We’ve all felt it. Like a heavy curtain over our mind, muffling our ability to concentrate or think clearly, brain fog can settle in and ruin any chance of being productive—but it’s not just productivity that can suffer. Brain fog can really make us feel like we aren’t ourselves, and it can be frustrating and debilitating in other ways, too.
While it has existed before and will continue after the pandemic, there are some links between brain fog and COVID-19. The virus seems to have a brain fog type of effect on some people, and sometimes it can linger for weeks or months. Research is still being done on how long this brain fog lasts, but there are some things you can do to avoid brain fog outside of COVID-19 as well.
Here are some tips to avoid brain fog.
Brain fog defined
What exactly is brain fog? Basically, it’s a signal that there is an imbalance somewhere in your body that needs to be addressed. It can manifest as feelings of grogginess, disorganization or inability to focus. As far as how long brain fog lasts, there’s no real timetable for how long the feeling may linger. It could be hours, days, weeks or more. Fortunately, there are some ways to help avoid brain fog that you can make part of your daily life.
Eat right
Diet and nutrition are huge factors in how our body functions, and that includes the brain. What our bodies are fueled with makes a difference in how it works. Diet is the main cause of common brain fog, whether it’s a long-term affliction or if it just comes and goes.
For example, too much sugar can disrupt regular brain function. A spike in glucose from sugar or other refined carbohydrates will be followed by a drop in glucose, and that can leave the brain running on fumes. Nothing runs well when it’s starved for fuel.
Another tip to help reduce brain fog is to eat less vegetable oil. Canola oil, in particular, is high in omega-6 fatty acids, which can contribute to brain inflammation. This can be a root cause of brain fog and other ailments like anxiety, depression and memory loss.
Get the right vitamins
Another way to avoid imbalances in the body that can lead to brain fog is to make sure to get enough vitamins. Vitamin B12, for example, is one of the most common vitamins to be lacking, especially in a vegan diet. This can lead to a feeling of lethargy and sluggishness.
Vitamin D is another commonly-lacking nutrient that can lead to brain fog. This can be gained through sun exposure, but being cooped up at home during a global pandemic isn’t really conducive to getting a lot of time outdoors. Vitamin D supplements can help balance out this type of deficiency and can also help improve your mood and fight depression.
While the science is still being worked on with regard to the link between brain fog and COVID-19, it can’t hurt to do whatever you can to help fight brain fog naturally on your own. For the best selection of supplements and more to help keep your body in balance, contact A Gift of Health today.