You’ve probably experienced it, perhaps towards the end of a busy week of work, or even on a weekend afternoon. It’s that frustrating feeling when you walk in a specific room to do something and then completely forget what you came in for. Or the embarrassment you feel when you see a work colleague out of the office and can’t immediately remember their name. Both of these, along with fatigue and difficulty in focusing on a task, describe the temporary cognitive decline known as brain fog. Thankfully, there are steps you can take to return your brain to its regularly sharp, focused self.
1. Take Supplements
A healthy diet is a no-brainer (pun intended) when it comes to keeping your mind sharp. Eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, fish and lean protein helps to keep your body and brain operating at peak efficiency. However, you can’t always get all of the nutrients your body needs from the food you eat. There are many available supplements to help brain fog, such as Provasil, Omega-3/DHA, B vitamins, choline, ginkgo and cocoa flavanols.
2. Reduce Stress
If you notice you only experience brain fog in times of stress, the cure for you would be finding ways to cope with your anxiety in a healthy way. Taking a break for lunch, watching a mindless TV show or playing a game on your smartphone allows your thinking process to slow down and gives your brain a much-needed rest. You’ll find you’re more productive when you go back to your responsibilities after the break. Other possible stress relievers are taking a nature walk, a hot bath, prayer, meditation or a massage.
3. Restful Sleep
If your brain fog tends to show up when you aren’t getting enough sleep, fatigue could be your culprit. Sleep deprivation is known to cause sluggishness and memory problems. Make it a priority to get seven to nine hours of restful sleep each night. If you have a tough time turning your mind off to fall asleep, try out one of the relaxation apps available on your smartphone to hear a story read in a soothing voice, listen to a lullaby or drift off to the sounds of nature, like rain, crickets, a campfire or a bubbling fountain.
4. Aerobic Exercise
Getting regular aerobic exercise boosts the brain health of adults of any age. Any activity that gets your heart rate up counts, including dancing, cycling, jogging, or walking. Pick an exercise you enjoy doing and stick with it to get the full benefit for your brain as well as your body.
If your brain fog creeps in suddenly while you’re at work, a fast solution is to get up and take a walk around the office or building. A study by the Journal of Experimental Psychology found walking increases your creative thinking by stimulating the brain to release new ideas.
The next time you find yourself feeling scatter-brained and unable to focus, try one of these four ways to help get your mind back to full brainpower.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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