Everyday activities that can cause brain fog and ways you can pull yourself out of it

How many nights a week do you procrastinate sleep after a long day at work to scroll through reels or watch the next episode of some show? If you’re anything like me, your answer is: almost every day. And while it feels like we are relaxing, our brain will disagree. This over-consumption of information and content, not to mention our never-ending task lists leave us feeling exhausted and spaced out. You might struggle to string a sentence together or find the right word or remember the name of someone you just met. 

This all-too-common phenomenon is called brain fog. It comes with a wave of anxiety and leaves you with overwhelming exhaustion and scrambling for answers to basic questions. Thankfully though, it’s often temporary and easily treatable with a few hacks and some lifestyle changes. Easier said than done, I know, but wouldn’t you like to remember what it felt like to not space out every five minutes? If your answer is yes, read on! 

Take creative breaks  

It’s crucial to give your brain some rest. We’re constantly consuming information and the brain, like any other part of our body, gets tired. To avoid that, find something you enjoy doing and do it every few hours. And no, watching shows doesn’t count as a break, no matter how much you love true crime or sappy rom-com. You could take up sketching, take a stroll around your office or even solve a brain teaser. Recent studies showed that regular engagement with puzzles, crosswords, or word-based games measurably improves brain function. So, take a break and sudoku! 

Use cold water

Cold water can jolt you out of your brain fog, and we aren’t just saying this. Studies show that our brain loves the cold in small doses. For instance, a 2016 Psychological Science study found that even looking at pictures of cold landscapes improves or boosts performance on cognitive tasks. The study theorised that, as babies we are programmed to believe that feeling warm means we are safe while being cold means we are unprotected and need to stay alert. Thus, showering or splashing your face with cold water can melt the brain fog right away. You could also try drinking a tall glass of ice-cold water. 

Seems like it’s time to change your computer’s wallpaper from puppies to an Arctic landscape! 

Avoid multitasking 

Sometimes, brain fog is because your brain has way too many tabs open. If your attention is pulled in hundred different directions, there is bound to be a short circuit somewhere. So, when you feel a brain fog coming on, it’s best to focus on one task at a time. This allows your brain to reset and every task gets your undivided attention. However, don’t pour all your energies into one task. Space it out and manage your time such that smaller tasks don’t take up all your energy while the bigger ones get left out.  

Focus on gut health  

Poor gut health is one of the main causes of brain fog. A lot of research shows that eating processed and overly sweet food impacts our bodies and brains. And considering most dopamine and serotonin (feel-good hormones) are produced in our intestinal tract, it’s not surprising that not eating right makes our brain foggier than ever. Okay, we’re not saying to dump the cookie packets, but suggesting you introduce anti-inflammatory foods and probiotics into your diet to keep your brain happy.