Brain Fried: 19 Tips for Overcoming Cognitive Fatigue

If you are struggling to sleep, you will find a range of helpful guided mindfulness exercises in Session 9 of the Brain Food section or by downloading the Mindarma companion app. If you are exhausted and mushy-brained, it is a clear sign you are doing too much. Outsource, delegate, ask for help and carefully consider whether you have the capacity to take on that next thing. Work out what is manageable and make sure joy, rest and relaxation are non-negotiables, rather than being rudely shoved to the bottom of your to-do list.

Stress

Poor sleep affects your ability to make decisions, solve problems, and control your emotions. And what’s more, experts say that sleep deprivation can increase your risk for chronic health problems such as high blood pressure, obesity, and heart disease. As brain fog is common after COVID-19 infections, getting the COVID-19 vaccine is beneficial to reduce your risk. Remember, your mind and body are connected in a lot of ways, so make sure you stay on top of your physical health. When you’re stressed and overwhelmed, it can be hard to open up, especially if you feel like your loved ones are under stress, too. Try to remember that the people who care for you probably want to help in whatever way they can, even just by listening.

Eat (and drink) to feel good

We weren’t all multi-tasking maniacs, madly scrambling to get 38% of our stuff done before our eyelids finally gave out on us. Mushy brain is a terribly common malady that all inhabitants of the 21st century need to be wary of. Our poor, overworked minds were simply not designed for the level of hyperstimulation that we now constantly encounter. Dr. Krishnan also suggests taking mental breaks throughout the day to build up your mental capacity. Cacao helps improve cerebral blood flow and promotes the development of new blood vessels. Add the foods below mush brain to your shopping cart if you want to feel sharper.

What is brain fog? A neuroscientist reveals what causes it and how to get rid of it

However, if your underlying condition is already being treated, or you’re looking for a home remedy for brain fog, here are a few suggestions that can help. People suffering from sleep disorders may get enough hours of sleep, but the quality of sleep may be bad, leaving them exhausted the next day. Anemia is a condition in which the body is not making enough red blood cells, and may cause fatigue, brain fog, and depression.

• You may experience brain fog because of this constant flux of hormones or because of other stressors that can occur even early in your pregnancy.
• MacCutcheon also recommends mindfulness practices to help decrease stress.
• Functional mushrooms like Lion’s Mane can improve frontal cortical function and even improve symptoms of ADHD and result in better focus and alertness.
• One 2019 study showed that reaching for a cell phone did not allow the brain to recharge as effectively as other types of relaxation.
• If these tips don’t resolve brain fog, a healthcare provider may address specific symptoms with medications like antidepressants or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), among others.
• Moving forward, there are things you can do to avoid becoming overwhelmed the next time life gets busy.

What is brain rot? How modern life is turning our minds to mush

Figure out when you want to be in bed by and then set aside minutes for your pre-sleep time. With that said, there are things you can do to better cope with brain fog and reduce its impact on your life, well-being, and ability to function. Feeling mentally drained can happen to anyone, especially when overworked or having sleeping difficulties. But, brain fog is not the same as fatigue, lethargy, or malaise (although they often go hand in hand). As a general rule, when we’re in Alcoholics Anonymous a better mood, our mental performance tends to improve, in part due to feeling more energised and motivated.

• Cannabis needs the right conditions to grow because it’s subject to infection by mold.
• When you’re already functioning at full capacity, thinking about a big job you have to get done can make you feel as if your brain is ready to shut down.
• Dr. Krishnan also suggests taking mental breaks throughout the day to build up your mental capacity.

Consider a new study spot

It’s the middle of a long workday and your brain is feeling fuzzy. You’re unmotivated, it’s difficult to remember important information, and your mind is taking every opportunity to drift. When you’re already functioning at full capacity, thinking about a big job you have to get done can make you feel as if your brain is ready to shut down. You’re already mentally exhausted, so a new project may https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/do-you-genuinely-like-the-feeling-of-being-drunk/ seem too daunting for you to even make a start. You might feel like you’re too busy to eat, but going hungry can lower your blood sugar and deprive you of cognitive energy.

• Brain fog can leave you feeling like you are unable to concentrate for long enough to do anything productive.
• If possible, it is best to have a regular sleep routine and avoid screen time and stimulating substances before hitting the hay.
• When these hormonal changes occur, your brain tries to restore balance by releasing and suppressing certain hormones to level everything out.
• We’ve partnered with C60 Power, known for its 99.99% pure Carbon 60 products, to create your go-to guide for fighting brain fog.

However, in all these contexts and others, it’s also possible that there are emotional and social contributors to brain fog. Because ‘brain fog’ is such a catch-all term, it follows that there can be countless possible causes. For instance, there is speculation that the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19 might reach the brain and directly interfere with brain function. So if you’ve ever felt muggy headed, as if you can’t concentrate of focus – perhaps you’ve been forgetful and accident-prone too – then perhaps you’ve experienced brain fog. Sleep is an immensely precious commodity that can do wonders for your brain and body, so don’t sacrifice it for phone scrolling, Netflix or anything else which isn’t incredibly important to you. If possible, it is best to have a regular sleep routine and avoid screen time and stimulating substances before hitting the hay.

This can help prevent panic and make it easier to move smoothly from task to task. If work or school has sapped your ability to concentrate, take a break from your desk and get outside if you can. Cynicism, apathy, lack of motivation, and trouble focusing can all be signs of an overworked brain.