Motherhood, while rewarding, is also challenging.
This means that it can take its toll on both your body and mind, with many recent mothers experiencing a phenomenon known as “mummy brain.” If you are not familiar with the term, this is a “cognitive change after birth, causing forgetfulness, fogginess and a feeling of being scatterbrained.”
While this does tend to improve over time, it’s normal to feel as though you are not quite as sharp cognitively as you would like to be when you’ve got a lot on your plate. After all, with responsibilities pulling you in every direction, it can be difficult to focus on one task at a time. You may also find that you’re more prone to making mistakes or lapses in memory.
With that in mind, here are some steps that you can take to sharpen your mind as an exhausted mum!
Try to get more sleep
Working to improve your sleeping habits is key to sharpening your mind and ability to focus. This is because sleep deprivation affects both your long-term and short-term memory, as well as your decision-making abilities. While getting more than a few hours of scattered sleep may seem impossible as a parent, it is something that you should work on diligently moving forward.
For example, this may be the case of sticking to the age-old method of sleeping whenever your child is sleeping. Or, you may want to ask for some help with childcare so that you can spend some time catching up on your sleep debt.
Consider alternative therapies
Alternative therapies, such as NAD+ treatment, can also help to sharpen your mind. For example, NAD+ treatment can do so through improving cellular function, especially as our reserves of NAD+ tend to decrease naturally as we get older. This treatment can help to replenish these reserves, improving cognitive function and memory quite considerably. Its also great for your overall energy and enthusiasm levels!
Pick up a book
Picking up a book is a great way to improve cognitive function, whether it’s the latest romance sweeping the shelves or a classic non-fiction title. There are many reasons for this. For example, it will naturally expand your vocabulary and enhance your focus, while also improving your memory.
If you don’t enjoy reading, this is likely because you’ve never found the right book. As such, this is something that you should be willing to give a try moving forward. As a non-reader, try out a range of different genres until you find a good fit. Don’t be afraid to put a book down if it isn’t working for you.
You can save money when reading by joining your local library. This way, you can read as many books as you’d like to without having to spend any money whatsoever. It’s also a great way to support your local community, ensuring that these spaces continue to get the funding they need/deserve. Taking up reading as a hobby is also a great way to set a positive example for your children, who will understand the benefits of reading from an early age as opposed to viewing it as a chore.
Engage in a creative hobby
While you may not immediately consider creative hobbies, such as journaling or painting, to be brain-boosting activities, you’d be surprised at the benefits they have on cognitive performance. For example, they can encourage you to think outside of the box as opposed to taking everything literally. They can also provide you with some much-needed stress and anxiety, providing you with a sense of clarity moving forward.
Exercise as much as you can
Exercise also has an incredibly positive influence on your brain’s overall performance. For exmaple, those who exercise on a regular basis often have better memories, or find it easier to lock in and focus than those who don’t. This doesn’t mean that you need to commit to the exercise regimen of a professional bodybuilder – you simply need to find new ways to get your body moving.
For example, you could join a mother and baby exercise class, or try to stretch out your daily walks so that you are getting a few more steps in. Generally speaking, however, the more you move, the better your brain will perform. It can also work wonders for your mental health moving forward.
Spend time with other adults
While you may be more than willing to spend every waking moment with your little ones, there are times when you simply need to have an adult conversation about something other than bedtimes and Bluey! This will allow you to remain sharp, even if you aren’t having a conversation that would be described as strictly intellectual. It also means that you are giving yourself a break from parenting responsibilities, which is a great way to reset your mindset after a period of stress and anxiety.
Do a crossword or puzzle each day
While you may have limited time on your hands, spending a few minutes each day working on a crossword or puzzle can also improve cognitive function. For example, it can help to strengthen your logical reasoning or problem-solving skills, something which will come in handy when trying to raise children! It will also fill you with a sense of satisfaction whenever you complete a puzzle.
Final thoughts
If you feel as though your brain isn’t quite as sharp as it was before having kids, you aren’t alone. However, as this is often a product of stress and exhaustion, there are many ways in which you can sharpen your mind as you move forward. This includes:
- Trying to get as much sleep as you can
- Trying out alternative therapies and treatments
- Picking up a book
- Particpating in creative hobbies
- Exercising as much as you can
- Spending time with other adults
- Trying to complete a crossword or puzzle
By following the advice outlined above, you can restore your faith in your ability to think clearly and focus moving forward!
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