So what is brain fog? It can be described as mental fatigue and depending on the severity, it can interfere with work, school and other daily functioning. Brain fog itself isn’t a medical condition but rather a symptom of other medical conditions such as anxiety and depression. Symptoms of brain fog include:
- memory problems
- lack of mental clarity
- poor concentration
- inability to focus
Deep inside your brain are a pair of thumb sized structures called the hippocampus. Just a fYI, hippocampus is the Greek word for seahorse! The hippocampus is what enables you to learn and remember. Unfortunately high levels of ongoing stress or significant stressful events and untreated anxiety and depression may shrink the hippocampus resulting in your brain having difficulty retaining information and holding onto memories.
But here’s the good news! The hippocampus can grow as quickly as it shrinks. These areas in the brain are able to regrow and also have the unique capacity to generate new neurons every day. Like all living things, regrowth and new neurons need support to survive and grow, and the best way to grow these little seahorse shaped brain bits is a HEALTHY LIFESTYLE AND EXERCISE!
The Care4MH team are not going to tell you to start a diet or sign up for a marathon or spend an hour at the gym every day (unless you want to). We are going to suggest you make some simple everyday lifestyle changes such as:
- Prioritise self care
- Go for a gentle walk and take in your surroundings every day
- Practice mindfulness and breathing exercises
- Set small realistic goals to achieve every day
- Reduce or even eliminate caffeine
- Focus on a diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables, protein, healthy oils and minimal processed foods
- Join the Care4MH Walk and Talk Community
For more information call, message or email the Care4MH Team today!
