You're Not Lazy, You're Low on Resources: The Mental Load of Motherhood and How to Reclaim Your Energy

We’ve all heard it, maybe from someone else, maybe from the relentless voice in our own heads: “Why can’t I just get it together?” But if you’re pregnant, postnatal, breastfeeding, or somewhere in between, here’s the truth you won’t find on most wellness labels: you’re not lazy. You’re low on resources. And it's not your fault.

In this blog, we’re unpacking what the mental load of motherhood really feels like, how it impacts your physical energy, and what you can actually do about it, starting with hydration and small, daily acts of support.

What Is the Mental Load?

The mental load refers to the often-invisible labour of managing household tasks, child-related responsibilities, emotional regulation, planning ahead, and decision-making, usually while also navigating work, identity shifts, and healing.

In a 2022 survey by Peanut (a social network for mothers), 91% of UK mothers reported that they bear the brunt of the mental load in their household, and 67% said it negatively affects their mental health.

And it’s not just mental, it’s physical, too. Brain fog, fatigue, irritability, and even dehydration are often downstream symptoms of being chronically "on."

The Real Energy Drain: You're Not Broken, You're Overloaded

We live in a world that applauds doing it all, but rarely makes space for mothers to actually have what they need.

If you’re waking up tired, forgetting things constantly, snapping at people you love, or feeling like you’re failing, it’s likely not a motivation issue. You’re probably:

• Sleep-deprived (obvious but brutal)
  
  

• Undernourished or dehydrated
  
  

• Mentally overstimulated with too many tabs open
  
  

• Emotionally drained from trying to hold everything together
  
  

“I remember walking into the kitchen and forgetting why I was there. I wasn’t lazy, I was depleted.” – Real story from an Isomum community member

This kind of depletion is especially common in early pregnancy (thanks, hormones and nausea), the third trimester (when the physical demands peak), and the fourth trimester (where nobody else seems to understand how hard you’re trying just to survive).

Hydration and Energy: What’s the Connection?

Here’s where it gets practical. One of the most overlooked contributors to fatigue and mental fog in mothers is dehydration.

According to the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG), staying hydrated during pregnancy is vital, especially as your blood volume increases and your body works harder to support you and your baby. 

Even mild dehydration can affect:

In one clinical study published by Nutrients, pregnant women who were adequately hydrated performed better on cognitive tests and reported higher mood scores than those who weren’t. 

You’re Not Meant to Do This Alone

We need to start normalising what’s actually normal in motherhood: feeling stretched thin, needing support, and not being able to push through every day like nothing’s changed.

Darcey, our founder, didn’t build Isomum from a place of polish and profit, she built it from the trenches of real motherhood.

“There were days I was seeing patients on the ward, breastfeeding in the middle of the night, studying for my Masters during the pandemic, and building Isomum in scraps of time. I wasn’t superhuman. I was surviving, and I knew other women needed real tools to feel supported too.”

It’s time to shift the narrative from “push through” to “let’s replenish what’s missing.”

Small Shifts That Can Reclaim Your Energy

No, we’re not about to suggest a 10-step routine or an 8-hour spa day (though wouldn’t that be nice?). We’re here for real-life support that fits into actual motherhood, not Instagram-perfect moments.

Here are 5 realistic steps to start reclaiming your energy:

1. Hydrate First Thing (Even Before Coffee)

Your body wakes up dehydrated. Start your day with a glass of water or an electrolyte-rich drink like Isomum to gently rehydrate your system before adding caffeine.

Tip: Keep a bottle on your nightstand so it’s the first thing you reach for.

2. Use the "Pause & Check-In" Method

Set a reminder on your phone every 3–4 hours: Am I hungry, thirsty, emotionally tapped out? You’ll be surprised how often your body is signalling more than you realise.

3. Simplify One Thing a Day

You don’t need to conquer the list. Choose one thing you’ll do less of today. Order dinner, leave the laundry, or cancel that call. Your energy isn’t infinite.

4. Share the Mental Load, Out Loud

Say it. Delegate it. Drop it. Whether with a partner, friend, or support group, voicing your load takes away its silent weight.

5. Add, Don’t Subtract

Instead of focusing on cutting things out, focus on adding one small supportive ritual, like a 3-minute stretch, a drink that actually replenishes, or 5 minutes of silence.

What’s in Isomum (And Why It Helps)

We designed Isomum to be more than a hydration product, it’s a practical, science-backed way to help mothers feel just a little bit more human.

Each sachet is:

• Formulated by midwives with pregnancy and postpartum safety in mind
  
  

• Packed with electrolytes, Vitamin C, magnesium, and other gentle nutrients
  
  

• Free from artificial sweeteners, fillers, and harsh additives
  
  

• Designed to support energy, hydration, and cognitive function
  
  

“I tried it in my second trimester after throwing up daily, and it helped more than anything else. My nausea eased and I had energy to walk my dog again.” – Customer feedback

Let’s Normalise Asking for Help

You’re not meant to feel flatlined all the time. Your body is working overtime, your mind is carrying a quiet load, and rest alone isn’t always enough.

We see you. And we’re here for more than words, we’re here with real-world, practical support for the hardest and most transformative chapters of your life.

Let’s Recap: You’re Not Lazy, You’re…

• Depleted from doing too much

• Navigating real symptoms that deserve attention

• Deserving of hydration, nourishment, and rest

• Not alone

Ready to Feel a Bit More Like You?

Try Isomum today, hydration with purpose, created by midwives who’ve lived the reality of motherhood.
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