Our brains are one of the hardest workers in our body, sending signals all across our systems so that they function correctly. But strained and overtired brains struggle to think clearly and process information – especially if someone has brain fog.
Also called cognitive deficit, brain fog can affect a person at any stage of adulthood. This is a recognised condition in which a person struggles to think as clearly and sharply as before, as if their thoughts have been fogged over.
So what exactly is brain fog, and how do you combat it?
What is brain fog?
Brain fog is a term for a condition wherein a person’s thinking is slow and sluggish. While brain for is not an official clinical diagnosis, it is a useful catch-all term to describe clouded thinking and feeling “spaced out.” Symptoms of brain fog include [1]:
- Distractedness and poor concentration
- Confusion
- Forgetfulness
- Unclear thinking
People who have brain fog may also suffer headaches.
There are many causes of brain fog – sleep deprivation, concussion, and illness are some of them. This cognitive dysfunction will usually resolve once a person resumes healthier habits such as better sleep or more consistent exercise and diet.
Stress at work can also contribute to brain fog as a symptom of burnout. If you’re constantly working overtime or pulling all-nighters, or otherwise overworked with little proper rest, you could eventually develop brain fog. This can impact your productivity and output.
Fighting brain fog
There might not be a do-all cure for brain fog, but you can mitigate its effects and boost your mental alertness in various ways. Besides vitamin supplements, these are some lifestyle adjustments you can make to improve your cognitive function.
Exercise
Aerobic activity, such as taking a 30 minute walk, increases the amount of oxygen directed to your brain. This boosts its function and makes you feel more energised. Mix things up and do yoga, cycling, and even pilates – anything that gets your blood flowing and your brain going.
Sleep
In sleep, your body recovers and recharges itself. Your brain signals different bodily systems to heal as you rest, and it also takes a break in your snoozing. It’s essential that you get enough sleep for your age range, to keep your brain at peak performance.
Diet
Ideally, you should minimise processed and sugary foods to improve your diet. You can also consult a registered dietitian to see what foods and drinks you should be consuming to improve your overall health.
However, there are some foods that you can add to your diet right now that will help you fight the effects of brain fog and boost your brain functions.
Best foods to combat brain fog
Besides other conventional ways of combating brain fog and increasing your energy, you can adjust your diet and incorporate foods that boost your brain. Pack a lunch for when you go to the office, or prep a hearty meal if you work from home – and add one or two of these foods to fight cognitive deficit.
Salmon and tuna
Research has shown that the omega-3 fatty acids in fish like salmon or tuna help fight fatigue and give you better quality sleep. These fish are rich in polyunsaturated fat that boosts your brain power, allowing you to think clearer and remember things better. [2]
Omega-3 may even help combat Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. [3]
You can consume salmon in many ways – raw (as sashimi), smoked, fried, and baked. Or even mix it in with other anti-brain fog foods like arugula and avocado (see below).
Berries
Berries like blueberries have shown to increase the level of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). This is a protein that encourages the production and growth of new neurons in your brain. Berries can also be powerful sources of antioxidants, which help combat free radicals that destroy cells and cause neurological degeneration. [4]
Try making berry smoothies in the morning, or eating them with other beneficial foods like yogurt and whole-grain cereals. You can also use them to top waffles and pancakes, or make tasty desserts!
Nuts
Walnuts have a high concentration of DHA (a fatty acid), which is key to several critical brain functions. Most other nuts are good sources of antioxidants, but walnuts are particularly potent even compared to pistachios and peanuts.
Besides this, walnuts have anti-inflammatory products, and contain plenty of magnesium which boosts your memory and information processing. [5]
Leafy greens
Dark leafy greens, especially. Iceberg lettuce has no nutritional value beyond fibre, but greens like spinach and kale contain plenty of vitamin C and iron. This means they help combat fatigue, especially when caused by iron deficiency – which can lead to tiredness and brain fog.
Dark leafy greens also contain nitrates that improve blood flow throughout your body, including to your brain. [6]
Coffee and tea
Caffeine is a stimulant which increases alertness, improves memory recall, and allows you to focus better. It also improves your mood, which puts you in a better emotional position to perform better at work. Tea contains less caffeine than coffee, but both are beneficial in moderate quantities. [7]
Start your day with a cup or two of coffee, or have some tea by you while you work. You can also take coffee breaks if your office allows. Just try not to drink past 3:00 PM – you may have difficulty sleeping later that night.
Avocado
Avocados are superfoods for a reason. They contain plenty of monounsaturated fats, which provide a person with plenty of energy throughout their day. Avocados also contain lutein, a carotenoid, which improves a person’s cognitive function and thinking. [8]
You can incorporate avocados into your diet in many ways – on toast, plain, in a salad or smoothie. But try not to eat more than half an avocado per meal.
Managing brain fog alongside work
Try as we might, sometimes work stress creeps up on us as our workload increases or a large project suddenly gets assigned. Overwork without proper rest can lead to brain fog, which impacts your productivity.
Fortunately, there are ways to combat and manage brain fog as you recover. Eating foods such as fatty fish rich in omega-3, nuts, and leafy greens – as well as a hearty cup of coffee – can boost your cognitive functions. Besides that, they’ll make a great meal at any time of day, so you can eat healthy and delicious food while feeling the positive mental effects.
[1] https://www.healthline.com/health/covid-brain-fog#about
[2] http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.329.375&rep=rep1&type=pdf
[3] https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2484683
[4] https://www.aarp.org/health/brain-health/info-2015/brain-diet.html
[5] https://www.vogue.in/wellness/content/best-foods-to-improve-memory-and-focus-diet-tips
[6] https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/brain-food-for-fatigue#4.-Dark-leafy-greens
[7] https://www1.maine.gov/mdot/challengeme/_assets/docs/
Food%20For%20Thought%20Lunch%20&%20Learn.pdf
[8] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3545982/
