Brain Turned to Mommy Mush? Here's How to Get It Back Online (2024)

Being a mother is wonderful in so many ways, but it’s hard to deny that there can be downsides too. One of the issues a lot of moms can find themselves facing is being completely consumed by motherhood. Your brain is so full of all things children, that it can feel like it’s turned to mush. You’re no longer sure how to function as an adult, even though you’re pretty sure you’re an intelligent person who’s perfectly capable of reading a book or holding an adult conversation. When you feel this way, not all is lost. You can get your brain back in gear by dedicating some time to yourself.

Challenge Yourself to Some Brain Teasers

It could only take a few minutes each day to keep your brain working. Instead of simply scrolling on your phone while you’re sitting down, think about finding some challenging ways to train your brain. You could play a digital game of chess or do a crossword. Try a daily puzzle like Wordle or tackle a sudoku while you have your breakfast. You could even do a daily Duolingo lesson. These things don’t take long and they can give you a great feeling of satisfaction when you’re done.

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Pick Up a Book

Reading with your children is one of the greatest pleasures of being a parent. But the latest kids’ books aren’t always particularly stimulating to read. If you need to read something a little more challenging, find yourself a book that you want to read. It could be one you’ve read before, a casual airport read, or something more challenging. Whatever you choose, the most important thing is that you enjoy it. If you feel you don’t have the time or energy for a full novel or nonfiction book, try some short stories, poetry, or reading some articles.

Watch Some Engaging TV/Movies

Kids’ TV can take over your life. When children find something they like, they often want to watch it again and again. And when they’re not watching it, they’re talking about it. If you can’t take another second of Peppa Pig, Sesame Street, or Bluey, give yourself time to watch something a bit more grown up. Evenings are the perfect time for this, giving you a way to relax once the kids are in bed. It doesn’t have to be a documentary or hard-hitting drama. As long as it’s for and about adults, it can deliver a more stimulating experience.

Return to a Hobby

Time for hobbies often seems to disappear when you become a parent, but it doesn’t have to. Making time for hobbies is possible, especially if you can work together as a team with your co-parent or other people in your support circle. If there’s a hobby you enjoyed before becoming a mother, now could be the time to pick it back up again. It might be something you can easily do at home on your own, or it might require a little more organization if you want to go out. Whether you like something creative or you’re just looking for a way to be more social, maintaining a hobby helps stimulate your mind.

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Get Active

Physical activity is excellent for staving off the mommy brain mush too. It gets you away from some of the other daily demands on your brain, while also helping to make sure your body is physically healthy. Even new moms can take steps to stay active, going for walks with their baby, working out at home, or finding classes or gym sessions where babies are welcome. A little activity each day or some longer sessions a couple of times per week can help you stay active and give your brain a boost at the same time.

Leave the House

When you’re really struggling with a mushy brain, sometimes all it takes is leaving your home for a while. Parents, especially new parents, can end up stuck inside for extended periods for a number of reasons. Getting out can take a bit of effort, but it’s definitely worth it. It gives you a chance to get some fresh air, to experience a different setting for a while, and have a little change in your routine. While routines are good, they can also be draining if you do the exact same thing every day, with no variety.

Listen to Something Brainy

Finding the time to read or even watch TV isn’t always easy, but some parents find it easy to listen to something. A podcast, audiobook, news program, or anything else in audio format can be the background sound to your day. You can listen while working, driving, cleaning, or doing various parenting activities. Even if you don’t catch all of it, or understand every word, just hearing other voices can get your brain working. It can be good for babies and children too, introducing them to new vocabulary and speech patterns (even if they can’t actually understand what they’re hearing).

Have Adult Conversations

As a new parent, one of the things you can miss most is stimulating adult conversation. A lot of the time when you do get to speak to others, it’s other parents and your conversations inevitably turn to parenting. If you want something different, make an effort to talk about other topics with friends and family. But even when the conversation does steer toward parenting, it’s still beneficial to talk to other adults instead of always talking to little ones.

Take Time for Self-Reflection

A few moments dedicated to self-reflection each day can also give you the chance to check in with your mind. You could use this time to meditate or maybe write in a journal. You don’t always get a lot of time to think about yourself when you’re a parent. But taking some time to think about your own feelings and thoughts is a good idea if you want to make sure you don’t lose yourself.

If you feel like your brain has turned to mush since becoming a parent, don’t let it stand. There are ways to stimulate your mind and get it back online.