Five months, a big move, a new job—and the biggest change of all: becoming parents. We’re back with a candid look at how the early months of parenthood reshape your health—sleep, stress, and the subtle ways decision fatigue hijacks your day. As new adoptive parents, we compare what worked, what didn’t, and how small choices stack up when life runs on 90-minute intervals.

We break down the physiology of broken sleep, why cortisol sticks around when you’re always on alert, and how stress drains willpower and fuels poor choices. Then we pivot to practical fixes that fit newborn chaos: full-night trade-offs, simple sleep hygiene, and light exercise like stroller walks that lower blood pressure and steady mood. We also flag warning signs of sleep apnea and when to get screened.

Mental health sits at the core. We talk openly about postpartum depression, how screening has evolved, and why asking for help is strength, not failure. Community becomes medicine—family, friends, faith, and neighbors—and we share what rebuilding support looked like after moving away.

Finally, we explore research linking parenthood to meaning and longevity, and the small habits that bring back balance: prepping the diaper bag at night, easy meals on autopilot, and giving yourself grace to drop what doesn’t matter.

If you’re a new parent—or love one—this episode blends science, strategy, and solidarity. Subscribe, share with a 2 a.m. friend, and leave your best tip—we’ll feature our favorites in a future episode.

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