Causes of Brain Fog and How to Avoid it

We’ve all been there: you’re in the middle of a conversation, and then all of a sudden, your brain seems to short-circuit. Maybe you totally spaced out and lost your train of thought, or maybe you just can’t focus no matter how hard you try. Instead of feeling like you’re on top of the world, you feel like you’re trudging through jello. 

When you can’t think clearly or recall information as quickly, the confidence in your abilities can take a tumble. You feel less sharp and unorganized, which can crush the efficiency and ambition you once oozed— leading you down a slippery slope that can be devastating to your productivity and success. 

These momentary lapses in concentration or memory are normal for most of us as we all tend to experience a fuzzy brain from time to time. But sometimes, these undeniably frustrating blips happen frequently and can negatively impact life in more ways than one.

Known as “brain fog,” these bouts of unclarity can come like massive waves, rendering you unable to think clearly, incapable of performing everyday tasks, or holding simple conversations. Needless to say, it can really put a damper on your day! 

That being said, if you often forget what you’re saying halfway through a sentence, can’t remember where you parked your car more than you’d like to admit, or feel like your ability to focus has gone out the window as of recently, then you’re in luck because there is hope.

The clouds can part so you can get your brainpower back — you just need to know how to do it! In this post, we’re exploring brain fog to uncover what causes it and how to avoid it so you can keep mental fatigue and cloudy days at bay. Are you ready? 

Let’s dive in!

Everything You Need To Know About Brain Fog

Annoying at best and alarming at worst, brain fog isn’t actually a medical condition but rather a loose term commonly used to describe the feeling of being mentally sluggish and fuzzy. It can show up in many different ways, but for most, it feels as if your head is full of cotton candy where there once was dense intellectual nervous tissue. 

Simply put, the lights are on, but there’s nobody home. 

Some examples of the effects of brain fog might include:

• Being unable to focus and frequently getting distracted

• Forgetting about a task at hand

• Taking longer than usual to finish basic tasks

• Needing to be reminded about something that was just said

• Appearing to be in a daze

When brain fog strikes, you might be unable to concentrate for more than just a few minutes. You may have trouble making up your mind, find small decisions are a big deal, and require more caffeine to focus and sugary snacks to stay awake. And in some cases, you might experience a pounding headache or even nausea.

 

What Are the Signs of Brain Fog?

If you’re like millions of other people across the globe, chances are you’ve experienced your fair share of mindless moments. Associated with your cognitive functions, brain fog impairs your ability to acquire or process information and can manifest in many ways, from mundane to very serious. 

Think you might be dealing with it? Here are some of the most common signs:

Sign #1: Poor Concentration

When you can’t concentrate, many tasks can feel like a fast-moving target. Rather than being able to really hone in and focus, your mind constantly wanders, thinking about anything and everything but the task at hand, making it a true challenge to get anything done. 

Sign #2: Forgetfulness

Brain fog can hurt your ability to retain information, like having trouble remembering facts for a test, forgetting where you parked the car, or not being able to put your finger on what you wore to work the day before. 

Sign #3: Chronic Fatigue

A common symptom of brain fog, chronic fatigue is distinguished by never-ending tiredness and sleepiness that can’t be helped by rest or copious amounts of caffeine.

Sign #4: Lack of Mental Clarity

From cloudy thought processes to being easily distracted, lack of mental clarity is closely connected to the fuzziness that accompanies brain fog. The inability to keep a clear head may lead to slow or poor decision-making.

Sign #5: Moodiness

When anyone is feeling especially tired, confused, or struggling to perform at their best, moodiness is almost inevitable. But beyond the added stress that this already places on you — not to mention the fact that being a grump tends to further deplete energy levels — moodiness can negatively impact both professional and personal relationships, which can further intensify an already stressful situation. In simpler terms, brain fog can turn into a vicious cycle that can lead to a poor attitude resulting in more stress and even more moodiness.   

 

Common Causes of Brain Fog and How To Fix Them

When you catch a bad bug and are feeling under the weather, it’s usually just a matter of bad luck that you have to wait out until it passes. Brain fog, however, is very different — it’s not something you can catch, and it’s not something you can ride out until the symptoms go away. 

You see, brain fog is your body’s way of communicating to you that you probably need to make an adjustment or two in your daily life. 

That being said, when you can’t think straight and tasks are piling up, trying to pinpoint what’s causing all the haziness is no easy feat. But as soon as you locate the cause and find a solution, the sooner you’ll be back to your wonderful old self — without the brain fog. 

Here are some of the most common causes of brain fog and what to do about them:

Dehydration

Of all the organs in your body, the brain is the first to show signs of dehydration. In fact, being just slightly dehydrated can reduce cognitive function. 

So, if your haziness comes and goes during the day, try drinking some H2O. Add a pinch of pink Himalayan salt or a squeeze of lemon for electrolytes. 

We also recommend our powerful plant-based energy shots for an extra boost of energy, hydration, and brain-lovin’ nutrients like L-Theanine!

Poor Sleep

If you’re not clocking in the recommended seven to nine hours of shut-eye each night, chances are you’re no stranger to brain fog. Sleep is imperative for good health, and a lack of it can cause hormonal issues that can negatively impact your neurological function and emotional intelligence. So if you want to stay sharp, prioritize your sleep. 

Stress

Prolonged stress can also exhaust the brain. When your mind is tired, focusing, thinking, and reasoning become challenging. Additionally, chronic stress can weaken your immune system, increase blood pressure, and trigger emotional instability. 

Life is short — so take a deep breath and find time for yourself to unwind and de-stress. Get away from your fast-paced life to really focus on yourself. Find things that bring you joy, like yoga, painting, or dancing. Happiness is a great way to combat stress.  

Poor Diet

If brain fog is something you experience regularly, you could be low in certain nutrients that your brain needs to function at its best. Eating a healthy, well-rounded diet full of colorful fruits and veggies can do wonders for your brain health. 

A poor diet loaded with processed sugar, refined carbs, and a lack of protein, on the other hand, can severely impact your mood, energy, and focus resulting in — you guessed it — brain fog.

A Final Word

Brain fog can be a real nuisance, to say the least. It can make it very challenging to focus, remember things, or stay attentive. It can also cause you to feel out of sorts and not like yourself. 

If you’ve been feeling in a haze, take a moment to assess your daily routine to find what’s causing the brain fog so you can fix it and get back to living your best life. 

Here at Proper Wild, we know how frustrating brain fog can be. That’s why we created our mouth-watering clean all-day energy shots — designed to maximize your productivity by boosting your mental clarity. Masterfully crafted with natural fruit juices and nothing artificial, you’ll get a clean, smooth, natural taste, without the junk.

Don’t let brain fog ruin your day — try Proper Wild and harness the power of clean ingredients to boost your energy, focus, and productivity.