6 Main Reasons Why You Have Brain Fog And Difficulties To Concentrate
We all feel sluggish at times. Whether we haven’t gotten our morning cup of coffee or it’s getting really late at night, and we can’t wait to get to bed, our minds tend to get a little fuzzy.
Lacking clarity isn’t a medical condition in itself; while it’s normal at times, it can be a sign of a more serious health condition if it becomes excessive.
Brain fog hampers your ability to focus and recall certain information or events. It can be a cause of one or more health conditions and factors.
If you’ve been experiencing concentration issues lately, you should start paying more attention to your body.
Here are 6 main reasons why you have brain fog and difficulty concentrating.
You’re Stressed
Whether you’ve been biting off more than you can chew, or you can’t stop worrying and overthinking, you may drive your body to its limits.
If this goes on, you can eventually become chronically stressed. This may result in a debilitated immune system, heightened blood pressure, and may even trigger mental fatigue and depression.
An exhausted and overworked brain can make it hard for you to think clearly and concentrate.
If your life revolves around a specific routine, this may also trigger chronic stress. You should try to partake in your hobbies and mentally stimulating activities to help you stay at the top of your game.
It wouldn’t harm to try new things every once in a while, as well. It can be as small as deciding to take a different route home, doing your tasks differently, watching different movie genres, or listening to new music.
Inadequate Sleep
It goes without saying that inadequate sleep can mess with your brain and other body functions. We all notice how we have to exert more effort to use our brains after not getting enough sleep.
To compensate for all the sleepless nights, many of us tend to sleep a lot during the weekends. This, however, can also cause you to wake up feeling tired or with a headache.
Sleep is very important when it comes to helping the body get rid of harmful toxins that can result in brain fog. Your best bet is to get to 9 hours of sleep every night.
To ensure a good night’s sleep, you should also try to avoid using any electronic devices before you go to bed.
This way, you’ll be able to avoid cloudy thoughts, feel more energized, and boost your mental functions.
Changes In Hormones
If you’re experiencing hormonal changes, the chances are that you’re also suffering from brain fog.
This is why pregnancy and menopause are among the other causes of brain fog among women.
Pregnant women often find it hard to focus and recall specific events due to an increase in their progesterone and estrogen levels.
The drop in estrogen levels is also what makes it common for women in menopause to experience periods of fuzzy thinking and forgetfulness.
Unhealthy Diet
Did you know that an unhealthy or unbalanced diet can cause you to develop brain fog? You are what you eat, after all.
Our diets play a huge role in our mental functions. Lack of vitamins, such as vitamin B-12, in the body, can promote unhealthy brain functions.
If you suspect you may have food allergies, yet still include these foods in your diet, you may also suffer from brain fog. Peanuts, MSG, dairy, and aspartame are common trigger foods.
Medical Condition
Any medical condition that’s associated with fatigue, blood glucose level fluctuations, and inflammations may result in mental fatigue.
For instance, a common symptom of chronic fatigue syndrome is brain fog.
If you suffer from anemia, diabetes, migraines, depression, hypothyroidism, Sjögren syndrome, dehydration, or an autoimmune disease, this may also contribute to your inability to focus and think clearly.
Medications
Brain fog is typically among the most common medication side effects. If you notice that you have cloudy thoughts while on medication, you may want to consult your doctor.
Ask them if they can change the medication or lower your current dosage. If you’re a cancer patient, you may also be experiencing a symptom known as “chemo brain.”
Brain fog can be especially uncomfortable if it causes you to space out the majority of the time. Focusing on your current tasks or following through with conversations can seem impossible.
You can feel disconnected; brain fog can make it challenging for you to stay in touch with your surroundings and recall things. Figuring out what’s triggering your brain fog can help you get things back on track.