This cumulative strain taxes the brain’s ability to focus, regulate emotions, and recover between stressors, leaving mothers increasingly vulnerable to burnout. Without opportunities to pause, reset, or feel safe in their environment, mothers may find themselves functioning in survival mode, not because they are weak, but because the weight of constant crisis is neurologically unsustainable. This dual burden leads to cognitive overload, where the brain is required to respond to too many demands at once. According to neuroscience research, this kind of overload can: + Reduce the brain’s ability to plan and solve problems + Heighten emotional reactivity and stress sensitivity + Disrupt sleep and recovery, weakening overall resilience. Without the opportunity to reset, the brain becomes stuck in a cycle of alertness and exhaustion, leaving mothers drained and struggling to keep up with daily life.
“The brain is similar to the body’s large muscle groups—it needs periods of silence to reset, not only to reduce stress but also to prime it for whatever comes next.”
JENNIFER ZIENTZ, MS, CCC-SLP, Director of Programs and Head of Clinical Services at the Center for BrainHealth
16 | RESILIENT MINDS: SUPPORTING MATERNAL BRAIN HEALTH IN TIMES OF CRISIS
Made with FlippingBook Annual report maker