If you are a mom, then you are pulled in too many directions to count. Even though you have a wonderful job – being a mom – you will still experience the stress of the role and the responsibility that sometimes weighs you down. Add in days where you do not encounter or speak to another adult, and you may begin to experience the dreaded “Mommy Brain.” Essentially, this commonly held feeling is something that many moms experience and is also referred to as brain fog. Continue reading to learn some tips to help you avoid those foggy feelings.
Challenge Your Brain
Since moms spend so much time caring for other people and participating in rote, albeit essential, activities, they can begin to feel forgetful and less than stimulated over time. Counter these feelings and the mommy brain for brain fog that can come with it all. You can do this by challenging your brain every day. Find something to do that will only take a few minutes, or embrace an activity that will occupy you for longer.
Some fun and stimulating activities you can pursue may include the following:
- Play a Game – Games like chess require you to use your critical thinking skills along with strategizing your next move in anticipation of your opponent’s potential moves. Games that require you to problem-solve are good for your ongoing mental acuity. Try playing a game online where you try to beat the computer or sit down with a friend for some friendly competition.
- Learn a Language – Language learning is proven to help keep your brain sharp and help maintain its elasticity while reducing confusion and mommy brain. If you pursued a language long ago and have not studied it for a while or would like to begin anew, there are multiple language opportunities for every learning style and timeframe. If you only have a few minutes to study each day, try a reputable app where you can learn at your own pace. Alternatives are in-person classes for greater immersion in the language and more opportunities for learning about the culture. Zoom language learning has grown in recent years as a viable pathway to learning a second language from home.
- Keep up With Current Events – No matter what your personal opinions or political affiliations, you might feel that the news as of late is anxiety-inducing and stressful. While that may be the case, staying abreast of current events can help sharpen your brain and lessen that fog you feel. By knowing what is going on, you are better able to participate in conversations with others and form your own opinion instead of parroting others. Start by perusing a variety of reputable sites and channels, including ones that do not align with your views. Challenging your brain to understand the “other” viewpoint is another way to keep you sharp and build empathy skills for others with different opinions.
Reach Out to Another Adult
Socializing with others in your general age group is essential for your brain functioning. Spending time with little ones and basking in their hilarity at learning about life is beyond joyful, but sometimes you need adult interaction.
Contact your friend, friend group, parents, or long-lost cousin to coordinate some grown-up time. Since you have children, be mindful that the topic will circle around to them a few times throughout your time together; however, you should try to avoid making them the main topic of conversation.
Find something new and novel to discuss. Ask your parents about their childhoods or ancestry. Talk with your friends about the latest non-confrontational news stories. Or engage in one another’s interests and just talk about what you have been staying busy with and what you want to do in the future. There are always things to catch up on.
Get Enough Sleep
It always seems silly to heed the advice of “sleep while they sleep” when it comes to finding rest when having children, especially newborns and toddlers. After all, there are so many things to do at home. From dirty dishes piling up to dirty clothes taking up an inordinate amount of space on the laundry room floor, these necessary tasks often compete with the mere idea of sleep.
Change your approach to housework by doing something that works for you because you need to sleep, too. Ask your family or friends for help, hire a professional cleaner, or decide to let things go for a bit. It will not be forever.
Pay attention to when you are tired and act accordingly. If your little ones go down for a long nap, try to sleep for at least 20 minutes of that time. Set a gentle alarm for yourself and wake up feeling refreshed. A proper night’s sleep and napping as needed help maintain focus and cognitive function so you can avoid prolonged and continued confusion due to lack of sleep.
Rethink that Drink
Unfortunately, in our culture, there tends to be a normalization of phrases such as “wine o’clock” and “it’s five o’clock somewhere,” along with activities like daytime drinking or getting together with the other moms to “take the edge off.” While there is nothing wrong with drinking as long as you do it safely and it is within your value set, there are some things to consider when deciding to imbibe.
- Think about the number of drinks you will have and how you will feel afterward.
- Always know your transportation plans when you decide to drink. After all, you are responsible for your kids, too.
- Be mindful of the time of day in which you choose to have a drink. Too early really is too early. If you find yourself wanting a drink earlier and earlier in the day, it is time to find professional help.
- Since drinking alcohol, especially for prolonged periods, can lead to brain fog, it is important to pay attention to your drinking habits.
Watch this video for insight into alternate activities you can choose instead of “wine o’clock.”
Follow these helpful tips to reduce mommy brain and sharpen your mind at the same time. When you care for your mind, you are better prepared to take care of the little ones who depend on you. A clear head will help you now and in the future while setting a good example for those around you that self-care is important for everyone.
