Why You’re So Mentally Exhausted — The Invisible Load of Motherhood

If you’re constantly tired — not just physically, but mentally — there’s a name for that: the invisible load.

In this episode of More Than Mom with Dr. Nichelle Haynes, Dr. Haynes, perinatal psychiatrist and mom, explores the concept of the mental load of motherhood — the relentless stream of planning, remembering, anticipating, and emotionally managing that so many moms carry without acknowledgment.

We talk about:

• What the invisible load actually is (and why it’s not “just part of being a mom”)
• Why it often goes unseen — even by our partners, families, and systems
• How this mental labor affects your identity, energy, and mental health
• The emotional toll of being the “default parent” — and how to begin shifting the pattern
• Why naming the invisible load is the first step toward redistributing it
• Practical tips for sharing the load of tasks in your home

You’re not overreacting. You’re not failing. You’re carrying more than anyone realizes — and you deserve support.

We briefly talk about Setting Boundaries, Finding Peace, by Nedra Glover Tawwab, you can find it here.

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