How to Overcome Brain Fog
Do you ever feel like your thoughts are slogging their way through your brain? Or like you can’t remember details that used to be easily recalled? Welcome to the wonderful world of brain fog.
While brain fog can happen to anyone, people are much more likely to suffer from it as they get older.
So what exactly is brain fog? Well…brain fog isn’t actually a medical condition in and of itself. Rather, it’s a symptom indicating that something isn’t quite right with your body.
What causes brain fog can range from simple to serious…but here are some of the more common reasons your brain may be thrown into low gear:
- Lack of Sleep
- Anxiety and depression
- Poor diet
- Medical conditions
- Hormone imbalance
Your brain doesn’t just need 7-8 hours of sleep per night. It also needs to get enough deep sleep and REM sleep to process memories and recuperate for the next day.
Nothing is harder on your mind and body than stress. Not only does it drive your blood pressure up, slow your metabolism, and weaken your immune system…it also causes mental fatigue. And when your brain is tired, it doesn’t function well.
The fatigue and low motivation associated with depression and anxiety can cause difficulties with concentration and focus, as well memory loss. Physiological changes caused by these conditions can also affect how well your brain works.
Too many refined carbohydrates and not enough nutrient-dense food can negatively impact how well your brain works. Food allergies and food intolerances can also affect brain function.
Many prescription and over-the-counter medications include drowsiness and brain fog among their potential side effects.
Heavy metals like lead, arsenic, and cesium can be found in almost everything, including food, beauty products, tooth fillings, etc. If these metals accumulate in your body over time, they can cause brain fog, among other physical issues.
Anemia, hypoglycemia, and numerous other medical conditions can deprive your body and brain of the energy needed for proper function.
With age, your body loses the ability to produce important hormones like testosterone, estrogen, progesterone, thyroid, DHEA, pregnenolone, melatonin, and growth hormone. Brain fog is a common symptom when these hormones are in decline.
What Can You Do?
Brain fog shouldn’t be accepted as normal. If you suffer from brain fog, here are some suggestions:
- Improve your sleep habits
Cut down on screen time before bed, stick to a bedtime routine, and practice good sleep hygiene. If insomnia is a problem for you, a melatonin supplement before bed may help you fall asleep more easily.
- Manage stress
Do the best you can to avoid stress. For stressors that are unavoidable, meditation and other mindfulness practices may help your mind and body to cope.
- Address anxiety and depression
Too often people try to “power through” on their own when suffering from anxiety and depression. Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it.
- Ask your PCP about your medications
Talk to your primary care physician or pharmacist about cognitive side effects from any prescription and non-prescription medications you may be taking.
- De-toxify your body
A simple blood test can determine whether or not you have heavy metal accumulations in your body. In general, regular physical exercise and drinking plenty of water can help to flush these unwanted toxins from your system.
- Keep a food log
Keep a diary of what you eat to see if certain foods might be responsible for your brain fog.
- Add brain food to your diet
Some foods can actually support proper brain function. Known as “nootropics”, they range from stereotypically “healthy” foods like broccoli, blueberries, and olive oil, to fun things like dark chocolate and red wine. There are also nootropic supplements available like resveratrol, alpha lipoic acid, phosphatidylserine, vitamin B-12, and Rg3.
- See your PCP regularly
Simple blood tests and a physical exam can determine if anemia, hypoglycemia, or another physical condition are responsible for your brain fog.
- Get your hormones checked
At Renew Youth we can test your hormones to see if anything is out of balance. If imbalances are identified, we can create a customized hormone replacement therapy regimen that will restore your hormones to optimal levels. And if you have insomnia, anxiety, or depression as a result of a hormone deficiency, hormone replacement therapy should help.
Don’t accept brain fog as normal. Let us help you to understand what’s causing your brain fog, and how to reverse it.
Call us at 800-859-7511 or use our contact form to schedule your free 30-minute consultation.