LONG-TERM EFFECTS: + Executive Function Breakdown: Difficulty making decisions and organizing thoughts + Emotional Exhaustion: Reduced capacity for empathy and patience + Reduced Adaptability: Inability to shift mental focus or recover after setbacks The brain’s priority in any crisis is survival. Research from the Center for BrainHealth shows that prolonged stress can make it harder to think clearly and regulate emotions, especially for mothers, whose caregiving instincts are constantly engaged. That’s why understanding how the brain responds to stress is so important: it reinforces that these reactions are not weaknesses but signals that the brain needs care and recovery. Neuroscience shows that without periods of cognitive rest and emotional regulation, the brain struggles to regain its balance. That is why intentional brain health habits become essential.
Fight-or-Flight: The Brain’s Emergency Response
During times of crisis, the brain prioritizes survival. Often, global crises can feel personal, resulting in mothers perceiving them as threats to their families’ safety and stability. The maternal brain is wired for protection, making it more vulnerable to chronic stress, emotional exhaustion, and disrupted decision-making. Being in a constant state of alert can weaken resilience and impair cognitive function over time. Whether the threat is a household emergency or a global tragedy, the body releases stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline that activate the “fight-or-flight” response. While helpful in the short term, prolonged activation keeps the brain in a hyper-alert state, making it difficult to think clearly or remain calm.
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