Chronic Illness Moms | Feel Better, Stress Relief, Fatigue, Inflammation, Brain Fog, Healthy Habits, Neurodivergent

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 Coachinghttps://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: hello@ashleybraden.com
Facebook Page: 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
 

216. Always Tired and Anxious? Magnesium Might Be the Missing Piece

Hey friend, 
Do you feel exhausted but still wired at night?
Are tight muscles, headaches, or sugar cravings showing up more often lately?
Could magnesium depletion from chronic stress be affecting your sleep and energy?
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.
Many exhausted moms feel tired all day but still struggle to fully relax at night.
If you’ve been feeling wired but tired, dealing with tight muscles, headaches, or poor sleep quality, magnesium may be one piece of the puzzle.
Magnesium plays an important role in calming the nervous system, relaxing muscles, supporting sleep, and helping regulate blood sugar. But chronic stress can gradually deplete magnesium stores, making it harder for the body to fully relax and recover.
In this episode I talk about:
Why magnesium matters for stress and sleep
Signs your body might be low in magnesium
How chronic stress can deplete magnesium
Simple ways to support magnesium levels through food, supplements, and topical magnesium
How magnesium fits into a bigger nervous-system-support routine
If you’ve been feeling tense, exhausted, or stuck in stress mode, this episode will help you understand why — and what small steps might help your body recover.
Resources and Links Mentioned
Chronic Health Coachinghttps://ashleybraden.com/coaching
Magnesium Cream HERE
Lymphatic Cream HERE
Natural Product store: https://payhip.com/hearthwellnaturals
205. Stuck in Chronic Stress? The Hidden Pattern Keeping Your Nervous System on Edge
211. 6 Simple Lymphatic Support Tips for Brain Fog, Fatigue, and Inflammation
Connect With Me
Contact: hello@ashleybraden.com
Facebook Page: 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
 

215. Why Your Energy Swings Cause Fatigue and Brain Fog

Hey friend, 
Do you feel like your energy crashes in the afternoon?
Are you hungry again shortly after eating?
Could unstable blood sugar be contributing to your fatigue and 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.
Have you ever felt like your energy is on a roller coaster throughout the day?
Maybe you start the morning okay… but by mid-morning you’re already hungry again. Then the afternoon hits and suddenly you crash, your brain feels foggy, and sugar or caffeine starts sounding really appealing.
In this episode I talk about how blood sugar swings can affect fatigue, brain fog, stress levels, and even sleep quality.
If your energy has been feeling unpredictable lately, this episode will help you understand why — and what you can start doing about it.
Resources and Links Mentioned
Chronic Health Coachinghttps://ashleybraden.com/coaching
Magnesium Cream HERE
Lymphatic Cream HERE
Natural Product store: https://payhip.com/hearthwellnaturals
214. Why You’re Sleeping But Still Exhausted
211. 6 Simple Lymphatic Support Tips for Brain Fog, Fatigue, and Inflammation
Connect With Me
Contact: hello@ashleybraden.com
Facebook Page: 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

214. Why You’re Sleeping But Still Exhausted

Hey friend, 
Are you sleeping through the night but still waking up exhausted?
Could poor sleep quality be contributing to your brain fog and fatigue?
What if improving deep sleep could help your body finally recover?
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.
If you’re sleeping eight hours but still waking up exhausted, the problem might not be how long you’re sleeping — it could be sleep quality.
In this episode, I talk about deep sleep, the stage of sleep where your body does its most important healing work.
Deep sleep helps repair tissues, regulate stress hormones, stabilize blood sugar, and clear waste from the brain. Without enough of it, you may experience fatigue, brain fog, irritability, and sugar cravings even after a full night of sleep.
In this episode I explain:
What deep sleep actually is
Why many exhausted moms struggle to get enough restorative sleep
How stress and blood sugar affect sleep quality
Simple ways to support deeper, more restorative sleep
How magnesium can help calm the nervous system and support sleep
If you’ve been feeling like you’re sleeping but never truly resting, this episode will help you understand what might be happening — and what you can do about it.
Resources and Links Mentioned
Chronic Health Coachinghttps://ashleybraden.com/coaching
Magnesium Cream HERE
Lymphatic Cream HERE
Natural Product store: https://payhip.com/hearthwellnaturals
205. Stuck in Chronic Stress? The Hidden Pattern Keeping Your Nervous System on Edge
203. Is Your House Too Chaotic to Be Productive? Try THIS Nervous System-Friendly Approach to Get Things Done
Connect With Me
Contact: hello@ashleybraden.com
Facebook Page: 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

