You might sometimes feel that you are forgetting something or unable to focus due lack of concentration and forgetfulness. This mental cloudiness or haziness is described as mental fog or brain fog. It is very commonly experienced among young to older adults. In scientific terms, Brain fog is a mental condition in which people forget things, are confused a lot, are unable to focus have a problem retrieving information from their memory and in general term experience mental fatigue.
As we grow older, some psychological glitches cause this mental foggy condition and prevent us from performing day-to-day life activities. On a cellular level, brain fog is caused by hormonal changes and inflammation that determines our mood, energy and concentration towards work. These hormonal imbalances cause our whole body thrown off. Apart from the above-written symptoms, there are other symptoms of Brain Fog or mental fog.
Symptoms of Brain Fog are:
- Forgetfulness
- Insomnia
- Low energy or fatigue
- Trouble in concentration
- Low motivation
- Mildly depressed
- Anxiety
What Causes Brain Fog?
There are many other causes, this may include: –
1) Lack of Sleep:
If anyone does not get sufficient sleep, they may get symptoms like stress, forgetfulness, low energy, fatigue, and brain fog. So, it is essential for a human being to get enough sleep to work with utmost concentration and resist brain fog. Proper sleep of 5 to 7 hours is important for our brain to function normally.
2) Poor Diet:
According to the researcher’s review, a poor diet also causes brain fog. A deficiency of vitamin B12 causes brain fog. Vitamin B12 helps support a healthy brain. So, proper nutrients and a balanced diet are important for better cognitive functioning. Our body needs certain vitamins and nutrients for the proper functioning of our brain.
3) Stress:
Over workload or other factors in life can cause stress and this stress weakens our immune system which causes brain fog. Researches have shown that stress is one of the serious causes of Brain Fog.
4) Hormonal Changes
Hormonal changes also trigger brain fog. With age, our body grows, and certain hormones play a crucial role in the working of our body. When a hormone is released inside the body, it has an effect on the normal functioning of a human being. The levels of progesterone and oestrogen rise and fall too often during pregnancy, which affects memory and causes short-term memory impairment.
How does it impact cognitive functioning?
Brain fog has wide impacts on cognitive functioning which include:
Attention:
Brain Fog makes it difficult to focus and pay attention. You may find yourself easily distracted and unable to concentrate on one thing for a long period of time. Brain fog hinders the productivity of the day.
Memory:
Brain fog also affects the memory of the individual. One may experience trouble remembering things. It became very difficult for them to retrieve new information. You may thoroughly forget the appointments, meetings, and many more things in general.
Processing Speed:
Brain fog causes your brain to function slowly, and the time taken to process information also becomes slow. Ultimately, you may take time to make normal decisions and be unable to process information quickly.
Executive Functioning:
Executive functioning of brain may include planning, organising and executing tasks. But brain fog hinders the brain to perform executive tasks perfectly, and our brain becomes slow in cognitive executive skills.
Quality of life
Overall brain fog limits your quality of life. You become unable to process, implement and address the information correctly, which make it difficult for one to normally survive.
Tips for addressing Brain Fog
If you are having any above written sever symptoms of brain fog you should consult a doctor or otherwise, you may follow the tips to address brain fog:
- Eat a healthy diet: Eating a healthy diet will induce sufficient nutrients into your body which helps to fulfil the deficiency of specific vitamins in your body.
- Get enough sleep: A proper sleep of 5 to 7 hours is enough for the normal functioning of the brain and it is essential for working actively throughout the day.
- Exercise daily: Regular exercise gives our brain the fuel to work at a good pace. It helps our brain and body to react to a certain stimulus within no seconds, in short helps our processing of the brain to speed up.
- Do activities which help to reduce stress: Playing sports, and following hobbies will help you to reduce stress.
- Stay Hydrated: Drink water and stay hydrated. Water contains nutrients and minerals which are so much needed for our body. Drink 2.5 liters of water in a day on average.
- Avoid Alcohol and drugs: Avoid drinking alcohol and drugs. These intoxicant substances have ill effects on the brain’s functioning.
