How to get rid of brain fog when you just can’t think straight?
Well, brain fog is a buzz killer.
Imagine attending your office meeting from starting to end and still not retaining even a word everyone said.
Brain fog can have various causes, but they all make you feel out of place.
And we all understand how important it is to have a healthy mental state.
Your unbalanced mental fitness can harm your work, relationship and even your health.
But wait…what does brain fog mean?
Ah! Let’s jump onto that real quick.
Read below to understand the in’s and out’s of brain fog.
What is brain fog, and how does it feel?
Brain fog can be best described as the lack of mental clarity.
It feels like your intellectual tissues have been replaced by dense cotton balls.
Just like you can’t see clearly on a foggy day, you can’t think clearly with a foggy head.
Apart from that, you might be facing issues like:
- Trouble putting your thoughts together.
- Having a hard time focusing on something or memorizing anything.
- Constant fatigue.
- Not feeling motivated even towards the things you usually love doing.
- Every thought seems difficult to grasp.
But what causes it?
Does it happen on its own, or is there anything that triggers it?
Let’s find out!
What causes brain fog?
There are plenty of reasons and explanations related to why brain fog occurs.
Many issues like stress, hormonal changes, thyroid disbalances, sleep disturbances, inactivity etc., can cause brain fog.
But once you find out the leading cause, you can work on fixing it.
So let’s understand in detail about these causes.
How to get rid of brain fog cause #1: Stress and chronic fatigue syndrome
Stress is such a common term!
And we all experience a little stress at times.
But do you know chronic stress can be dangerous not just for your body but also for your head?
When your brain is stressed, it becomes 10x times difficult to think, focus and reason.
If your stress levels are constantly high, it can lead to:
- Chronic fatigue syndrome.
- High blood pressure.
- Depression
- Weakened immune system.
- Oh, and also brain fog.
How to get rid of brain fog cause #2: Lack of sleep
We all know what sleeplessness looks like!
Feeling tired and angry all the time.
But do you know your sleeplessness can affect your thinking abilities?
Oh yes!
Lack of sleep can cause blurred thinking.
And not just this, it can also interfere with your brain functioning.
Your sleep time is when your body rejuvenates itself, and when you don’t get enough sleep, you are depriving yourself of that relaxation.
This lack adds to your brain fogginess.
How to get rid of brain fog cause #3: Hormonal changes
Our body has to go through hormonal changes throughout our lives.
Be it the beginning of our menstrual cycle, during pregnancy or postpartum menopause, or changes in our lifestyle and environment.
It leaves us with a bunch of hormonal imbalances.
And sometimes these imbalances create a fuss in our life like:
- Cloudy brain.
- Sleep disorders.
- Short-term cognitive impairment.
- Memory issues.
- Struggling to concentrate.
How to get rid of brain fog cause #4: Diet
Diet is a crucial element contributing to your brain’s health.
Vitamin B12 helps in building red blood cells and regulates your central nervous system. (1)
Lack of this vitamin can lower down your energy levels and amplify the feeling of exhaustion.
Even deficiency of Vitamin D is linked to cognitive disbalance.
Not just this, if you have food sensitivities, it can also lead to brain fogginess.
It’s better to remove these trigger foods from your diet.
How to get rid of brain fog cause #5: Medications
Some functional medicine, both prescription-based and over-the-counter, causes brain fog as a side effect.
But the effect lasts just for some time, and you become average.
But if the effect persists, you must consult a doctor or ask to lower down the dose.
How to get rid of brain fog cause #6: Medical conditions
Certain medical conditions can be a potential reason behind your brain fog.
Medical conditions that are linked to fluctuating glucose levels, tiredness, and inflammation cause mental fatigue.
Conditions like:
- Depression.
- Diabetes.
- Alzheimer’s disease.
- Parkinson’s disease.
- Arthritis or any other auto-immune disease.
Can cause consistent fatigue for as long as six months.
How to get rid of brain fog cause #7: Heavy metal exposure
You can find heavy metals almost everywhere.
Your makeup, food, and even your teeth fillings contain it.
The most common metals are:
- Mercury.
- Aluminum.
- Lead.
- Arsenic.
- Cesium.
- Thallium.
These metals in limited quantities are not hazardous to your health.
But the overtime accumulation of it can cause:
- Hormonal disbalance.
- Immune dysfunction.
- Brain fog.
- Blood pressure.
