Cherelle Mukoko, 36, was finding life as a new mum increasingly hard. The mother-of-two says she felt 'pushed to the limits' with insomnia and exhaustion, and even wondered whether she had made a terrible mistake by having children. Taking one common mineral, however, has changed her life.
A downward spiral
Before her daughter Zuri was born, Cherelle had been active, waking at 6am to travel an hour just to run in Hyde Park. But after having her first child, she struggled. 'I felt completely drained,' Cherelle says. 'The lack of sleep was overwhelming. I would wake up already exhausted, dreading the day because I just didn’t have the energy.'
'Everything felt harder than it should have been. Even simple daily tasks felt like a struggle, and it was difficult to feel motivated or even feel like myself,' she adds.
Having spent most of her life looking forward to becoming a parent, the months of anxiety-filled, sleepless nights began to take their toll. Cherelle, who lives with her husband in south London, said: 'I was constantly on edge, always thinking about what I had to do next. My nervous system just wouldn’t switch off. Some nights I didn’t get any sleep at all. I was constantly on high alert, sleeping with one eye open to make sure nothing was going wrong.'
The relentless cycle of exhaustion and anxiety pushed Cherelle to her limits. 'There was a huge mental load. On top of everything else, I wanted to show up as the best version of myself to the outside world. But when you’re so tired, it’s hard to find clarity or strength. It felt like I was constantly running on empty,' she explains.
As the sleepless nights continued, Cherelle began to spiral. 'I started questioning everything, all my life decisions. Was I truly cut out to be a mum? Had I made a terrible mistake? I’d wanted children for as long as I could remember but being on high alert all the time left me completely overstimulated. My nervous system just wouldn’t shut down. I was on my knees, absolutely exhausted,' she recalls.
Cherelle said: 'I told myself I couldn’t do it and I became very pessimistic.' With her husband at work, things at times felt overwhelming. 'I remember messaging him saying I needed to get away. I was at my absolute worst. But I knew I had no choice but to keep going, because everyone around me was relying on me. The pressure of motherhood felt so heavy, and I didn’t feel like I was able to carry it.'
Expert insight
Well Pharmacist Wendy Lee said: 'The experience Cherelle describes is one many experts recognise as a very real and often underestimated aspect of early motherhood. The transition into becoming a new mum places an extraordinary load on both the body and mind.'
'Sleep deprivation alone is one of the biggest factors that impact mood regulation, concentration, and emotional resilience. When a mother is waking multiple times a night, often for months, the brain doesn’t get the chance to properly reset. Over time, this can lead to heightened anxiety, irritability, and a sense of overwhelm,' Lee explains.
Phenomenal results
In a bid to get her old self back, Cherelle spent a weekend away at a health retreat where she focused on relaxation and renewal. It was here she discovered a remedy that revolutionised her life. She said: 'One of the practitioners at the retreat recommended I try magnesium, as a spray to start with, to help with my feelings of anxiety and the sleeplessness. I took their advice, the results were phenomenal. I slept the best I’ve slept for years, solidly and deeply all night long.'
Unsure whether it was a combination of the setting and the break from her family that had relaxed her, she tried the spray for a second night. 'Again, I had the same deep sleep all night, and I felt so calm even after the initial spray. It was wonderful,' she says.
Reunited with her family, Cherelle went on to take Magnesium Glycinate capsules one every night ongoing, and her sleep pattern has improved beyond recognition. 'Since I’ve been taking magnesium, things have shifted in a really noticeable way. The biggest change has been my sleep. I’m finally getting proper rest, and that has had a ripple effect on everything else. I can wake up and not feel exhausted... and the school run no longer feels like a mountain to climb,' she says.
Science behind magnesium
Now a mother-of-two, Cherelle is making the most of spending time with her six-month-old Zuri, after dropping her five-year-old at school. 'I can go for a walk with my baby, and I even have the energy to go to the gym. That feeling alone is huge. It feels like I have a part of myself back - I feel more capable, more present, and more in control of my day. Motherhood is still beautifully chaotic, but now it feels balanced with purpose. I am able to approach each day with intention, for my children and for myself. I can set boundaries, work towards goals, and actually enjoy the process. I love creating, especially with my kids, and now I have the energy to fully be in those moments with them,' she shares.
Wendy Lee said: 'It is believed that magnesium can help individuals experiencing tiredness and fatigue as it supports energy release. It can help with sleep by promoting relaxation and calming the nervous system, improving both sleep onset and sleep quality. Magnesium may also support neuromuscular function and recovery, working as a natural counterbalance to calcium - which triggers muscle spasms - to help muscles relax.'
