D ig a little deeper, and it becomes evident that while many of the world’s most urgent crises unfold, mothers feel their impact in deeply personal ways. News of violence, climate disasters, and geopolitical conflict doesn’t just spark concern; it triggers protective instincts, worry for their children’s futures, and a deep sense of responsibility to maintain stability at home, even when the outside world feels anything but stable. At the same time, mothers must filter and respond to this nonstop stream of external stress while juggling everyday responsibilities, from navigating health care decisions and supporting their children’s development to managing work, finances, and household routines. The emotional labor required to absorb, interpret, and react to global events, while staying present and grounded for their families, creates an invisible mental load that is both heavy and constant.
“This chronic stress impacts daily performance, creating highly distractible brains that have difficulty making good decisions and recognizing irrelevance. It also impacts the health of the brain, with an inundation of cortisol (stress hormone) and a correlation to atrophy of specific brain regions.”
JENNIFER ZIENTZ, MS, CCC-SLP, Director of Programs and Head of Clinical Services at the Center for BrainHealth
15
Made with FlippingBook Annual report maker