Parenthood Is Beautiful—But the Mental Load Can Break You

The Dr. Leaf Show

Dr. Caroline Leaf

Mental Health, Health & Fitness

4.6 • 3.2K Ratings

🗓️ 15 October 2025

⏱️ 36 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Being a parent doesn’t just ask for your time—it asks for your mind, your brain, and your body. The planning, predicting, soothing, deciding, remembering… it adds up. And the longer you carry the invisible weight, the more it rewires your mind to expect pressure instead of peace. In this episode, I’ll show you the neuroscience behind mental load, why emotional regulation often falls to one person in the home, and how to use small brain-based strategies to reduce burnout without guilt. 📒 Order my new book Help in a Hurry at www.helpinahurrybook.com ✏️ Rewire your mind, reclaim your peace, and save $50 on the new Help in a Hurry course—signed book included at www.helpinahurrycourse.com 📫 250,000+ read my free newsletter that breaks down scientific strategies to help you improve your mental health. Sign up here: https://drleaf.com 🖥️ WATCH THE SHOW ON YOUTUBE: /@drcarolineleaf GET IN TOUCH: 🌍 My website: https://drleaf.com 📸 Instagram: /drcarolineleaf 🐦 Twitter: /drcarolineleaf 💻 Facebook: /drcarolineleaf Fatty15: Get 15% off their 90-day subscription Starter Kit by going to https://fatty15.com/DRLEAF and using code DRLEAF at checkout. UPLIFT: Go to upliftdesk.com/DRLEAF and use code DRLEAF to get four free accessories, free same-day shipping, free returns, and an industry-leading 15-year warranty—plus an extra discount off your entire order. Veracity: Head to VeracitySelfCare.com and use code DRLEAF for up to 45% off your order. DISCLAIMER: This podcast and blog are for educational purposes only and are not intended as medical advice. Please consult with a professional for personalized support. #ParentingNeuroscience #MentalLoad #DecisionFatigue #DrCarolineLeaf #HelpInAHurry #ParentBurnout #CognitiveLoad #EmotionalLabor #Neuroplasticity #ParentingSupport #MindManagement #InvisibleLabor #MentalHealthForParents #ParentingPressure #BrainHealth #ParentingPodcast #OverthinkingFatigue #StableParentStress #FamilyDynamics #DailyStress Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcript

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0:00.0	A meal is more than food on a plate. It's comfort after a long day.
0:05.0	Laughter shared around the table and sometimes the only moments when everyone comes together.
0:11.0	But right now, many families across the UK are missing out on those moments and meal times altogether.
0:18.0	That's why Instant Pot are supporting Trussle to help end hunger together.
0:23.5	When you buy selected Instant Pot products, we'll donate an air friar to Woking Food Bank because
0:30.1	good food should never be out of reach.
0:32.9	Instant Pot.
0:34.2	Making life easier, tastier and helping families find comfort around the table again,
0:41.2	because life is better in an instant. Selected products apply.
0:46.2	Superdrug offers more than just beauty trends. It can be the first stop for your health too.
0:51.5	Superdrugs pharmacies offer the NHS Pharmacy First service. Get fast help for
0:56.3	things like UTIs, sore throats and sinusitis with no appointment and if suitable, prescription-only
1:02.1	medication on the same day. Learn more at superdrug.com slash pharmacy first. Subject to consultation
1:07.9	with a superdrug pharmacist available in England only. Aid restrictions may apply. This service is NHS funded. Rescription charges may apply if treatment is supplied. Sophie Tom and the kids are standing by the luggage carousel waiting for Sophie's bag. Looks like she's going to be wearing Tom's clothes for a week. But she's not worried. Their HSBC Premier bank account has comprehensive worldwide travel insurance that covers them, the kids and grandkids, if they had them.
1:30.7	Everything's Premier when your bank account is.
1:32.9	Search HSBC Premier.
1:34.5	HSBC UK, opening up a world of opportunity.
1:38.0	Apply with £100,000 annual income or £100,000 savings or investments with HSBC UK
1:41.9	or Premier Status Broad, covered provided by Aviva insurance limited age restrictions and limitations apply it's midnight you're lying in bed
1:50.4	mentally cycling through tomorrow's grocery school forms medication schedules the issue one of your
1:57.5	children is battling with and what time you need to leave to make it to the pickup on time.
2:02.6	No one asked you to do it. No one reminded you, but your mind is already sorting it all because that's what it's trained to do.
	...

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