Over the past few years, I have experienced a confuddledness. Sometimes, difficult to focus on what I need or want to achieve, and sometimes just easily distracted.
Brain fog is the feeling of being mentally “foggy.” It’s not a disease, but it can be caused by many different things. Brain fog is common in people with chronic illnesses such as fibromyalgia, migraines or diabetes. But it can also happen to anyone who’s stressed out or has too much on their plate!
The brain is the most complex organ in the human body and controls everything we think, feel and do. It’s responsible for our memory and enables us to learn new things every day. The brain also sends signals to control our body functions, from breathing to feelings of hunger.
Brain fog can be a symptom of many conditions, including:
- Migraines (with aura)
- Sleep deprivation or sleep apnea (breathing problems while sleeping)
- Anxiety disorders (such as generalized anxiety disorder)
Brain fog has a number of causes, including medications, poor diet, depression and stress.
Brain fog can be caused by a number of factors, including lack of sleep, poor diet, depression and stress. Anxiety and brain fog go hand in hand, so if you are experiencing anxiety, then confusion can occur.
Brain fog is a condition that causes difficulty concentrating and remembering things. Your brain may feel like it’s in a fog when you can’t remember something that you normally would know easily or when you have trouble finding the right words to express yourself.
In addition to these signs and symptoms of brain fog, there are other possible causes. It’s important to note that brain fog doesn’t always have one single cause—it might result from several factors working together (or independently) at once.
Brain fog is also associated with depression, stress and a poor diet. These factors contribute to the brain being unable to focus because it’s processing too much information at once—a state that’s often referred to as “overstimulation”. This can lead to problems with memory and concentration that prevent you from thinking clearly.
We also know that COVID can have an impact on how our brain functions. Some people have experienced increased fogginess having had COVID, and we are starting to see research that supports the linkage with a dysregulation of myelin,
The Importance of Planning
First, know what you need. Do your best to make a list of items that you will need for the week.
It will save you time and energy if you go grocery shopping with a game plan in mind. When writing out your list, be sure not just to write down the food that’s on sale or looks good—but also include those items that won’t last long (fruits and vegetables), as well as foods that are easy to prepare (cooked meals). Consider how many times during the week you’ll be able to cook at home rather than eating out or ordering in; if it’s only two times, then plan accordingly by including easy-to-make dishes like sandwiches or salads on your menu.
Second: Know where and when everything is happening. One could argue that this is associated with time management. If you are aware of tomorrows meetings, then we can subconsciously set ourselves up for success. Knowing both where and when something is happening gives us peace of mind because we can prepare ourselves mentally for whatever comes next instead of panicking about unexpected surprises later on down the road.
Permission to Take It Easy.
Light exercise, healthy eating and getting enough sleep are all good ways to help clear up any brain fog you might be experiencing.
“Keep moving” is a good motto to live by, but it’s not always applicable. Sometimes you just need to rest and give your body the chance to recover from whatever’s going on. If you’re in a position where you can take time off work or school, then do so—you’ll be amazed at how much better you feel afterwards!
If taking time off isn’t an option right now (or if what’s wrong with your brain isn’t serious enough), try doing some light exercise instead of forcing yourself through difficult tasks. Even though they might make things worse temporarily due to increased blood pressure and heart rate caused by exertion, these effects dissipate quickly once the activity ceases.
The extra oxygenation that comes from working out will help clear up any foggy thinking caused by lack of sleep or poor dieting habits. In addition, being physically active helps improve mental clarity because physical activity stimulates growth hormones which help increase neurotransmitter levels in the brain.
The neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine are associated with alertness and wakefulness. They can help improve concentration as well as mental clarity, so this is one of the reasons why exercise helps when you are feeling tired or sleepy.
More serious – see a doctor.
If you suspect something more serious could be behind your lack of focus, you should see a doctor. A headache or fever could point to an infection that needs to be treated by a medical professional.
If you think you can handle the problem on your own and don’t have time for any lengthy doctor visits, here are some solutions that might help:
- Try taking small breaks throughout the day to rest and recharge.
- Drink plenty of water throughout the day (at least 8 glasses) so that dehydration doesn’t affect your mental state or ability to focus.
- Exercise regularly if it’s possible for you—even if it’s just taking a walk around the block every evening after work—to help relieve stress and improve overall mood.
- Get adequate sleep every night—at least 7 hours—to ensure that you are well-rested and ready to tackle the next day’s challenges.
- Make sure that you have plenty of natural light in your home or office so that you can get a healthy dose of vitamin D, which is important for mood regulation. Consider trying an all-natural supplement like Mind Water to help improve focus and concentration.
Change your diet.
- Eat healthy fats and protein: Research shows that eating plenty of healthy fats, like those found in nuts and olive oils, can help to improve cognitive performance. Eating a diet high in protein also supports brain health.
- Avoid refined carbohydrates: Refined carbs, such as white bread, white pasta and other processed foods containing added sugars or artificial sweeteners should be avoided as they’re digested quickly—causing spikes in blood sugar levels that decrease the amount of energy available to your brain cells.
- Avoid sugar and artificial sweeteners: The same goes for sugar-sweetened beverages like soda; all forms of alcohol are also on the no-no list due to their ability to cause dehydration which negatively impacts your ability to think clearly.
The impact of caffeine.
When you’re trying to clear your brain fog, it can be tempting to turn to caffeine. Caffeine is a stimulant that can temporarily boost energy and alertness—but it’s not the best way to get your energy moving.
Caffeine is addictive; if you rely on it too much, you may feel like you’re running on empty without it. Caffeine doesn’t help us fall asleep at night—in fact, some people find that consuming caffeine in the afternoon makes them more alert than usual when they lay down for bed at night. The result? You don’t sleep as well and end up feeling groggy the next day because of lack of restorative sleep time spent catching up on much-needed rest!
Caffeine can also lead to headaches or even racing heartbeats if you consume too much (which unfortunately happens all too often). In addition, drinking coffee or tea every day can lead to crashes later in the day or low energy levels during times when we need them most (like early in our mornings).
Brain fog is a common problem for many people, but getting enough sleep and regular exercise can help clear it up. We hope you’ve found some useful tips in this article that will help keep your mind sharp!
