‘Brain fog’ can include anything from frequently forgetting where you put your keys to feeling ‘away with fairies’, fatigued or just generally like you’re walking around in a haze.
Brain fog is not technically a medical condition, despite how many people experience it. It’s more of an umbrella term that describes a group of symptoms that impact cognitive function — or, our ability to think clearly.
Whilst it can be frustrating to experience brain fog, it’s very common and there are things we can do to improve symptoms and clear the air.
Let’s take a look at what causes brain fog and how we can tackle it.
What causes brain fog?
Lots of things can influence how likely we are to experience brain fog, but some of the common factors include:
Poor sleep quality or quantity:
Sleep is one of the most important factors for cognitive function. You should aim to get at least 7 hours of good quality sleep a night.
Stress:
Chronic stress can put you in a state of constant fight or flight, making it difficult to concentrate or make decisions.
Poor diet:
Not enough of the right nutrients, or not eating enough calories for our needs, can leave our cognitive capacities depleted. Make sure you’re getting enough vitamins, and minerals and eating a good balanced diet.
Hormonal changes:
For people with a menstrual cycle, hormonal fluctuations each month can have a huge impact on concentration levels and overall feelings of fatigue.
Certain medical conditions:
Things like depression, anxiety and autoimmune diseases can all impact our brain power and function.
How to improve brain fog
Improve your sleep:
Perhaps the simplest solution but often the hardest to keep consistent with, improving sleep can greatly improve brain fog and overall wellbeing. Aim for 7 hours a night and try to go to bed and wake up at the same time each day. This can improve your circadian rhythm. Try things like keeping your bedroom cool and using earplugs or sleep masks if you’re a light sleeper.
Take Omega-3 supplements:
Omega-3 is great for boosting cognitive function, due to its anti-inflammatory properties and support of neurotransmitter function. Try taking up to two capsules of good quality Omega-3 per day for at least 3 months. Check out our NothingFishy 100% plant-based Omega-3 soft gels to get started.
Exercise daily:
Adding exercise into your daily routine, if you don’t already, can greatly improve cognitive function. Exercise releases endorphins which can provide relief from things like fatigue and low mood. It can also help your circadian rhythm and reduce stress.
Reduce alcohol intake:
Alcohol can put a lot of stress on the body as well as hugely impact our sleep quality. If you’re a regular drinker, try cutting down your intake and see if your sleep and brain fog improve.
Stress relief:
Activities like mindfulness, yoga, breathwork and meditation can all do wonders for reducing your stress levels, and overall wellbeing and improving your sleep quality. Try a few different techniques and see if your symptoms improve.