Want to know why mum brain happens? It’s all about science, baby.
By Ava Wilde
You know, that fuzzy feeling in your head that makes you forget where you put your phone or wander into a room and totally blank on why you went there in the first place? Yeah, that’s the one.
But listen up, you’re not alone in this. Mum brain is like a secret club that we all join at some point or another. It’s like our brains decide to take a holiday right when we need them most – thanks a lot, brain.
“THE SLEEP DEPRIVATION AND STRESS OF CARING FOR A NEWBORN CAN FURTHER IMPACT COGNITIVE FUNCTION, MAKING MUM BRAIN EVEN MORE PRONOUNCED.”
What’s the deal with mum brain anyway?
Well, turns out there’s some science behind it. During pregnancy, hormonal shifts cause physical changes in the brain. These changes can lead to forgetfulness, lapses in concentration, and difficulty with multitasking. It’s like our brains are being rewired to focus on nurturing our little ones, but in the process, they sometimes forget where they put the car keys.
And once baby arrives, things don’t necessarily get easier. The sleep deprivation and stress of caring for a newborn can further impact cognitive function, making mum brain even more pronounced. So if you find yourself struggling to remember simple things or feeling like you’re in a constant fog, know that it’s not just in your head – well, actually, it is in your head, but you get what I mean.
But here’s the good news: mum brain is usually just a temporary thing. As your hormones start to level out and you settle into your role as a mum, your brain will (hopefully) start to get its act together again.
How to help clear the fog
In the meantime, there are a few tricks you can try to help keep mum brain in check.
- First and foremost, get as much rest as you can – easier said than done, I know, but every little bit helps.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. Whether it’s getting your partner to take over baby duty for a bit or enlisting the help of friends and family, there’s no shame in admitting that you can’t do it all on your own.
- Oh, and let’s not forget the power of lists and calendars. Seriously, write down everything – from grocery lists to appointments to random thoughts that pop into your head. Trust me, it’s a game-changer.
- And finally, cut yourself some slack, mama. You’re doing the best you can, and that’s all anyone can ask for. So what if you forget where you parked the car or leave the house with two different shoes on? It’s all part of the adventure of motherhood – embrace the chaos and know that you’re not alone in this mad journey called mum brain.
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