- Tiredness
It’s better to check the products you are using and the foods you are consuming.
What are the symptoms of brain fog?
Brain fog is not just about cloudy thinking; it comes up with a lot of issues like:
- Feeling of confusion.
- Low energy and recurring exhaustion.
- Take more time to do things you always do.
- Cognitive dysfunction.
- Memory problems.
- Problems with focus and concentration.
- Easily distracted.
- Having difficulty finding words.
- Having trouble organizing things.
- Headache.
- Not getting enough sleep.
- Mood swings.
- Absent-mindedness.
- Getting annoyed over petty things.
- Lack of motivation.
If you have been feeling fuzzy for quite a long time, it’s better to see a doctor.
The reason behind your cloudy thinking can be anything.
So it’s better to have a meeting with the doctor without any delay.
Your doctor will probably conduct a brain fog test.
This test includes information related to your:
- Medical condition.
- Mental health or brain functions.
- Diet.
- Physical activity.
How to get rid of brain fog?
Brain fog is something that can be the result of anything.
But how do we treat it?
Here’s how!
Let’s get going.
Find out the source
The first and most important stride to solving a problem is to find out its root cause.
The same is the case with treating this.
As you know, there are plenty of things that can fog the brain. (2)
But you need to figure out the leading cause behind the way you are feeling this way.
And once you’ve done that, you can efficiently work on removing it.
Feeling foggy and cloudy occasionally is a regular thing.
There are days when you can’t make enough time to sleep because the work deadlines are stressing you out.
It’s when the cloudy thinking kicks in as your mental fatigue reaches its peak.
But that’s a temporary thing and goes away in some time.
However, if it’s affecting you for a long time, you must start paying attention to it.
If you can’t recognize it on your own, take the help of an expert.
Book an appointment with the therapist or get your brain fog medically reviewed.
Get more sleep
Sleep is important for our brain and cognitive function.
And lack of sleep affects that miserably!
It doesn’t matter if you are feeling stressed or not.
Lack of sleep can take a toll on your mental health.
Not getting an ample amount of sleep for a day or two is a regular thing.
But if you’re constantly running low on sleep, you must sort that out for yourself before you start to see the negative impacts like (3)
- Irritability.
- Feeling tired and sleepy all day.
- Having issues concentrating.
We know caffeine helps you out.
But that’s not something that will work in the long term.
Try getting at least 7 hours of sleep daily, but you’ll need 9 hours for optimal function.
People with healthy sleep patterns also enjoy low risk of obesity as compared to the ones with unhealthy sleep patterns.
For healthy sleep, you also take the help of some technological devices. Here is a list of bedroom essentials that can get you the best sleep:
Essential #1: BrainTap (Takes you in a meditative state and brings mental clarity)
Tap If You Haven't Slept In Ages! Read braintap review
Essential #2: Chilipad Controls your mattress temperature for better sleep & thinking.
Good Mattress = Healthy Brain Read Chilipad Review
Essential #3: Muse headband Cancels the noise around you and in your head.
Clear Off All The Noise!! Read Musehead Review
Essential #4: SleepPhones Helps you sleep well and clears your head.
Clean My Head! Read SleepPhones review
Do something you enjoy
Stress is a common thing when life gets busier than usual.
Especially when you are new to work, you don’t know how to manage things out.
This chaos is where your biggest enemy appears- Stress!
And even though you do your best, work seems to feel impossible.
But how to deal with it?
Well, the best way to get over this vicious cycle is to make time to do something you love.
Try to take some time for yourself and do any activity you enjoy.
These small changes will improve your brainpower and will give your brain some time to relax. (4)
Meditate
When someone raises a question on how to achieve mental peace?
The first thing that hits our mind is – Meditation.
It’s the best way to improve your brain fitness and, of course, improve brain fog.
Meditation can refine many symptoms of brain fog like: (5)
- Improved cognitive function and other cognitive symptoms.
- Regulates and balances your emotions.
- Help reduce stress by lowering the stress hormones, thereby also improving your central nervous system.
- Reduces negative emotions.
- Makes you focus on the present.
- Improves your imagination and creativity.
- Regulates the endocrine system, which is responsible for the changes in hormone levels.
- Polishes your thinking.
- Better memory.
You can easily practice this at home using these simple tricks like:
- Diaphragmatic breathing.
- Self-hypnosis.
- Muscle relaxation.
- Autogenic technique.
