If you are finding it difficult to concentrate, find yourself forgetting things or not able to organize thoughts of late, then you may want to follow the Ayurvedic tips below for boosting your brain clarity and power.

TOP 5 CAUSES OF BRAIN FOG

1. Not enough sleep: We are a in general a society of sleep zombies. More than one third of the population is getting less than 7hrs of sleep which is the minimum requirement for adults to function properly.

2. Stress: Stress is a leading cause of inflammation in the body which leads first to an overstimulated nervous system and then, to an imbalance of cellular messengers which are associated with tissue inflammation. Long-term inflammation has been linked to increased risk of Alzheimer’s.

3. Foods we eat: When dealing with the brain – first look to the gut. Either too much variability or stagnation within the digestive system. These may be caused by a lack of digestive fire or too many dense, carb rich foods, refined sugars and grains. The variability and stagnation both lead to unprocessed nutrients which end up coating the nerves and arteries of the body impeding the proper flow within body.

4. Sitting too much: We were not meant to sit. We are designed to move, our brains (and bodies) simply don’t work well when we sit too much.

5. Overstimulation: These is no longer any “down-time” or space without noise or visual stimulation. While positive in how the world has become connected, the downside is we have fewer times to disconnect and process all these stimuli.

HOW TO BEAT BRAIN FOG

1. Avoid foods: that will slow the body & mind down like meats, dairy, grains, gluten, non-fat, refined sugar and canned foods with artificial additives and preservatives or foods with artificial colors and flavors; minimize gluten and non-fat foods.

2. Eat: Cook with fresh, organic ingredients. Eat lots of ‘brain foods’ that will keep you feeling alert, focused and positive such as fish, avocado, spices, Kitchari, leafy greens and berries.

3. Manage stress: The connection between mental stress and mind fog is pretty intuitive. The stress sitting in the form of toxins in your body can lower your productivity, reduce the clarity of thought and increase anxiety. When the mind is free of stress, it is centered, clear, have more attention span and higher problem-solving skill. Meditation, aromatherapy with oils like rosemary, basil oil, peppermint and lemon, and daily oil massages are few of the ways you can manage this stress.

4. Sleep better: Disturbed sleep lowers your cognitive abilities. A good 8-hour sleep, for example, recharges your brain, giving it complete rest. It also affects how nerve cells interact with each other. Good sleep helps get rid of toxins built up during the day in the form of impressions and memory. The more time you spend in REM the better is the quality of your sleep, and better is the quality of rest. Here are tips & practices that will help you sleep better.

5. Stop snacking: That’s right. Stop snacking between your meals. Also give yourself at least 12 hours of fasting time overnight (between dinner and breakfast). This allows your body—on all levels, including the cognitive & mental—enough time to clear out the gunk from its channels (digestive, neural, circulatory, energetic) during these between-meal fasting hours.

6. Herbs & teas: Boost your mental clarity by drinking tulsi tea and trying ashwagandha, as an herbal supplement.

This article is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and should never be relied upon for specific medical advice.