At the end of the year, we are all experiencing brain fog. Whether you are feeling overwhelmed with balancing day-to-day tasks on top of the mental load that is Christmas and long school holidays, or experiencing brain fog regularly, brain fatigue can be troublesome.
So what is brain fatigue?
Brain fatigue can be described as a condition of mental fogginess, burnout, or feeling tired. Many put this down to mild depression or simply getting old when really it is a symptom of the brain reaching a point of dysfunction for varying reasons. Stress, over-stimulation, lack of sleep, poor diet and lack of exercise all contribute to brain “glitches” but when not managed well, or when it goes on for too long, brain fatigue can cause more serious wear and tear on the brain, resulting in cognitive decline.
What can you do to support optimal brain function?
1 | Modify your mindset
Say something positive about yourself/your partner/your kids. Starting the day feeling positive instead of groaning and hitting snooze when the alarm goes off can make a huge difference to how you approach the day.
2 | Smile!
Smile at your family, smile at strangers, smile at your co-workers. You will feel great and you will lighten someone else’s day as well.
3 | Stay hydrated
Make sure that you and your family all carry and use water bottles. The brain can’t function properly without adequate water.
4 | Spend time outdoors
Even if you are confined to an office for most of the day, eat your lunch outside in the sun and fresh air. This way you will maintain healthy vitamin D levels and if you go for a walk, you will get some exercise in as well.
5 | Breathe deeply
From your diaphragm. Breathing in fresh outdoor air increases oxygenation of the blood, helping to relax the nervous system and re-energise the brain, thus improving focus and creativity.
6 | Meditate
Meditation has well documented positive effects on the brain. Many people report increased concentration and tranquillity as a result of regular, short meditations.
7 | Eat Well
Include plenty vegetables and low G.I. fruit in your diet. Keep frozen berries and Greek yoghurt on hand for delicious, nutrient-rich smoothies.
8 | Monitor your sugar intake
Sugar is addictive. Excess sugar can form free radicals in the brain and compromise nerve cells’ ability to communicate, thus impairing memory and concentration. Opt for low G.I. whole foods as your carbohydrate source.
9 | Plan ahead
Shop and prepare food over the weekend so that, instead of grabbing takeaways when you’re late home from work, or just plain tired, you can pull a nutritious meal from the freezer. When you’re in the mood to cook, prepare double. If you don’t want to have the same again tomorrow, you can pop it in the freezer for another day. Crockpots are a cook’s best friend. Your meal will cook itself and be ready for you when you get home from work.
