A few lifestyle tweaks can help clear out mental clouds.

As you get older, though, your brain may not be quite as nimble.

What Is Brain Fog?

What Is Brain Fog? Brain Fog Meaning, Causes, and Fixes: clouds covering woman’s face

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Brain fog is a general feeling of forgetfulness and confusion that is often paired with difficulty concentrating.

“The best way to describe it is when you really just don’t feel like yourself.

Mike Dow, PhD, PsyD.

[Brain fog] can unfold differently for different people.

It could be trouble bringing words to mind, a gray mood, low energy, or forgetfulness.

It’s why you may often feel sleepy after a sugary treat or carb-heavy meal.

That “crash” is not only physical but mental as well.

“Intermittent fasting causes new brain cell growth, called neurogenesis.

The result:Our brains are fatigued.

“It’s too much for our brains.”

“By minimizing those stretches of work time, youalleviate the stress on your brain.”

Give Meditation a Go

Meditation can also help clear your head.

Dow recommends meditating for 12 minutes every day (although even a few minutes will help).

And absolutely, try toput the phone downfor a few hours a day to prevent information overload.

Evena daily walk or other low-impact workoutan hour is bestcan reset your brain.

Even learning something newas long as it’s engaging and not stressfulcan give your brain a much-needed tune-up.

Well, it’s not a coincidence; nature is said to have positive effects on cognition.

Additionally, numerous studies indicate that heavy alcohol use can have long-term effects on the brain.

American Psychological Association,That Gut Feeling.

Accessed October 28, 2022.

Li J, Cacchione PZ, Hodgson N, et al.

Berman MG, Jonides J, Kaplan S. The cognitive benefits of interacting with nature.Psychol Sci.

Attention restoration during environmental exposure via alpha-theta oscillations and synchronization.Journal of Environmental Psychology.

Sabia S, Elbaz A, Britton A, et al.

Alcohol consumption and cognitive decline in early old age.Neurology.

Ingram J, Hand CJ, Maciejewski G. Social isolation during COVID-19 lockdown impairs cognitive function.Appl Cogn Psychol.