Why are so many people in the local community complaining of brain fog? ASHLEY MILN explores how to lift the fog and boost your brain for optimal health and well-being.
If you’ve ever found yourself feeling forgetful, lacking mental clarity, or having difficulty concentrating, you might be suffering from brain fog. It’s a feeling of mental ‘fogginess’ that can leave you exhausted and struggling to perform to the best of your ability.
What is brain fog?
While not an actual medical condition, brain fog can affect our ability to think clearly, with many people often mistaking the symptoms as early onset dementia.
Brain fog is experienced by both men and women, with those who most commonly experience brain fog including pregnant women, perimenopausal or menopausal women, and those with long Covid.
While the verdict is still out regarding its definitive cause, some people believe that brain fog is caused by high levels of inflammation or hormonal changes, which play a major role in determining one’s mood, energy, and focus.
Common culprits include a lack of sleep or exercise, stress, over exertion, anxiety, or a deficiency in essential vitamins and nutrients.
How to lift the fog
To reduce brain fog, it’s important to take a holistic look at one’s lifestyle to determine what could be negatively impacting cognitive functioning and overall health and wellbeing.
Make dietary changes and choose supplements to aid cognitive function.
We all know that having a balanced diet and ensuring that we’re getting all our vitamins and nutrients is key, but did you know that a poor diet or a lack of essential nutrients can contribute to brain fog?
Foods that we should look to avoid or reduce in our diets as they are known irritants, include alcohol, caffeine, and highly processed foods.
Vitamins and minerals that help to combat brain fog include Vitamin B12, Vitamin D, Iron, and Magnesium. Vitamin B12 is critical for neurological health, helping to deliver oxygen flow to the body’s organs and tissues.
Without it one can feel weak and fatigued. Magnesium and Vitamin D help to support cognitive functioning, while Iron aids memory and focus. Women often require more Iron than men – especially during menstruation.
Other vitamins worth considering – all of which are known for their positive effects on helping to benefit brain health and aid with the symptoms of brain fog – include Vitamin C, Omega-3 (fish oils), Gingko Biloba, L-Theanine, and Ginseng.
- Get moving
We all know that exercise is good for our body, but it’s also good for our minds. Exercise encourages the flow of oxygen-rich blood throughout our bodies – and our brains – helping to boost brain cell performance.
- Count some sheep
Lack of sleep not only leaves us feeling exhausted but can also affect our memory and our ability to concentrate during our daily activities. A great excuse for a cheeky snooze!
- Practice mindfulness
The power of mindfulness shouldn’t be overlooked. It has a myriad of benefits for mental health, including helping to improve focus and cognitive performance, while enabling people to feel less stressed and more present -a win win for brain health.
By taking steps to improve our overall health and wellbeing, we can boost our mental clarity and help to lift the fog once and for all.
The information contained in this article is for informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice.
If you have questions regarding your medical condition, or if you’re finding that your brain fog or cognitive functioning is negatively impacting your daily life, always consult a physician or qualified health provider.