- Emotional freedom technique.
Pay attention to your physical needs
Sunlight to plants is what food is to humans!
We function the best when we are following the proper diets.
But when your body does not get enough food or enough nutrients, it becomes difficult to function rightly.
A lack of nutrition can even amplify your brain fog and pose a threat on your brain like: (6)
- Restricts brain development.
- This leads to cognitive impairment.
- Makes it difficult for you to focus.
- Memorizing things becomes a tough job.
- You take time to decide even the simple things.
Also, feeling stressed and not eating better food is a vicious cycle.
Let us tell you how!
When you feel stressed and lethargic, cooking a meal becomes a hectic task.
So, you munch on snacks or junk.
And such foods don’t add any nutritional value to your body.
Instead, it makes you feel more tired and worsens your anxiety.
Anxiety can also affect your digestive system.
Remember when you skipped one meal and had the nauseous feeling for the rest of the day?
It was your anxiety that did its job!
So it’s better to take care of your health and opt for foods that help relieve stress.
Exercise
We all know about endorphins or the feel-good chemical.
Endorphins are stress killers.
And physical activity improves your endorphin levels.
It helps with more oxygen and glucose flowing in your brain.
Also, it comes with plenty of benefits like: (7)
- Burning down the cortisol levels in your body.
- Removing brain fog by reducing the stress hormones.
- Gives you cognitive benefits.
- Stimulates brain cell formation.
- Improves sleep.
- Refine your memory levels.
You don’t have to have a hefty workout to achieve this.
All you need is some kind of physical activity or movement like:
- A quick 15-minute walk in the neighborhood.
- A good stretch after sitting down for an hour.
Will do!
Inculcate this habit of regular exercise in your daily routine to save yourself from brain fog.
Take a break
Imagine being surrounded by deadlines!
You keep working even though your focus swings here and there.
But you don’t take a break thinking you’ll lose time.
But do you know what the reality is?
When you take short breaks, you improve your efficiency.
The reason is, even though your brain signals you for a recharge, you don’t do that.
And the result is you feel more anxious and fuzzy.
So it is advisable to take small breaks between your work.
Make a stress management plan
Stress is the biggest reason behind your cloudy thinking.
So, how to get rid of your brain fog?
And you must invest your time in understanding the root cause and formulating an entire proof plan on managing it.
Here are a few strategies that can be of great help in coping with it:
- Set boundaries for yourself.
- Make some time for self-care.
- Learn to say no.
- Start a journal and pen down your thoughts and emotions.
- Practice breathing exercises.
Also, some biohacking ways are of great help in relieving stress levels.
And trust us, it can make your life very easy.
Thank us later:)
Talk to your doctor
It is always a great idea to see a doctor, even when you know the reason behind your problem.
Brain fog can be an outcome of an underlying health condition.
So even if you feel that your brain fog is just the fruit of your anxiety levels, it’s better to talk to a doctor.
The reason is- Only a healthcare expert can help you rule out the absence of other causes.
Here are some potential causes behind your brain fog:
- Chemo brain – A side effect of chemotherapy.
- Anemia
- Vitamin deficiency, especially Vitamin B.
- Fibro fog for people with fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS).
- Lupus Fog.
- Thyroid imbalances.
- Hormonal imbalances.
Talk to your therapist
Though all the methods talk about getting rid of brain fog, we miss out on one crucial thing.
And that is finding a full-proof solution to our anxiety issues.
While the other solutions can be helpful, you can’t completely get rid of brain fog until you cope with your anxiety.
And how would you do that?
Just talk to a therapist.
Only a therapist can help you:
- Learn about what triggers you.
- Identify the unexplained emotions and other symptoms.
Brain fog can also be a result of depression.
So if you’re feeling low, it is better to talk to a therapist or a trained professional.
Presence of toxins in your home
Your home is not just your home.
It is home to hundreds and thousands of unregulated chemicals and toxins.
These can be present anywhere:
- In the foods, you eat.
- The water you drink.
- Even in the air, you breathe.
But the question is, where are these chemicals coming from?
The carpets, mattresses, and furniture release chemicals like formaldehyde and PCBs (Polychlorinated biphenyls).
Even the furniture and glass cleaners have plenty of chemicals in them.
Apart from that, things like:
- Dust.
- Smoke.
- Perfume.
- Pollen.
- Air fresheners
Get trapped in our houses and create a chemical jam.
