Coping with brain fog

By Elizabeth Green

Founder of The Power Angels

When I was young and living at home my Mum used to call me by everyone else’s name before she got to mine.

“Simon, Frances, Christopher… errrr Elizabeth”, she would say, and we would laugh.

She’s just getting old and losing it a bit I thought. Her confusion would be brushed aside as a standing joke.

Now that I am older myself, I find myself doing the same thing. I call my pets by my children’s names, and I often find myself losing my train of thought or wandering into a room and completely forgetting what I went in for. Sound familiar?

“Brain Fog” is a term that we have all heard over the years, but it isn’t actually a medical condition. Feeling foggyheaded and disorientated can, however, be very confusing and frightening. I often think that I have early onset dementia and worry about how I will cope if it gets worse. I am sure that many of us feel that our brains aren’t serving us as well as they should do and that in itself can cause a decline in our mental health

There are many signs of brain fog. We can suffer from memory problems, lack of mental clarity, poor concentration or lack of focus. It can also manifest itself in more noticeable physical symptoms such as stress headaches, anxiety attacks and insomnia. Brain fog can strike at any age and is often caused by something else that’s happening in our lives. Menopause, hormonal changes, insomnia, stress, grief, medication…there can be a lot of contributing factors.

The good news is that there are lots of things that we can do to avoid brain fog and to keep our brains fit and active for longer.

I often think that I have early onset “ dementia and worry about how I will cope if it gets worse. “

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TOP TIPS

1Diet Our brains need the right fuel and energy to keep them ticking. A diet rich in iron and vitamin B12 will help to improve brain function. Try incorporating foods such as eggs, salmon, grass-fed beef and offal into your weekly diet or, if you are a vegan or vegetarian, check out a supplement from your local health food store. Try and avoid alcohol or drugs if you feel mentally depleted. They may give you a short-term boost, but they are not a long-term solution. A healthy diet can do wonders for brain function so eat lots of “brain food” and keep yourself well hydrated and you will see a difference almost immediately.

2Exercise The brain and the body work together so if you start slowing down physically then your brain function will decline too. My Dad walked for half an hour a day until just before he passed away at the ripe old age of 91. He swore by it. 3Establishing a good sleep routine We all know that foggy feeling after a bad night’s sleep so work at establishing a good night-time routine. Have a calming warm bath and play some relaxing music. Make your bedroom your sanctuary and avoid screens for a few hours before bed.

4Learn something new Learning a new skill will help to develop new neural pathways which keep our brains healthy. It’s also fun and a good stress reliever. Why not learn to play an instrument, a new language or join a local history group? Keeping socially active is very important for optimum brain health

5Take mental breaks during the day We are all guilty of trying to do too much and spinning lots of plates. Avoid multitasking and focus on one thing at once. Take regular breaks away from your desk or place of work and make sure you have a proper lunch break to refuel. A fiveminute meditation session at lunchtime can do wonders to restore some clarity and calm. There are lots of guided meditations online that you can use free of charge.

If you are concerned about your mental health, then it is always worth talking to your local GP. There are lots of resources and support available. Don’t be nervous to reach out if you need to.