What Is Brain Fog and How Do I Improve Clarity?

Sometimes finding the cause of mental fatigue (brain fog) is a no-brainer. We explain what brain fog is and tips to help clear it away.

What is brain fog?

Mental fatigue, or ‘brain fog’ as it’s often known, isn’t a specific medical condition – it’s simply that feeling of your brain not serving you as well as you know it can. This can affect you in many ways, because your brain has such a vast range of functions. It could mean that you have trouble with your memory – easy to notice when you forget to complete a routine task, or a go blank trying to remember a familiar person’s name (we all know this feeling!). Or maybe you find yourself struggling with simple calculations, like counting loose change when you’re paying for a coffee.

What causes brain fog?

The causes of brain fog are as diverse as the symptoms. So if you’ve got that foggy feeling, it’s best to work out what’s behind it before it gets too frustrating.

Lack of sleep – your brain needs both quality and quantity when it comes to sleep. Without enough good sleep, you’re likely to feel a little fuzzy headed, and have trouble concentrating.
Stress – when stress becomes an ongoing issue, it can tire your brain out to the point where thinking, reasoning and focusing become harder.
Hormonal changes can have an impact on your memory and ability to think clearly.
Diet – your brain needs energy and nutrition, much like other parts of your body. Getting enough vitamin B-12 and iron are particularly important.
Physical inactivity – your brain works very closely with your body, and it doesn’t operate well when you sit all day and don’t take the time to keep physically fit.

How to clear the fog

When you’re feeling mentally fatigued, it’s a good idea to get a few simple strategies in place that can often get your brain back to its normal self.

Improve your sleeping habits – aim for 8 to 9 hours of sleep per night
Manage your stress levels – take time out to do things that make you happy
Give your diet a boost – with more protein, fruit, vegetables, and sources of healthy fats such as nuts, avocados and olive oil
Keep your alcohol and caffeine intake low – tough but worth it
Exercise more – getting regular exercise and becoming physically fit is great for brain fitness

If these hacks aren’t helpful, then it’s best to speak with your health professional. It might be a good idea to get your iron levels checked if you suspect that these could be low, especially if you feel physically fatigued too.

Once you have cleared the fog, you might even consider strategies for enhancing your mental clarity further. Meditation is a great option for boosting mental performance, and has other great health benefits. Or you could consider introducing a natural plant-based supplement to your routine, for some extra brain support.