213. 4 Mindset Shifts to Break the Push-Crash Cycle with Chronic Illness

Hey friend, 
Do you ever push yourself to get everything done, only to crash afterward?
Have you noticed that trying to “catch up” on a good day sometimes leaves you exhausted for days?
What if shifting the way you think about caring for your body could help you break the push-crash cycle?
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.
Many moms living with chronic illness get stuck in the push-crash cycle.
On the days you feel a little better, you push yourself to catch up on everything. But the next day your body crashes — leaving you more exhausted than before.
In this episode, I talk about why this pattern happens and how a few simple mindset shifts can help you move from constantly pushing your body to nurturing your body at a sustainable pace.
We’ll walk through four mindset shifts that can help protect your energy, support your nervous system, and break the cycle of overdoing it and paying for it later.
This conversation connects with several of the Power 9 habits, including Rest, Stress, Emotions, and Spiritual health.
Resources and Links Mentioned
Chronic Health Coachinghttps://ashleybraden.com/coaching
Magnesium Cream HERE
Lymphatic Cream HERE
Natural Product store: https://payhip.com/hearthwellnaturals
196. Why Emotional Stress Turns Into Pain and Inflammation and How to Feel Better
192. 3 Fast Stress Relief Tips to Support Your Nervous System When Parenting a Neurodivergent Child
Connect With Me
Contact: hello@ashleybraden.com
Facebook Page: 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 and community
Book a 1:1 Chronic Health Coaching session

212. Why Venting Feels Good But Trains Your Brain for More Stress

Hey friend, 
Have you ever noticed that venting about stress sometimes leaves you feeling more exhausted instead of better?
Could your brain be getting stuck in a stress loop that’s making fatigue and brain fog worse?
What if one small mindset shift could help your nervous system move out of survival mode and toward calm?
In this episode, I’m talking about something many of us do without even realizing it—complaining.
When life feels overwhelming and our bodies already feel exhausted, venting can seem like a natural release. But the truth is, the more our brain rehearses frustration, the better it gets at spotting problems.
That pattern can quietly keep our nervous system stuck in stress mode.
In this episode, I explain the simple brain science behind why this happens and how small shifts in attention can help your brain move toward calm instead of staying stuck in overwhelm.
If you’ve been dealing with fatigue, brain fog, emotional overwhelm, or feeling constantly on edge, this episode will help you understand what your brain is doing and how to gently retrain it.
We also talk about how practicing gratitude supports several of the Power 9 habits, including Stress, Emotions, and Spiritual health.
Sometimes healing doesn’t start with something big.
Sometimes it starts with a small shift in what your brain learns to notice.
Resources and Links Mentioned
Chronic Health Coachinghttps://ashleybraden.com/coaching
Magnesium Cream HERE
Lymphatic Cream HERE
Natural Product store: https://payhip.com/hearthwellnaturals
203. Is Your House Too Chaotic to Be Productive? Try THIS Nervous System-Friendly Approach to Get Things Done
195. Brain Fog and Fatigue? How Simplifying Decisions Helps Boost Energy
Connect With Me
Contact: hello@ashleybraden.com
Facebook Page: 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 and community
Book a 1:1 Chronic Health Coaching session
 

211. 6 Simple Lymphatic Support Tips for Brain Fog, Fatigue, and Inflammation

Hey friend, 
Do you wake up feeling puffy, inflamed, or sluggish?Could your fatigue and brain fog be connected to lymphatic stagnation?What simple habits could help support your lymphatic system?
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.
The lymphatic system plays an important role in immune health, inflammation balance, and detox pathways. Unlike the circulatory system, it relies on movement and hydration to circulate lymph fluid.
When lymphatic flow slows down, it can contribute to fatigue, brain fog, puffiness, and inflammation.
In this episode we talk about simple ways to support lymphatic flow through daily habits like dry brushing, gentle movement, hydration, lymphatic massage, and herbal lymphatic support.
 
