There are few things more frustrating than the experience of brain fog—that feeling of mental haziness that makes it nearly impossible to read, get work done, or even carry out one’s daily tasks with a sense of alertness. It can cause one to feel fatigued, confused, forgetful and unable to pay attention. Sometimes a bout of brain fog can be induced by a night of poor sleep, overwork or stress. It can also be a symptom of larger underlying conditions, including chronic fatigue syndrome, multiple sclerosis, heart conditions or pregnancy. If you’ve experienced brain fog on a regular or extended basis, it’s important to see a doctor to determine the potential cause.
Ayurvedic wisdom also offers a number of natural remedies to combat brain fog. In Ayurveda, it is believed that our bodies, minds, spirits and environments are interconnected, and that achieving balance between our internal constitution and external world is necessary for true health. Maintaining balance requires attunement to our physical and mental needs. Brain fog is a condition that signals an underlying imbalance that can be redressed with dietary and lifestyle changes. Read on to learn more about how Ayurveda can help alleviate brain fog.
AYURVEDIC TIPS FOR ALLEVIATING BRAIN FOG
Eat A Diet Rich In Antioxidants
One cause of brain fog might be oxidative stress, which is caused when the body doesn’t have enough antioxidants to combat the accumulation of free radicals. Our brains depend on antioxidants for their functioning; without enough antioxidants, oxidative stress can thus contribute to feelings of slowness, fatigue, mental exhaustion and haziness. Incorporating antioxidant-rich foods into your diet is one potent way to stave off brain fog. (What’s more, antioxidants also help combat the effects of aging caused by free radical damage, which include wrinkles and hyperpigmentation—the benefits of making such a change to your diet will manifest both inside and out!)
Incorporating a wide array of fruits, vegetables, nuts and legumes into your diet will provide you with an abundance of antioxidants. As we detail here, such antioxidant-rich ingredients include kale, almonds, broccoli, blueberries, carrots, pomegranates and green tea.
Practice Meditation And Yoga
One major cause of brain fog is stress and anxiety, which can leave us feeling mentally paralyzed and unable to function. Ayurvedic practices like meditation and yoga offer powerful methods for combating stress that combat imbalance at the root rather than offering a merely surface-level remedy. Furthermore, meditation and yoga offer profound benefits for one’s long-term mental and spiritual well-being. Beginning one’s day with yoga or meditation can thus helps in memory enhancement, induce feelings of groundedness, alertness and self-connectedness.
To get the most out of your meditation and yogic practice, it’s important to tailor your routine to your specific needs and imbalances. Our blog here outlines different meditation techniques depending on your dosha. Here, we outline different yoga poses for different doshas.
Try Out Mind-sharpening Ayurvedic Herbs
Ayurvedic herbs offer another potent natural source for sharpening the mind, combating fatigue and boosting mental alertness. Herbal supplements like Tulsi, or holy basil, has been shown to boost cognitive function, alleviate anxiety and depression and promote overall immunity and well-being. Ashwagandha is an adaptogen that is rich in antioxidants that is lauded for its ability to combat stress and promote overall happiness. While many know turmeric for its anti-aging and immunity-boosting effects, it also has been shown to reduce stress, boost neurological function and combat mental fatigue.
One simple way to incorporate some of these ingredients into your routine is by taking an Ayurvedic supplement. Our UMA Brilliant Brain Herbal Supplement and UMA Deep De-Stress Herbal Supplement are good places to start.
You can also try out Ayurvedic aromatherapy tools, such as our Pure Energy Wellness Oil or our Pure Calm Wellness Candle. These products incorporate a range of brain-boosting, anxiety-soothing, energy booster ingredients like basil, ginger, jasmine and more for a clarifying, rejuvenating self-care experience.
When you’re in the thick of it, it’s easy to feel like there’s nothing that can be done to combat brain fog. Fortunately, that’s not the case—by trying out some of these Ayurvedic remedies, you can take your mental well-being into your own hand.
