Clearing The Brain Fog

Brain fog is your mind and body’s way of telling you that you need to make some lifestyle changes. Are you forgetting things lately, feel a little off balance and can't concentrate? Got headaches and feel restless or heavy?

My mom was checked into the hospital last night for memory loss. PANIC MODE FOR ME (tears). She's a wound care nurse and was omitted into a hospital where she works. The first reaction was "oh no, she's having a stroke." The cat scan proved it was not. My next thought was, "wow this is severe brain fog or the beginning stages of dementia," as this happens here and there in her daily routines. She's working with a neurologist to find out the exact cause and make a plan of action to avoid this happening again... TBD.

I know in the current classes I'm teaching, many of the symptoms that my healing arts college students (ages 26 - 56) are experiencing are very similar! The same has applied for me, and I know exactly where it comes from.... Brain fog reduces our ability to experience inspiration and happiness, while increasing the likelihood for symptoms of depression and anxiety. CollegeInfoGeek.com expands on the systems and solutions that I have recapped here.

BRAIN FOG SYMPTOMS

1. Lack of Concentration - Mental tasks can feel like a moving target.

2. Forgetfulness - Affects your ability to remember all kinds of information, including academic material, daily tasks like forgetting your car keys, or recent memories.

3. Chronic Fatigue - Characterized by extreme, never-ending tiredness that can’t be remedied by rest or caffeine.

4. Mental Flatlining - Instead of feeling sharp and active like you normally would, you feel “off”: dull, unmotivated, unproductive, and maybe depressed.

CAUSES & SOLUTIONS OF BRAIN FOG

1. Lack of Sleep - Without it, we’re left feeling groggy and stressed. ☆ Solution: Get Enough Sleep and take naps as needed

2. Lack of Exercise - Exercise increases blood flow to the brain and has been demonstrated to improve sleep, boost memory, and reduce stress in addition to its physical health benefits. ☆ Solution: Exercise Regularly - movement releases tension and increases endorphins

3. Stress - When the human body is faced with stressful situations, it releases cortisol, the “fight or flight” hormone. If you’re stressed 24/7, those hormones continually flow throughout your body, making it difficult for you to calm down and think clearly. Some symptoms of high cortisol levels mirror the symptoms of brain fog, such as having a hard time falling asleep, inability to focus and even constantly craving junk food. ☆ Solution: Manage Your Stress Mindfully - clearly communicate stress levels and ask for help as needed

4. 4. Poor Diet - Your brain is the hardest-working organ in your body, and if you want it to function at the highest level, you need to give it the fuel it needs. ☆ Solution: Fuel Up With (Healthy) Brain Food The main macronutrients that feed our brains are proteins, which are the building blocks of our neurotransmitters. Additionally, foods such as salmon, walnuts and pecans, avocado, extra virgin olive oil, and coconut oil contain brain-boosting omega-3 fatty acids that our brains rely on to build brain cells and process information. If you’re looking for a simple, effective diet solution, focus on adding more leafy greens, dark berries, omega-3s, and a high-protein lunch.*See the list of herbs and supplements below, to aid in brain function.

5. Dehydration - Your brain clocks in at 73% water. And according to a study at the University of Connecticut, even a 1% dehydration level can impair cognitive function. Here are just a few side effects of dehydration: ☆ Solution: Drink More Water - less sugar drinks

Dr Bradly Boute recommends Yoga Nidra as a subconscious reset remedy for brain fog. "For people struggling with brain fog or PTSD, please consider Yoga Nidra. It has been scientifically proven to reduce brain cortisol levels back to normal with 11 sessions!"

Southwest Institute of Healing Arts describes Yoga Nidra as “psychic sleep,” an ancient practice that allows the body and mind to enter into a deeply relaxed state with the intention of bringing the conscious mind into harmony with the subconscious and unconscious. Essentially, while the body enters a state of sleep, the mind is guided into a place between sleep and wakefulness in order to accept positive instructions from a facilitator. These instructions are meant to promote mental healing through the power of unconscious visualization, pranic healing through the flow of light and energy in the body, and an increased sense of will power and resilience.

This powerful technique of synchronization has been shown to be useful in eliminating the root causes of negative thinking and stress. Through the perspective gained in Yoga Nidra, we may reduce the impact of tension-related disorders like hypertension, depression, insomnia, asthma, anxiety, chronic pain, digestive illnesses, and much more. Yoga Nidra is also shown to be highly effective in training the mind to access its natural well of creativity, problem solving, memory faculties, and learning abilities.

I too have enjoyed the power in Yoga Nidra from my fellow teachers at healers at SWIHA and Spirit of Yoga!

Other Natural Remedies to rid of Brain Fog include herbs & supplements:

• Ginkgo biloba - revitalizes and improves concentration by improving blood flow to the brain.

• Hawthorn - an antioxidant that strengthens blood vessels and removes toxins.

• Ginseng - an energy boosting herb which stimulates mental activity.

• Fish Oil - The omega-3 fatty acids found in this plays important roles in brain function and development.

• Rosemary - nourishing for the nervous and cerebrovascular systems. ...

• Lemon Balm - often taken in tea form and frequently used to ease anxiety, insomnia, lemon balm may help improve cognitive function

• Ashwagandha - benefits the brain by reducing ​oxidative stress (a factor that may contribute to the development and progression of Alzheimer's disease).

Please reach out if you need support in clearing your Brain Fog during this season as the Corona Virus clears and humanity resets with healing intentions!

#brainfog #yoganidra #memory