Resources and Links Mentioned
Chronic Health Coachinghttps://ashleybraden.com/coaching
Magnesium Cream HERE
Lymphatic Cream HERE
Natural Product store: https://payhip.com/hearthwellnaturals
203. Is Your House Too Chaotic to Be Productive? Try THIS Nervous System-Friendly Approach to Get Things Done
195. Brain Fog and Fatigue? How Simplifying Decisions Helps Boost Energy
Connect With Me
Contact: hello@ashleybraden.com
Facebook Page: 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 and community
Book a 1:1 Chronic Health Coaching session
 

210. Simple Ways to Create Emotional Safety at Home for Your Neurodivergent Child

Hey friend, 
What helps your kids feel emotionally safe at home?How does the environment of your home affect your children’s nervous systems?Could small shifts in your home help everyone feel calmer?
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.
In last week’s episode we talked about making your home a soft place to land for you as a mom by reducing environmental stress.
In this episode, we expand that idea and talk about how creating emotional safety for your kids can transform the entire atmosphere of your home.
When children feel safe and supported, their nervous systems regulate more easily — and that regulation affects everyone in the household. Small environmental shifts can support emotional regulation, reduce stress, and help your home feel calmer for both parents and kids.
Resources and Links Mentioned
Chronic Health Coachinghttps://ashleybraden.com/coaching
Magnesium Cream HERE
Lymphatic Cream HERE
Natural Product store: https://payhip.com/hearthwellnaturals
191. Tired All the Time? This Simple Habit Helps Chronic Illness Moms Feel Better Fast
189. 4 Tips for When Your Neurodivergent Child Doesn’t Sleep and Chronic Illness Slows Recovery
Connect With Me
Contact: hello@ashleybraden.com
Facebook Page: 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 and community
Book a 1:1 Chronic Health Coaching session

209. 4 Nighttime Habits That Might Be Disrupting Your Sleep and Leaving You Exhausted

Hey friend, 
Do you ever feel exhausted even after getting a full night of sleep?
Have you ever wondered if your nighttime habits might be keeping your nervous system alert?
Could small changes to your nighttime environment help your body get deeper, more restorative sleep?
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.
Many moms struggle with sleep issues, fatigue, and feeling like their nervous system never fully settles at night.
In this episode, I talk about several small nighttime habits that may be quietly keeping your body in alert mode instead of allowing it to fully rest and recover.
We discuss phone proximity during sleep, blue light exposure, notifications during the night, and the “on-call” mindset many moms carry into bedtime.
You’ll learn simple ways to adjust your nighttime environment so your nervous system can move into deeper, more restorative sleep.
Resources and Links Mentioned
Chronic Health Coachinghttps://ashleybraden.com/coaching
Magnesium Cream HERE
Lymphatic Cream HERE
Natural Product store: https://payhip.com/hearthwellnaturals
191. Tired All the Time? This Simple Habit Helps Chronic Illness Moms Feel Better Fast
189. 4 Tips for When Your Neurodivergent Child Doesn’t Sleep and Chronic Illness Slows Recovery
Connect With Me
Contact: hello@ashleybraden.com
Facebook Page: 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 and community
Book a 1:1 Chronic Health Coaching session

208. Chronic Stress at Home? 4 Small Shifts That Calm Your Nervous System

Hey friend, 
Does your home sometimes feel like another source of stress instead of a place to rest?
Do clutter, noise, and constant decisions make you feel even more overwhelmed when you’re already exhausted?
Have you wished your home could feel more like a soft place to land at the end of the day?
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.
When you’re already dealing with fatigue, brain fog, and the mental load of raising kids, your home environment can either support your nervous system or add more stress.
In this episode, I talk about simple ways to make your home feel more peaceful — without needing a perfectly clean or organized house.
You’ll learn why small environmental changes matter, how reducing decision fatigue can protect your energy, and how creating even one calm space in your home can help your nervous system settle.
This episode also connects to the Power 9 habits and how your environment can support stress relief, emotional regulation, and better recovery.
 
Resources and Links Mentioned
Chronic Health Coachinghttps://ashleybraden.com/coaching
Magnesium Cream HERE
Lymphatic Cream HERE
Natural Product store: https://payhip.com/hearthwellnaturals
196. Why Emotional Stress Turns Into Pain and Inflammation and How to Feel Better
192. 3 Fast Stress Relief Tips to Support Your Nervous System When Parenting a Neurodivergent Child
Connect With Me
Contact: hello@ashleybraden.com
Facebook Page: 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 and community
Book a 1:1 Chronic Health Coaching session