Brain fog can be characterized by a lack of concentration, feeling groggy, fatigued, an inability to make decisions, frequent headaches, and nausea, to name a few.
Is this something you struggle with regularly?
A few common causes of brain fog include nutrient deficiency, a microbiome imbalance, lack of proper sleep, ingesting an abundance of sugar and carbs, a thyroid condition, or even depression.
Inactivity and chronic stress can also unleash brain fog, so there are a lot of factors at play when nailing down what's causing your brain fog.
Luckily, you don't have to keep your head in the clouds for too long and thank goodness because there's nothing better than a crystal clear head.
Here are some ways to combat brain fog:
Try intermittent fasting
It's well-known for helping you lose stubborn weight, but intermittent fasting can also improve your neurological well-being. You can ease into it by extending the time frame between the last meal you eat in one day and the first meal you eat on the next day. A popular intermittent fasting method is 16:8, which means you're fasting for 16 hours and eating within an 8-hour window. For example, this would pan out by eating dinner at 7pm and not eating again until 11am the next day. Read more about IF HERE.
Avoid Sedentary behavior
Through no fault of our own, many of our jobs require us to log long hours behind a desk. Increased activity levels are known for boosting your mental acuity, so even if your schedule truly is packed, there are still things you can do to get moving. Take a 10-minute walk around the office a few times a day to stretch your legs and get your blood moving, or spend your lunch break getting some activity in. You can even invest in a DeskCycle, and you can even get a workout in AT your desk. It's a small under the desk bicycle that allows you to "ride" a bike while seated at your desk.
Sleep on it
I don't need to tell you your body needs enough sleep to function properly. Rest is one of the most crucial aspects of your overall health, so get that sleep you need by going to bed a little earlier every night until you're getting more Zzz's. If you have trouble sleeping soundly, investigate some natural ways to get a proper nights sleep, and see what works best for you.
Get into meditation
It can be hard to shut off the noise in your head, which is why many people feel like giving up when they first try meditation. Instead, download some healing frequencies that help you tune into your mind. There are also some fantastic apps you can download on your phone, such as Headspace and Calm, which can help you become a meditation pro.
Make the food you eat count
Food really is the way to balance your health. You need to make sure you are getting enough of the food your brain needs to work optimally. Eat omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and whole foods loaded with vitamins and minerals for your best brain health. When most people focus on their health, they often put more emphasis on their physical aspects. But well-rounded health comes from balancing both physical and mental.
Your gut needs rebalancing
Fermentation in the gut produces gasses and chemicals which can cloud your thinking making you feel like you've got cotton in your brain. A diet too high in processed sugars and carbohydrates are a big problem for the gut because these foods feed bad bacteria and yeasts in the GI tract that produce harmful byproducts. Cutting back on refined foods and adjusting your eating habits by including probiotic-rich foods, fiber, and protein can be very helpful. Anti-fungal foods like coconut oil, MCT oil, and fresh garlic and onions are very beneficial for helping destroy pathogens.
Give some of these tips a try and see what helps lift the brain fog for you.