The Cognitive Coach

10/14/2026

10/13/2026

Ever walk into a room and forget why you went there? Or lose your train of thought halfway through a conversation?
For individuals with ADHD, these everyday moments can be connected to challenges with working memory, one of the brain’s executive functions.
Working memory allows us to temporarily hold information in mind while using it. We rely on it to follow directions, complete multistep tasks, stay engaged in conversations, and remember what we were about to do.
When working memory is challenged, it can look like forgetfulness, distraction, or not paying attention.
But it’s not always about how hard someone is trying. It’s about how efficiently the brain is managing information in the moment.
Understanding the role of working memory helps us move beyond simply telling someone to “pay attention” or “try harder” and toward developing strategies that support everyday functioning.
Because understanding why something is difficult is often the first step toward figuring out what to do about it.
TheCognitiveCoach

10/08/2026

Imagine wearing a weighted vest you can’t take off. 🏋🏻‍♀️
Each instruction, interruption and unfinished task adds another weight. Eventually, even something simple can feel harder than it looks.
That’s one way to picture cognitive overload: the demands in front of you exceed what you can comfortably manage in that moment.🧠
For someone with ADHD, it may show up as losing track of instructions, struggling to choose a starting point or feeling overwhelmed by one more request.
The answer isn’t always “push harder.” Sometimes it’s reduce the load:
Write down what you’re trying to hold in mind. 📝
Focus on one clear next action. 🏃🏽
Reduce competing distractions. 🧘🏼‍♀️
Take a brief pause before the next demand. ⏱️.
What adds the most weight to your day?

10/07/2026

You can care about a task and still struggle to start it.
For someone with ADHD, “work on the report” may hide several decisions: Which part comes first? Where is the information? How long will it take? What can wait?
Instead of asking yourself to finish the whole thing, try defining the first visible action: open the document and write one heading. Then give yourself a short window to begin.
That small step won’t be the right strategy for everyone. But it can turn “I need to do this” into something you can actually start.
What helps you get past the starting line?

10/05/2026

“I always got good grades. I couldn’t have ADHD.”
 
For some adults, strong grades or years of getting things done covered up how much effort it took. Then life got more complicated: work, appointments, a household, relationships, and nobody else setting the deadlines. The old workarounds stopped holding.
 
That story is not a diagnosis. Difficulty with attention or organization can have other causes, including poor sleep, anxiety, depression or stress. A qualified healthcare provider can look at the full history and determine what is going on.
 
This ADHD Awareness Month, let’s replace “You did well before, so nothing is wrong” with a better question: What is harder now, and what support would make daily life work better?
 
If that question has been on your mind, consider bringing specific examples from home and work to a healthcare professional.
 

09/29/2026

One of my favorite things about brain health is that it benefits everyone.
Whether you’re recovering from an injury or trying to perform at your highest level, the fundamentals remain remarkably similar.
The basics matter.
Which brain health habit do you want to improve this month?

09/24/2026

Concussion recovery isn’t just physical or cognitive.
Feeling frustrated, worried, or disconnected can also be part of the experience.
Acknowledging those emotions, and having support, can make recovery feel less isolating.
What’s one way teammates can better support an injured athlete?

09/22/2026

The brain doesn't heal in isolation.
Everything from hydration to stress management can influence how you feel and function during recovery.
The strongest recovery plans look at the whole picture.
Which recovery habit is hardest for you to stay consistent with?

09/21/2026

Recovery can feel unpredictable.
Some days you’ll feel like yourself. Other days may feel harder.
That doesn’t always mean you’re moving backward.
Healing is rarely a straight line, and understanding that can reduce unnecessary frustration.
Have you ever experienced progress that wasn’t perfectly linear?

09/15/2026

Sleep supports memory, learning, emotional regulation, and recovery.
If your brain is trying to heal, quality sleep isn’t optional—it’s one of the most important parts of the process.
Protect your recovery by protecting your sleep.
What’s your biggest sleep challenge?