Brain Fog is Really All in Your Head
Feeling frustrated because you cannot stay focused?
Do words for simple thoughts evade you?
Are you beyond exhausted, moving through the day in an unrelenting haze?
Try to think back to the last time you felt energetic, sharp and focused. Back to a time when you didn’t forget why you walked in the kitchen; or when it was easy to give directions to the house you’ve lived in for years. Was it before you accidentally hit your head? Before you had your first child? Perhaps it was before having a serious illness like COVID-19. You aren’t alone.
According to Dr. Sabina Brennan more than 600 million people are struggling with cognitive dysfunction that can only be described as Brain Fog.
While Brain Fog is real, it is not a disease or a disorder. It is an umbrella term for symptoms like mental and physical fatigue, feeling clumsy, memory issues, lack of clarity, trouble focusing, and problems with language. No doubt everyone has experienced some degree of Brain Fog. Jet lag, the antihistamines you took for your allergies or maybe a late night out partying with your friends can all create a foggy brain. However, the hazy feeling induced by a late flight usually goes away with a good night’s sleep and plenty of water.
Persistent Brain Fog is a warning sign that something is not right. We’re talking about the kind of Brain Fog that knocks you down over and over, day after day. The kind that leaves you speechless, not because you don’t have anything to say; speechless because the words will not form in your mouth. We are talking about the fuzzy headed feeling that makes simple tasks seem impossible and fatigue that is debilitating.
Just like the heart and lungs, your brain is an organ, when something is wrong it gives you signals. When you have a slight, occasional cough you can probably attribute it to talking too much or a dry throat. When your cough is constant and impacts every aspect of your life you know there is an underlying issue that needs to be addressed. The same is true for Brain Fog, there are underlying issues that need to be addressed.
While many relate the symptoms of Brain Fog with COVID-19, you might be surprised to know that it is not a new phenomenon. Those who struggle with invisible disorders and autoimmune diseases like fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, and celiac disease have reported symptoms of severe fatigue, a cloudy brain, and loss of memory. Having a concussion or unidentified traumatic brain injury can also cause poor memory, inability to focus or learn, and low energy. New moms or women who are going through menopause often experience forgetfulness and have difficulty vocalizing thoughts. Mental and physical fatigue, sluggishness, and an overall feeling of exhaustion are not atypical for those recovering from serious illness caused by an infection or virus, like Covid 19.
If you or a loved one find that the many symptoms of Brain Fog are disrupting your quality of life, income or relationships, you should certainly talk with your health care provider. After serious or underlying medical issues are ruled out, there are many simple things you can do to improve your memory, energy, and mental well-being.
The symptoms of Brain Fog vary from person to person, but there is a common thread; the brain. When you don’t feel right, it is likely your brainwaves are not producing a healthy pattern; in other words, they are dysregulated. When the brain is dysregulated people struggle with poor sleep, mental and physical fatigue, anxiety, and a general sense of hopelessness.
Tips to Improve Brain Fog
- Move your body – Even a few minutes of light physical activity will help. Just walking outside for 30 minutes can release endorphins and help you feel better.
- Stay hydrated – You only need to be 1% dehydrated to experience a 5% decrease in cognitive function.
- Eat Mediterranean-style meals – A healthy diet improves brain health.
- Make sleep a priority – Chronic sleep deprivation is connected to a lack of mental clarity and poor memory.
Did you know Neurofeedback helps with brainwave dysregulation?
Neurofeedback is technology-driven learning for the brain. It is painless, drugless, free of harmful side effects, and enhances other therapeutic modalities. Neurofeedback uses operant conditioning through the use of positive visual and auditory reinforcement to encourage the brain to self-regulate and improve communication within the brain and the central nervous system. When the brain is functioning better, mental clarity, energy, and sleep improve.
Don’t you want to know where your brain is dysregulated?
A qEEG brain map is the starting point for neurofeedback and shows you exactly where there is dysregulation. The information is compiled into an easy-to-read report that is used to determine a neurofeedback plan specific to each individual.
SYMMETRY Neuro-Pathway Training provides neurofeedback services and systems that help the brain better regulate because everyone deserves the opportunity to thrive.
Brain Fog is real. Don’t wait another day to find the help you’ve been searching for. Sign up with the form below to get more information about Brain Fog. It will guide you to schedule a call, at a time most convenient for you, to learn how SYMMETRY Neuro-Pathway Training can help you clear the Brain Fog and get your life back.
