Jun 23, 2022

5 Tips to Battle Brain Fog

How many times have you walked into a room just to forget what you walked in there for? Or, maybe you’re in the middle of a conversation (a sentence even!) and then you find yourself lost. Completely forgetting what you were even talking about. That’s brain fog.

Brain fog isn’t a medical diagnosis; it’s a symptom of something else. It causes forgetfulness, disorganized or confused thoughts, and it can make focusing incredibly difficult. There’s many causes for brain fog, too.

Chronic illnesses
Acute illnesses
Covid brain fog
Inefficient sleep
Dehydration

Chronic Illnesses

There are a lot of chronic illnesses that can cause brain fog. POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome), EDS (ehlers-danlos syndrome), CFS (chronic fatigue syndrome), and many forms of dysautonomia often cause brain fog. Some of these disorders cause chronic dehydration that can lead to brain fog. Medications people with chronic illnesses take can contribute to brain fog.

Acute Illnesses

When you’re sick your body is not running as efficiently as it would be. This is because your body is refocusing resources towards getting healthier. That can mean that your brain isn’t working as sharply as it should.

A study done in 2012 looked at the effects of the common cold virus on cognitive ability. Doing a baseline test on individuals when they were healthy they then had them come back when they were sick. The study showed that people with colds had brain fog; lower alertness, negative moods, and slower response times.

Covid Brain Fog

Have you recovered from covid but are still experiencing nasty side effects? Many people are. You’ve healed and the virus that is no longer in your system, but you still don’t feel well. Many doctors are calling this “long covid”. The virus caused havoc in your body and you’re still experiencing symptoms. Long covid can happen for people who had anywhere from mild to more severe symptoms.

Many people had never had brain fog until they encountered covid. The virus was unpredictable. It makes sense that if the common cold can cause clinically proven brain fog, then so can covid. A study done has determined inflammation due to covid can cause the brain fog you’re experiencing.

Inefficient Sleep

If you haven’t had enough sleep, brain fog can take over. Ensuring that you get an average of 7-9 hours of sleep a night will help prevent exhaustion and may help you think less sluggishly.

Dehydration

One of the initial symptoms of dehydration is brain fog. Your brain can’t function unless it’s properly hydrated. This can make you feel sluggish and kind of fuzzy when it comes to your mental clarity.

HOW TO PREVENT BRAIN FOG

Moderate exercise. Getting a little bit of exercise can help keep things functioning properly. Even if it’s a few minutes a day. If you have POTS exercise can seem impossible, but with modified exercises you may be able to do a few minutes a day.
Hydrate. This is a no brainer. Or, a no brain fogger. Hydrating with something like NormaLyte, a medical grade electrolyte powder, can help prevent brain fog and even stop it in its tracks (Get a free sample here). Hydrating effectively can clear brain fog almost instantly.
Sleep. Getting six hours or less of sleep each night can lead to health issues long term. Prevent brain fog from happening by ensuring you’re getting the recommended 7-9 hours of sleep a night. If you were unable to get the amount of sleep you need, we suggest taking a short 30-45min nap. Naps can increase your alertness and get rid of brain fog.
Avoid alcohol and drugs. Substances like drugs and alcohol can adversely affect your brain function. It’s best to avoid these to give your brain the best fighting chance to work.
Keep an eye on your diet. Eating healthy foods can keep your body performing optimally. If you’re worried that you may not be getting all the vitamins and nutrients you need in a day, try a multivitamin as a supplement.

Hydration plays a key role in how you feel every day. It’s amazing how even slight dehydration can cause symptoms. Staying hydrated is one of the best ways to battle brain fog when you’re otherwise doing everything else right.