You had your lunch at Noon and it is 2 pm, and you are sitting at your desk. How does this make you feel? Are you focused and alert? Are you spacing out or have no energy?
You are feeling the urge to crawl under your desk for a quick nap like the people worldwide who struggle with brain fog.
Brain fog is a temporary condition that can make it difficult for you to concentrate, recall or retain information, and complete tasks. Let’s find out what really is the reason why we have that afternoon slump in energy and focus, and what we can do to overcome it.
What Causes Brain Fog
Brain fog is a lack of mental clarity and poor concentration that can feel like you are not present. For others, brain fog feels like mental fatigue, feeling forgetful, and unable to think clearly.
It is not an illness, but it can be a symptom of health issues such as fatigue syndrome. Many medications can cause brain fog.
Beyond health issues, lifestyle is a major factor of brain fog. Lack of sleep, consistent tension, and unhealthy eating habits are the most common reasons why we feel foggy in the head. On the bright side there are several things we can improve with some smart lifestyle changes.
5 Ways to Overcome Afternoon Brain Fog
1. Improve Sleep
Lack of sleep is one of the most common causes of brain fog. If you are not sleeping 8 hours and tossing and turning throughout the night, your brain is not spending enough time in restorative deep sleep. You wake up already in a mentally drained mood that will start to show by lunchtime when your coffee boost declines. The only way to solve this is to prioritize your sleep routine. As important are your daily meetings or deadlines you need to make sure your evening routine are important as well. Experts say it can take up to four days to overcome just one hour of sleep loss, so try to keep your routine on weekends to. If getting good night’s sleep is a challenge for you, no matter what time you go to bed, CBD may help. Many people find that taking CBD before bed can help relax their minds and improve a restful sleep. Simple Pleasures CBD Softgels or CBD Tinctures are created to support healthy sleep patterns and help your brain for rest.
2. You Need Movement
When you are feeling groggy with brain fog, exercise will be the last thing you are thinking about or feel like doing. However, a walk outside could be very beneficial to bring you to the present and restore your sharp focus. Exercise stimulates blood flow throughout your body and to the brain.
Take a walk, do yoga poses, or even lift small weights while you dance to your favorite tunes. By doing this quick afternoon exercise outside or inside, you increase the benefits. Studies show that spending time outdoors helps with relaxation and lowering cortisol levels, enhances concentration and short-term memory. Just the energy you need to get through the last half of your day!
3. Foods Good for Brain Health
You know the saying, “Food is Fuel.” Without the appropriate nutrients, our brains can not function properly. Some common foods that have an established negative relationship with brain fog are peanuts, artificial sweeteners, and dairy.
Plan your afternoon with a healthy lunch that supports mood, energy, and awareness. Some of the healthiest foods to eat for brain fog are foods rich in antioxidants like colorful fruits and green vegetables, B vitamins-lean meats, beans, eggs, and omega-3 fatty acids such as salmon, avocado, nuts, and seeds.
4. Practice Brain Stimulation Meditation
Meditation can help you break through or prevent that annoying afternoon brain fog.
If you are not into meditating, not a problem. Relax your mind by meditating, taking a nap, socializing, or going for a walk. Your brain is running 24/7, so it can get a little exhausted from time to time. Sometimes it just needs a little downtime to recalibrate, replenish, and recharge.
Next time you feel an afternoon slump sneaking in, switch the caffeine for a meditation break, spend a few minutes focusing on some breathing techniques, or listen to zen music.
5. Find A Tension Relief Method
Tension affects emotionally, impacts how your brain and body functions. Studies show that tension affects our nervous system causing, exhaustion on your mental energy and decreases your ability to think clearly. How to handle tension is not easy, it is a lifestyle. As you discover what works for you to reduce your personal tension, here are some methods to alleviate tension and boost your brain power.
Try tension relief aromatherapy oil like peppermint or lavender
Take 5 minute breaks in your day to stretch or go outside to nature
Take a CBD supplement to calm your mind
Unwind at night with a book
Afternoon slumps are common, but that does not mean you have to struggle through it. When you feel brain fog starting to interfere with your work or social life, action is necessary! Try these steps so you it can help you clear the fog away.
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