Brain Fog is not a medically recognized diagnosis but rather an accumulation of symptoms that include feelings of confusion, forgetfulness and lack of focus and mental clarity.
Its many causes include lack of sleep, low blood sugar, seasonal allergies and dehydration or electrolyte imbalance following heavy exercise. It may be from the side effects of chemotherapy or drug use of many kinds. It can be associated with hormonal imbalance, depression, fibromyalgia, thyroid imbalance or Lyme disease. Some consider it as a normal consequence of aging.
Food, sleep, de-stress activities and vitamins are some of the remedies used to de-fog our brains.
The simple guideline for food is to eat real food. Chemicals, dyes, artificial sweeteners are not real food. The brain needs protein for neurotransmitter production, complex carbohydrates for steady brain glucose levels and healthy fat for the transmission of brain neurotransmitters. Keeping hydrated helps keep the cells of our body functioning as best as they can.
The amount of sleep needed varies among individuals. Achieving quality sleep is dependent on one’s physical and mental health, environment and activity level during the day. Lack of quality sleep impairs memory, creativity, judgment and attention. Proper nutrition, exercise as well as clearing one’s mind of distracting or worrisome thoughts aids in sleeping. Move away from the computers and electronic equipment and give your body and brain a rest.
Exercise works to release endorphins and deliver more glucose and oxygen to the brain. Meditation can make you happier, smarter and more resilient regarding life’s ups and downs.
So, while you are cleaning and supplementing your diet, getting good sleep, exercising, you can find yourself waiting for the fog to clear. Perhaps there is purpose in the experience. Even though we take the steps to move out of this malaise, there is value in reflecting and growing from the experience of fog. Gaining from fog? Being in a fog forces us to slow down.
Having purpose in life brings meaning, direction, drive and passion. When our path is taken off course it is clearly upsetting, disturbing, even depressing. We tend to value our worth with what we do, learn and accomplish. If in our state of fog, we can no longer produce or accomplish at our expected level, we are confronted with a real challenge: What is my purpose? We suggest that the time one takes while in a fog is an opportunity to reflect on meaning and purpose. This process of reflection and growth can help all the other steps of healing.
Widening ones perspective to the experience of “fog” can be an opportunity to reframe and reboot aspects of who we are, thus clearing the path to an awareness of meaning and joy. The past will be re-evaluated, re-examined or understood differently. Perhaps the fog provides a temporary time out to rediscover aspects of ourselves we never had time or patience to explore.
Being in a fog can help us get ready to spring forward, to get clear about what we know, what we need to know and what must happen if we are to move forward.
Although dampened by being in the fog, the main message here is the exploration of growth and healing present at every moment.
