If you struggle with brain fog, you probably know how hard and frustrating it is to get through the day. From difficulty remembering, to being unable to find the right words, to struggling with tasks, to general malaise, everything seems to take a hit. If you experience brain fog, you likely also have issues with sleeping, which makes brain fog worse. In this week’s brain health article, we’ll talk about some common causes of brain fog- and how to beat them! Please note that this article is not intended to substitute for medical advice, so please consult with a doctor when you are making changes.
Lack of Exercise
In case you missed last week’s article on how exercise makes you smarter, the brain evolved to enable movement- and so it requires exercise to stay sharp and healthy. One of the most common causes of brain fog is a sedentary lifestyle. Be sure to stay active, and get in as much natural movement as possible. You will be astonished at how quickly your brain function improves! You will also notice that you sleep more deeply, which helps you function optimally when you are awake.
Stress
Persistent stress and anxiety increase the function of the brain’s fear center, and decrease the regions of the brain responsible for rationalization, learning, and memory. In addition, it causes the brain to work harder on a daily basis, causing it to become tired more quickly. When a tired brain is stressed further, the problem becomes worse. If you suspect that stress might be at the root of your brain fog, try Anxiety Relief or Anxiety Relief Tincture.
Poor or Inadequate Sleep
Sleep is necessary for the brain to form memory and connections, to process distressing events, and to detoxify the brain’s cellular environment. If you’re not getting enough quality sleep, this could have an immediate and drastic impact on your ability to function. If this is the case, try our Nitey Nite blend. You might also try taking an adaptogen during the day, such as ginseng or rhodiola, that will help you to stay awake during the day and sleep better at night.
Poor Diet
Diet is often the root cause of most physical imbalances- and brain fog is no exception. Often times, people with brain fog are not getting an adequate supply of micronutrients. Filling up on high-quality fruits and vegetables will help you to shore up nutritional deficiencies that you may have. In addition, avoiding dairy is important to avoiding excess mucous production and inflammation, promoting good blood flow to the brain, and helping the body to stay alkaline. In addition, eliminating excess sugar helps to keep inflammation and parasites at bay, and can do wonders for your brain health. Lastly, incorporating spices like turmeric and black pepper can help protect the brain.
Dehydration
If you are dehydrated (which can easily happen in the desert), chances are, the blood flow to your brain is compromised. If you’re experiencing brain fog, try drinking a glass or two of water- and this might just fix the problem! Finding a few herbal teas that you love can help you stay on track with fluid consumption and staying hydrated.
Insulin Resistance and Diabetes
Insulin resistance can cause fluctuations in blood sugar levels, and low blood sugar to the brain can cause fatigue. Maintaining insulin sensitivity is important, and you can become more insulin sensitive by avoiding oils and refined sugars, moderating your saturated fat intake, and consuming a high-fiber, high-water diet. If you want help with becoming more insulin sensitive and reducing your sugar consumption, try our Sugar Balance tea.
Hormonal Changes
Many women experience brain fog as they go through pregnancy, perimenopause, and menopause. To help with hormone balance and your overall health as you experience hormonal changes, there are a number of herbs and teas that can help. Try Mama To Be during pregnancy, and Cool Tea for Hot Chicks for menopause.
Parasites and Candida
Parasites and candida can cause many problems, including brain fog. This is usually due, at least in part, to an overly acidic body. The fastest way to eliminate parasites is to alkalize your blood. Avoiding sugar, minimizing animal product consumption (particularly red meat), and consuming a lot of green vegetables, will help your body to stay alkaline and free from parasites. In addition, the essential oils contained in herbs can help to kill pathogens in your environment. Try adding herbs to your diet and using aromatherapy to help keep your body free from parasites.
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