Beat Brain Fog: 5 Easy Tips to Start Thinking Clearer Today
Brain fog, also called “brain fatigue,” can range from a mild to severe experience of mental confusion—and there are many culprits behind it.
You may have trouble remembering things mid-sentence, find your mind trailing off, or have difficulty concentrating.
Other symptoms of brain fog include headaches, forgetfulness, low energy and motivation, confusion, irritability, and trouble sleeping at night.
Here are the main causes of brain fog and five tips that can help.
What Causes Brain Fog?
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Brain fog can be caused during menopause thanks to fluctuating hormones in your body—specifically, a decrease in estrogen.
Moreover, our circulation tends to slow down as we get older, which causes less oxygen to reach our brain cells, resulting in that fuzzy-headed feeling.
But don’t worry: as your hormones even out, your brain fog likely will too. Research also shows that memory usually improves in post-menopausal years.
So let’s get rid of brain fog! The next five tips can help keep your mind sharp and reduce brain fog during menopause.
1. Get a Good Night’s Sleep
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It should come as no surprise that you’re a bit foggy when you’re sleep-deprived! Your brain needs 7 to 8 hours of sleep per night to function at its best.
Try resetting your natural body clock by going to sleep and waking up at the same time every day, and try a lavender aromatherapy diffuser by your bed to help induce sleep.
It’s also best to ditch the smartphone at bedtime—that blue light can suppress your brain’s production of melatonin, a hormone that helps with sleep.
2. Incorporate Vitamin B12 Into Your Diet
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The hormonal imbalances during menopause may lead to a vitamin B12 deficiency, leaving you feeling weak, forgetful, and downright foggy.
Along with menopause, taking antacids such as Prilosec and Zantac may also increase your risk of a vitamin B12 deficiency.
To correct it, you can start taking a B12 supplement and/or add more foods to your diet that are rich in vitamin B12, including:
Seafood (salmon, shrimp, mackerel, sardines, clams, trout, and herring)
Grass-fed beef
Eggs
Milk and dairy products
Fortified yeast
3. Aim to Exercise Weekly
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There are so many benefits associated with regular exercise, and relieving brain fog is one of them!
Research suggests that heart-pumping aerobic exercise can increase the size of the hippocampus, which is the area of the brain responsible for learning and verbal memory.
Exercise also releases adrenaline into the blood, which, along with energy, is delivered to the brain and enhances memory.
4. Play Digital Puzzle Games
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Yes, really! A recent study from the University of York found that older adults (age 60+) who play digital puzzle games have the same memory abilities as those in their 20s.
So, grab your device and try Sudoku, Wordle, or crossword puzzles and sharpen that memory!
5. Eat Plenty of Brain-Boosting Foods
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Eating a well-balanced diet full of vitamins and minerals is one of the best ways to keep your brain and body healthy. But there are also specific herbs, spices, and foods that have been shown to specifically improve memory and cognitive function.
These foods can help you feel sharper:
Oregano
Avocados
Walnuts
Salmon and Tuna
Coffee and Tea
Turmeric
Nutritional Yeast
Sugar Detox: How To Quit Sugar In 6 Steps
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It’s hard to find the best way to quit sugar when it’s in so many of our foods! That’s why it’s important to cut back in a smart, sustainable way since doing it cold turkey can be pretty jarring for your body.
Here, we’ll take a look at some of the sugar basics, why you crave it, and how to quit sugar without making yourself totally miserable.
Sugar Detox: How To Quit Sugar In 6 Steps
The 10 Yoga Poses You Should Do Everyday
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Simply put, a daily yoga routine makes you feel good! No matter where you find yourself or how much time you have, you can do these 10 yoga poses and start your day with a centered mind and a refreshed body.
The 10 Yoga Poses You Should Do Everyday
7 Best Supplements For Menopause Weight Gain
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Menopause—typically diagnosed after you’ve gone 12 months without a period—can occur in your 40s or 50s, but the average age is 51 for women in the United States.
For many women, menopausal weight gain is a real issue. The silver lining? It’s normal! But with the right diet, lifestyle, and menopause supplements, it doesn’t have to be.