstimulation is a real experience, and pushing through it without acknowledging it can make things worse.

Grounding Strategies That Actually Help

So how do you stay grounded when everything around you is moving fast and loud? Here are some simple but effective strategies:

1. Anchor in Your Body

When the external world feels chaotic, come back to your internal world. Grounding techniques like:

• 5-4-3-2-1 sensory exercises

• Taking a few deep belly breaths

• Drinking a cold glass of water slowly

• Walking barefoot on grass

These techniques activate your parasympathetic nervous system and help bring you back into the present moment.

2. Create “Buffer Zones” in Your Schedule

Instead of going from event to event, give yourself intentional downtime between social activities. That could mean 30 minutes in silence, a solo lunch break, or skipping a morning event to recharge.

Treat your energy like a budget, some events will cost more, so build in time to recover.

3. Set Gentle Boundaries

It’s okay to say no. You don’t have to explain or justify why something doesn’t work for you. Try:

• “Thanks for the invite, but I’m taking the night to rest.”

• “I’ll join for the first hour, but I might head out early.”

• “This week’s full for me, let’s connect next week instead.”

Boundaries are not rejection; they’re a form of emotional self-respect.

4. Use Routines to Stay Regulated

When everything around you is unpredictable, routines offer a sense of control. Keep at least one or two routines intact whether it’s your morning coffee ritual, daily walk, or journaling at night. These small consistencies act as mental anchors.

5. Limit Comparison on Social Media

Seeing everyone’s Stampede highlights might make you feel like you’re missing out. But remember: social media is a curated window, not the full picture. You don’t see the moments of exhaustion, overstimulation, or post-party blues. Your experience is no less valid just because it looks different.

You Don’t Have to Choose Between Joy and Boundaries

You can love the Stampede and feel overwhelmed by it. You can attend events and still carve out quiet time. You can be social and take breaks. These things can coexist.

Tuning into your needs, rather than the noise, is how you stay emotionally grounded.

And if you’re struggling more than usual or feeling emotionally off during this time, it might be worth checking in with a therapist. These big events often stir up more than we expect, especially if you’re managing stress, burnout, or past trauma. You don’t have to go through it alone.

Need support?
Our team at Exhale Psychology offers therapy for anxiety, burnout, life transitions, and more. Whether you want to explore deeper patterns or just need space to breathe, we’re here to support you, Stampede season and beyond.

Meet our team or book a free consultation today.