It’s the opposite of feeling sharp and in tune. It’s that feeling when you have a hard time focusing or remembering stuff (like that … whatever it was … you were going to bring to work). Brain fog is the name we use to describe a mushy, sluggish, fuzzy mind. What is brain fog?įirst, here’s what it’s not: a defined medical condition. We talked to some top-notch brain experts to get the low-down on brain fog, and strategies that may give you some relief. ![]() Brain fog, or difficulty thinking or concentrating, can be caused by many things, and can also be a symptom of long COVID. But stress is only one of the things that can lead to that fuzzy-mind feeling. This scenario - and c’mon, we’ve all been there - isn’t surprising, because one big cause of brain fog is stress, and there’s sure enough of that to go around these days, even just during those times when you’re running late. And now, it’s lost now in the mist of brain fog. A moment ago, whatever it was seemed important enough to stop you in your tracks. And absolutely, try to put the phone down for a few hours a day to prevent information overload.You’re late for work, and as you head out the door, you run back inside because you forgot your…… what? What the heck did you forget? You’ve got your phone, your keys, your laptop. Dow recommends meditating for 12 minutes every day (although even a few minutes will help). ![]() Meditation can also help clear your head. "By minimizing those stretches of work time, you alleviate the stress on your brain." According to Bridges, research suggests that working in 90-minute intervals, and then taking a break to get water, take a short walk, or make a phone call, can help improve your brain power. "It's too much for our brains."Īccording to experts, we have something called ultradian rhythms, which are cycles that play out during our waking hours. "When you have too much of a cognitive load-meaning you're doing too many things at once, or have too much on your mind-it taxes our mental reserves," says Bridges. These days, our brains are inundated with information from the news, social media, and the constant influx of texts and emails flooding our smartphones. By giving your body a break from digesting, you're actually giving your brain a break as well," Bridges says. "Intermittent fasting causes new brain cell growth, called neurogenesis. Intermittent fasting-limiting your eating window to window of time such as eight or 10 hours per day-may also improve brain function. "You'll also want to make sure you're getting enough omega-3s, either from clean seafood or supplements, which can also remedy brain fog." ![]() "Eating a variety of fruits and vegetables every day, and taking prebiotics and probiotics, can introduce healthy bacteria into the gut, which helps your body better produce those brain-boosting neurotransmitters," explains Dow. While you may not want to skip your favorite goodies entirely, experts recommend incorporating more anti-inflammatory foods or brain-boosting drinks into your diet. In fact, about 95 percent of dopamine and serotonin (the feel-good neurotransmitters) are produced in your intestinal tract. That "crash" is not only physical, but mental as well. It's why you may often feel sleepy after a sugary treat or carb-heavy meal. "There is a ton of emerging research suggesting that the sugar and processed foods, which feed the bad bacteria in our gut, lead to inflammation not only in the body, but in the brain," explains Sarah Bridges, PhD, a Minnesota-based psychologist. Oddly enough, poor gut health is one of the leading brain fog causes.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |