Brain Fog Slowing You Down? Top Causes of Mental Fatigue and How to Beat It
Constant mental fatigue can make you feel as though you don’t have the will to do anything.
If you’re suffering from mental fatigue syndrome, you’re absolutely not alone. Brain fog is a condition that affects 300 million people around the globe.
So what is mental fatigue? What are some of the most common causes? Most importantly — what can you do about it?
We’re more than glad to explain. Stop mental fatigue in its tracks starting with the tips below.
Your “Why†Is Not Strong Enough
Failing to have a purpose behind what you do can lead to brain fog and mental disillusionment.
This is less of a matter of cognitive function and more indicative of dwindling drive and direction. People naturally have trouble focusing when they are conflicted in their minds or don’t fully understand why they are taking a certain path.
Many people have brain fog because they face incredible resistance.
When you get some direction and purpose in your life, you will not only think more clearly, but you will also start to conjure mental stamina and resources you never knew you had.
There Are Some Deficiencies in Your Nutrition
A nutritional deficiency is one of the biggest reasons for brain fog. Your brain operates on the fuel that you give it, so eat only foods that fortify and protect your cognitive health.
Hemp seeds provide lots of omega 3 fatty acids, which are excellent for brain health. These seeds are an excellent source of protein and fiber. They promote blood flow which can enhance your brain function.
It’s easy to add hemp seeds to a smoothie, salad, or oatmeal.
Eat foods that allow your brain to be electric. Plant-based foods like berries, fruits, leafy green vegetables, and legumes will have your brain firing on all cylinders each day.
Track your food intake in an app that counts calories and macronutrients. Meal planning apps also alert you when you’re taking too much sodium, sugar, carbohydrates, saturated fats, and other foods that rob you of health and vitality.
Begin cooking the food that you eat rather than eating out and filling up on unhealthy processed foods.
Eat regularly to avoid your body going into starve mode, which debilitates your brain function.
You Aren’t Hydrating Properly Every Day
It’s not just about what you eat — make sure that you’re also drinking enough water.
Brain fog is actually one of the most notable symptoms of dehydration. Set aside about a gallon of water to drink each day to make certain that you’re hydrating.
Drink from your thermos every hour or so to make certain you’re not overburdening your brain. Start your day with a glass of water before the cup of coffee and you’ll have optimal energy and brain function.
Stress and Anxiety Are a Problem
Your brain will also fail you when it’s overburdened by stress and anxiety.
The cortisol stress hormone keeps your brain and body in a perpetual fight or flight state. This makes it difficult to focus on the present moment or your current thoughts.
Anxiety happens to be one of the biggest mental fatigue symptoms. This condition happens when you’re overly worried about the future.
Your mind jumps to unwanted scenarios, keeping you consistently stressed with thoughts that wander.
It’s Time to Get Control of Your Sleep Schedule and Quality
Your day always starts out on the wrong foot if you didn’t get enough sleep. Getting plenty of sleep at night is restorative and allows you to think clearly.
Researchers even compare the mental effects of sleep deprivation to alcohol consumption. You aren’t in your right state of mind if you didn’t get your mind the proper rest it needed the night before.
Always go to bed early enough to get 7 to 9 restful hours of sleep. Keep your bedroom at temperatures and humidity levels that you find comfortable, and invest in a quality mattress and bedding.
Consider taking some melatonin and black seed oil so that you’re able to drift off to sleep without resistance.
You Might Need to Improve Your Physical Fitness
Your brain works better when your body is in fight shape. The brain and the body are connected, so expect physical fitness benefits of the body to also show up in the mind.
Pushing yourself in workouts relaxes the body and the brain to help you think clearly. Exercise causes your brain to produce natural feel-good hormones that can improve your mood long after the workout.
Good physical health will lead to quality mental health as long as you stick with it.
Optimize Your Workflow and Take More Breaks
Sometimes it’s the process that needs to be tweaked. You might be overworking your brain by trying to accomplish too much in a small amount of time.
Many people also work long hours on end without taking any breaks. Build breaks into your work schedule so that you have time to step away and recharge your mental batteries.
This is especially important if you work in front of a computer sitting down all day. Both the blue light from the monitor and the sedentary nature of the work can lead to mental distress and brain fog.
Consider recovery as part of your action plan and you’ll make it through your workdays without mental fatigue and burnout.
Stop Mental Fatigue in Its Tracks
The points above will help you when you’re tired of mental fatigue getting the better of you. You feel like a prisoner in your own body when these issues are bad.
Thankfully, the methods of recovery are all within your grasp as long as you’re willing to do the work.
Check out our other posts when you’re ready to get your health and fitness in peak condition.