And this chemical mixture is ten times deadlier than outside pollution.
If left untreated, this can cause:
- Brain fog.
- Exhaustion.
- Memory problem.
- Cognitive dysfunction.
So how to get rid of brain fog and the other problems?
You can deal with it by:
- Reduce the usage of air fresheners.
- Switch to organic products.
- Smoke in an open area.
- Use an air purifier.
Feed your brain
Do you know what our brains are made up of?
It is made of fats and proteins.
This also means that our brains need more healthy fats and proteins to function well.
And a diet high in sugar and processed foods are its worst enemy.
If you want to remove brain fog, you have to remove certain foods that trigger it.
Better stick to a healthy diet, eat foods rich in:
- Proteins.
- Omega-3 fatty acids.
- Plant-based foods.
- Vitamins and minerals.
- Antioxidants.
- Coenzyme Q10.
Also, some food items can help improve your brain fitness.
Include them in your diet, and you’re good to go.
Apart from that, you can also take the help of supplements that helps with stress & anxiety and thereby improve your foggy brain.
Play some brain games
Not getting enough challenges can also be a reason for your head feeling fuzzy.
Try playing games that challenge your cognitive abilities.
Games like:
- Crosswords.
- Sudoku.
- Puzzles.
- Board games.
It Is no less than a workout for your brain.
It helps with brain fog and improves your memory and awareness, and lightens up your mood.
Even learning a new skill is considered a mental workout because your brain has to start afresh.
Be friends with technology
Of all the methods we mentioned above, they have one thing in common. You know what? You never know when will they come in handy. Of course, exercising and dieting and brain games, they’re helpful in the long run.
But the world isn’t getting less creative. It demands our time, energy, and best mental state every second. Doesn’t that make it necessary for us to stay clear in our thoughts as much as we can?
Other methods guarantee success, but not the immediate results. To answer the call of the modern-day work culture, you need to keep stopping your foggy brain from holding you up. And it’s almost impossible without adding technology and years of research to your life.
Fortunately, BrainTap headset is one particular technology that clears off your mind instantly. All you have to do is allow yourself 20 mins of the audio session and let the device do the talking. In no time, you’ll realize:
- better mental state
- focused mind
- clear thinking
- less stressed mind
We don’t say it’s better than other alternatives. But it surely cuts the slack when you have to get immediate results. 🙂
FAQs
Here are some of the things people ask regarding brain fog.
What is brain fog a symptom of?
The causes of brain fog are:
- Nutrition deficiency.
- Sleep disorder.
- Excessive consumption of sugar.
- Depression.
- Thyroid condition.
- Chronic stress, anxiety, or depression.
- Menopause or other hormonal changes.
- Multiple sclerosis.
- Medication.
- Fibromyalgia.
What does brain fog feel like?
Symptoms of your head feeling fuzzy are:
- Mental fatigue.
- Feeling disoriented.
- Memory problems.
- Headaches.
- Taking more time to complete work.
- Lack of mental transparency.
- Mood swings.
- Low energy or exhaustion.
- Irritation.
- Lack of concentration.
- Low motivation.
How do you stop brain fog?
Stop brain fog and improve your brain health in the following ways:
- Sleep more.
- Create a schedule and challenge yourself to complete it.
- Repeat things in your mind to memorize them.
- Exercise regularly.
- Take a social media break.
- Do more enjoyable activities.
- Reduce toxins in your home.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol.
- Play some brain games.
- Take a walk.
- Get some fresh air.
- Meditate.
- Try yoga.
- Talk to the doctor or a therapist to provide medical advice.
What vitamin deficiency can cause brain fog?
Vitamin B-12 is a crucial nutrient for your brain function.
Deficiency of it can cause brain fog.
It can cause problems like:
- Difficulty focusing and concentrating.
- Weak memory.
- Dementia.
- Confusion.
- Cognitive impairment and changes.
- Delusions.
- Hallucinations.
Learn more about sleep:
- Improve your sleep with the help of the biohacking sleep methods.
- Treat your body with the best sleep supplements.
- Spoil yourself with this muse head band and get the best sleep.
- Want to fall asleep as soon as you hit your bed? Read this!
Sources:
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18709887/#:~:text=Folate%20deficiency%20in%20the%20periconceptional,risk%20of%20depression%20during%20adulthood.
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23999934/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3896080/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3008658/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4895748/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2805706/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5934999/