Area of Speciality
‘Brain fog’ or ‘Mental Cloudiness’ makes you feel like you can’t concentrate... your thoughts are slow and muddled and the ‘fog’ just won't lift.
So why do we get brain fog? What are its main causes? And what can we do about it?
Stress
Stress can be a major contributor to brain fog. If you’re feeling stressed at work or at home, try to find ways to help manage the stress. This might mean taking more regular breaks, trying meditation, deep breathing, yoga, or other relaxation techniques.
Nutrient Deficiencies
Deficiencies in B3, B12, D, Iron, and Magnesium can all contribute to brain fog. Consider how what food your eating - are you having enough fruit or getting enough sunlight. If you're unsure, check with a doctor or nutritionist to find out if your levels are low in any key vitamin.
Lack of Sleep
Sleep is essential for our minds to function correctly. If you don't have a regular sleeping pattern or your sleep is disturbed frequently during the night, this can really affect your state of mind. Aim for 7-8 hours of uninterrupted sleep each night with a regular sleeping pattern.
Lack of Exercise
Exercise is good for the brain as well as the body, it can reduce stress, improve mood, and increase mental clarity. Aim to get at least 30 minutes of exercise each day!
Dehydration
Dehydration can cause fatigue, headaches, and makes it hard to concentrate. Make sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day and not just coffee, tea or sugary drinks.
Recent Lifestyle Changes
What has changed in your life recently that might have led to this? Could it be an increase in sugar intake, taking up vaping, or changing jobs? Ask yourself when it first started to happen.
How to Measure Progress
With brain fog, it's very hard to understand if the problem is getting better or worse, but it's important to remember that some days will always be better than others, that’s normal!
One way to measure your progress is to keep a log of how you feel each day along with the changes you have made that day. This way, you can track your progress and find out what works best for you.
If the problem is persistent?
If you find that this feeling doesn't go away after making these changes and you've had this feeling persistently over several weeks or months, it's important to seek professional help.
An outside perspective can help find the underlying cause so you can get better!
