217. Brain Fog and Decision Fatigue: Why Neurodivergent Moms Feel Mentally Drained

Hey friend,  Do you ever feel like your brain just stops working halfway through the day? Are you walking into rooms and forgetting why you went there? Could mental exhaustion and decision fatigue be contributing to your brain fog? I’m Ashley — a mom living with chronic illness in a neurodivergent family. If you’re dealing with constant fatigue, brain fog, inflammation, and broken sleep while trying to keep up with your kids, you’re not alone. This podcast is for chronic illness moms raising neurodivergent kids who want stress relief, better sleep, and simple, realistic habits to finally feel better in their bodies. Each episode shares nervous-system-friendly support to help you calm overwhelm, boost energy, and practice healthy habits that improve your symptoms — even in the middle of a full, demanding life. Some days your body isn’t necessarily exhausted… but your brain just feels done. You forget what you walked into the room for. Simple questions feel harder to answer. Even small decisions feel overwhelming. This kind of fatigue is often mental exhaustion, and many moms experience it because of the constant decision-making and mental load they carry throughout the day. In this episode I talk about: Why mental exhaustion happens How decision fatigue contributes to brain fog Why moms carry such a heavy mental load Simple ways to reduce daily decisions Practical strategies that protect your mental energy I also share simple systems that help reduce decision fatigue, including pre-decided outfits, default meals, and landing zones for everyday items. If your brain has been feeling foggy or overwhelmed lately, this episode will help you understand why — and what you can start changing. Resources and Links Mentioned Chronic Health Coaching https://ashleybraden.com/coaching Magnesium Cream HERE Lymphatic Cream HERE Natural Product store: https://payhip.com/hearthwellnaturals 200. Why Meal Plans Fail With Chronic Fatigue — and What Makes Creating Healthy Meals Easier 198.Why Healthy Eating Breaks Down at Dinner When Fatigue Hits (and What to Do Instead) Connect With Me Contact: https://www.facebook.com/chronicillnessmoms Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/chronichealthmoms Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chronicillnessmoms YouTube: https://bit.ly/chronicillnessyoutube Next Steps Join the Facebook group for support from other chronic illness moms Subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss future episodes Book a coaching session if you want help improving sleep, stress, and energy