Try to remember that the people who care for you probably want to help in whatever way they can, even just by listening. Studying at the end of a busy day is rough, and your brain probably isn’t at its sharpest then, anyway. Try adjusting your study time so that you can put in some time when you feel more alert, like over breakfast. When you’re already functioning at full capacity, thinking about a big job you have to get done can make you feel as if your brain is ready to shut down. You’re already mentally exhausted, so a new project may seem too daunting for you to even make a start.

Recommended Lifestyle Changes

• If you experience brain fog symptoms while taking certain medications it’s important to talk to your functional medicine doctor.
• Maybe you’re in a situation where something absolutely has to get done, but you just don’t have the time or energy to do it.
• An estimated 27 million Americans have some form of thyroid dysfunction.
• You may have difficulty making up your mind, which means small decisions become a big deal.
• You can do this by incorporating more meditation and yoga into your routine.

In the following sections, we’ll explore the symptoms, causes, and solutions for brain fog. Anxiety can also contribute to stomach problems that make it difficult to eat like you normally would. If you skip a few meals, you might end up feeling nauseous at the thought of food, which can drain you even more.

• This can reduce how much serotonin (a chemical messenger) your body produces, which can impact cognitive function and lead to symptoms of brain fog.
• To identify which foods are a problem for you, try an elimination diet.
• It’s why you may often feel sleepy after a sugary treat or carb-heavy meal.
• When your brain is fried, it’s harder to retain and recall all that information you’ve spent hours studying.
• Crystal Raypole has previously worked as a writer and editor for GoodTherapy.

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Reach out to a co-worker, friend, family member, or partner to see who can help you out. Keep in mind that they don’t necessarily have to help you with whatever it is you’re trying to get done. Having someone pick up groceries, make a phone call, or just listen to you vent can bring about some relief.

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Caffeine can help you feel more alert temporarily, but it’s not a good permanent solution. Aiming for at least 7 hours of sleep every night is a good start, but you may need up to 9 hours for optimal function. You’re unmotivated, it’s difficult to remember important information, and your mind is taking every mush brain opportunity to drift. Cognitive fatigue is a decline in task performance that entails sustained mental activity. It may manifest in making frequent mistakes, difficulty staying focused, and taking longer to complete tasks. People can manage cognitive fatigue by taking short breaks during challenging tasks.

Causes of Brain Fog (and How to Fix Them)

“When people notice they are feeling tired, the first thing they should do is stop whatever tasks they are doing,” says Cooper. Another study revealed that individuals who spent time in a garden exhibited synchronized brain waves, which led to a feeling of calmness. Basically, it’s safe to say that going out in nature will probably make you feel better. Have you ever noticed how at peace you feel looking at trees or in front of the ocean? Well, it’s not a coincidence; nature is said to have positive effects on cognition.

Start small

Still, note that normal everyday stress levels won’t result in mental clouds all by themselves. If your cognitive function dips even though daily stress hasn’t budged an inch, it may be a symptom of another underlying brain fatigue cause at play, which you’ll need to address shortly. Brain fog, or mental fog, is often described as feeling mentally drained and unable to concentrate. Signs of brain fog include reduced cognitive functioning or difficulty with paying attention, keeping focus, multitasking, and memory recall. Let a healthcare provider know if you experience brain fog, especially if it’s disruptive to your daily activities and routine.