We’ve all seen or felt brain fog in action. It’s the man driving to work with a coffee mug on top of his car… The woman who turns the shower back on because she forgot to rinse out her conditioner.

Have you ever felt as if your thought processes were more sluggish and ineffective than they could be? When those occasional mental slip-ups start becoming an ongoing clouding of consciousness, you may actually be experiencing not just forgetfulness, but brain fog. Luckily, there are several easy and natural solutions for this common problem.

In our modern society, we are all bombarded with 24/7 information and sensory inputs. So it’s no wonder many of us feel distracted. You might even realize that your routine and goals are being affected by prolonged feelings of exhaustion, forgetfulness, confusion. In turn, an overall decrease in concentration.

Luckily, it IS possible to feel sharp and confident again. Our advice is to first identify the possible causes of brain fog, then consider natural health supplements and life hacks for mental clarity.

What Causes Brain Fog?

1. Mental Malnutrition: Dr. Eva Selhub of Harvard Medical School suggests the relatively new field of nutritional psychiatry is growing for good reason — your brain functions better with “premium fuel.” A consistent diet of processed foods delivers far less nutrients and probiotics needed for clearer cognitive function.

2. Dehydration: Numerous scientific studies link a lack of water intake to sluggish physical and mental performance. Medical experts suggest that approximately three in every four Americans consume an inadequate amount of water daily, leaving them susceptible to lower quality mental and physical health.

3. Poor Physical Health: A strong body promotes a strong mind. An out-of-shape body, on the other hand, can contribute to clouding of consciousness. This may be a significant factor for many Americans — the CDC reports that 36% of adults ages 20 and older in the US are obese. The leading category in these metrics is middle-aged women at 42% nationally.

4. Information Overload: Humans have always been social creatures, but the 24/7 connectivity that many of us experience is something that we simply haven’t dealt with before. Most of us live in an inescapable sea of information that our brain simply can’t process all at once. Your stress and anxiety starts to build up, and your brain starts to perform like a car stuck in mud — he tires spin in place and bury themselves in a futile rut.

5. Lack of Sleep: You probably know by now, the importance of sleep for the brain. Deep rest is a recharge mechanism that gives the mind time to recover and build new connections. The CDC’s most recent national measure of sleep suggests one in every three US adults doesn’t get a healthy amount of sleep. Thus, it comes as no surprise that the brains of those 35% of Americans are performing below their functional capacity.

Natural Solutions to Brain Fog

Think of the causes mentioned above… You may find that your routine encourages several of these precipitating factors for a clouding of consciousness. Fortunately, there are safe, easy, and often overlooked ways to deal with this.

A bit of knowledge and a shift of habit could distance you from mental fog. With just some small but steady efforts, you could find that you no longer lose car keys or stall after reading a single page in a book.

1. Nourish Your Mind.

   A clean diet and natural supplements are your first steps toward a clearer mind. Try opting for whole foods over processed meals, and avoid large amounts of trans fats, sugars, and artificial sweeteners (each of which are considered detrimental to brain function). Natural health supplements like Focusene come packed with natural ingredients that have been tested to encourage cognitive function. One of the primary effects of vitamins B1, B3, B5, and B12 — as recognized in scientific publications — is improving functions in the brain like memory, focus, and learning.

   Ginseng is an age-old cognitive enhancer dating hundreds of years back to traditional Chinese medicine. Korean red ginseng (found in Focusene) is one of the most medicinally effective forms of the plant, with several components that moderate a higher level of neurotransmission.

   Ginko biloba (found in Focusene) is a natural health supplement derived from the ginko tree. It’s commonly used for its beneficial effect on memory and concentration, thanks to its stimulation of crucial neurochemicals such as serotonin and dopamine.

2. Nourish Your Body.
   It seems simple, because it is. Ample exercise will benefit your cognitive function. Fitness is easier said than done, of course. Heidi Godman, Executive Editor of Harvard Health Letter, links active lifestyles to the growth of parts of the brain that influence intelligence and the release of natural chemicals to improve brain function.

   A few simple fitness hacks in your routine could make a huge difference over time. Easy ways to start could include riding your bike to work, taking the stairs, exercising during media advertisements, or simply parking your car further from a store’s entrance.

   Stripping your diet down to simple basics like lean meats and vegetables with minimal sauces can also create a healthy “reset” for your mental clarity. Try avoiding anything fried, very fatty or saucy for a week or two. As all the excess toxins flush from your body, you’ll be surprised how clear your thinking becomes. Pro-tip, avoiding alcohol consumption will also pay off big, helping you think more clearly and sleep more restfully.

3. Get More Sleep.

   Your brain isn’t a smartphone — it needs more than a couple of hours to recharge. If you’re not already getting the recommended 7-9 hours of sleep each night, try being more cognizant of rest in your routine. Of course, this too is easier said than done.

   Many people get to bed on time but simply cannot sleep — a common problem in our daily lives filled with information overload. Recent advances in natural health supplementation have taken timeless sleep aids such as melatonin and chamomile and combined them in unique forms.

   For example, products like our Sleep Fast Enhanced Melatonin Spray combine five natural sleep aids in a simple oral delivery to prepare the mind for a deep and restorative sleep. It contains Valerian root, an extract with sedative effects that are used to treat insomnia and anxiety.

4. Practice Brain Exercises.
   Reading is one of the oldest and most effective ways to train your brain. A study led by neuroscientist George Burns suggests that reading a novel has significant effects in neurotransmission, even if it’s just a few chapters. If you’re this far in this post, you’ve already proven a dedication to bettering your mind.

   It doesn’t really matter what type of literature is your favorite, as long as it’s substantive and aligned with your reading ability.Check out this list of brain exercises that are easy to incorporate bit by bit into your routine. There are also online websites like Luminosity that let you train your brain while having fun through online games.

5. Meditation
   Controlled mindfulness is, in essence, the clearing of mental fog and all of its distractions. The goal of meditation is to simply be present and fully aware. It might take a bit of time to get the hang of it, but the benefits for your mental clarity will be astounding.

   Here’s a good beginner’s summary on mindfulness and a list of mediation books chosen by Buddhist teachers. Get your feet wet and see how you like it.

There’s no need to be complacent with a clouding of consciousness. Don’t give up hope — it’s totally treatable, by making sure your body and mind are getting what they need. Take advantage of the tips mentioned above, and start pushing the limits of your mental capacity today!

What do you think you’ll accomplish once your mind’s fog has been lifted? Tell us below.