In “What Caregiving Does to Your Brain — And Why It Matters,” Barb Kreisman delves into the real neuro-cognitive impact of caregiving, validating what many caregivers experience — feeling mentally foggy, overwhelmed, or “less sharp” — as more than just imagination. The piece explains how chronic stress, disrupted sleep, and constant decision-making place the brain under sustained strain, affecting memory, attention, mood, and long-term cognitive health — and emphasizes that understanding these effects can help caregivers better support their own brain health.