Cognitive impairment affects over 16 million people in the United States. Those with this condition can struggle to concentrate, learn new things, or remember.
However, those symptoms aren’t restricted to cognitive impairment. They may also indicate brain fog, in which your brain performs sluggishly. If so, you don’t have to worry too much because it’s possible to restore your foggy brain to good condition.
Below, we’ll teach you how to get rid of brain fog with actionable tips you can do today, so read on.
Practice Better Sleep Hygiene
Sleep hygiene refers to a person’s overall quality of sleep. Good sleep hygiene means enjoying consistent, uninterrupted sleep of at least seven hours. Aim for this because it’s during sleep that your brain and body try to heal and recover.
By contrast, insufficient sleep can adversely affect your body and brain health. Indeed, one night of sleep deprivation can already impact cognitive health.
So starting tonight, try to sleep better by putting away your screened devices an hour before bed. You should also avoid a large meal, alcohol, or caffeine several hours before bedtime. Finally, ensure your bedroom is quiet, dark, and at a comfortable temperature.
Move It
Cognitive decline can be almost twice as common in inactive adults as in active adults. One possible reason is that physical exercise affects brain plasticity.
Brain plasticity is the brain’s ability to reorganize its connections, functions, and structure. Therefore, improving this with exercise can help the brain perform its roles better. For the same reason, it can lift the haze of brain fog and improve concentration, memory, and focus.
A general rule for adults is to get 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise weekly. You can break that down into 30-minute workouts over five days to make it easier. Alternatively, you can complete 75 minutes of vigorous activity if you’re fit enough.
Eat Right
Foods packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants help nourish and sustain the brain. They also protect the brain from oxidative stress, which can cause cognitive issues.
Conversely, eating too many high-fat foods can cause oxidative stress in the brain. This can result in specific brain structures becoming inflamed, such as the hippocampus. It may then impair cognition, as the hippocampus handles learning and memory.
If you’re deficient in some nutrients, talk to your doctor about supplementation. This link has more information on what to look for in supplements that may help with brain fog.
Try Doing Mindful Activities
Mindful activities can help boost your mental state by honing your awareness. And where you’re aware of the present moment, you can find it easier to focus and concentrate. This can also help your brain stop being on overdrive, as you’re attention is on one thing.
Meditation, single-tasking, mindful gardening, and music appreciation are some activities you can try.
That’s How to Get Rid of Brain Fog
Brain fog may not be as severe as cognitive impairment, but it can be a precursor to the latter. At the very least, it’s an unpleasant feeling and can impair your productivity.
Luckily, you now know how to get rid of brain fog, so why not implement these strategies as early as today? The sooner you sleep better, eat right, exercise, and be more mindful, the better for your brain and body.
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