Or perhaps you forget simple things, blank out on people's names, or spend an hour on a task that would usually take ten minutes?
Don’t panic, you’re not alone. The dreaded brain fog strikes everyone from time to time.
It can be frustrating and downright stressful trying to battle through mental fuzziness when you need to be productive and efficient.
If you often find your brain lagging behind at work, read on to learn what might be causing it, and what you can do to clear out the cobwebs and get your mojo back.
What Causes Brain Fog?
That mental sluggishness that creeps in and robs you of your focus and efficiency is likely to be a case of good old mental fatigue. Just like the rest of your body, your brain can get overworked and needs time and space to recharge. Here are some of the likely culprits that may be slowing you down:
The most obvious reason for a tired, slow brain is sleep deprivation. As much as you may will it to, your mind and body can't keep running on empty. They need to be recharged via the magic of sleep. Health professionals recommend seven to nine hours per night for optimal cognitive functioning.
Poor diet
Using the right fuel is essential to keep your brain functioning correctly. A diet high in sugar and carbs and low in the right vitamins and nutrients will catch up with you. To support your brain and keep you going throughout the day, you need to munch on things that nourish your body.
Not enough exercise
Exercise is essential not just to keep the body in good condition, but the brain too. Even a walk around the block increases blood flow to the brain, giving you the clarity and focus you need.
Stress
Chronic stress can have serious effects on your body, including some major cognitive issues.
Dehydration
Your brain needs water to work! Even if you are only a tiny bit dehydrated, you may struggle to focus and problem-solve.
How to deal with Brain Fog at Work
Long term solutions for addressing brain fog include getting enough sleep, eating a nutritious diet, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
But if you find yourself staring blankly at your computer screen and need a quick pick-me-up, try some of the following:
- Down a glass or two of water to re-hydrate
- Snack on something healthy that will give you long-lasting energy
- Get a change of scene – take that conference call outside or work from a café
- Have an exercise break, just stand up if anything else!
- Take a meditation break to clear your mind
- Do something mindless and enjoyable for 15 minutes (have a 15-min chair massage?)
- Work in bursts: focus on one task for 25 minutes and take a total break for five.
Get a Workplace Massage
Taking time out for a workplace massage is one of the most potent and effective ways of dealing with brain fog. It ticks all the boxes - taking a break, removing yourself from a stressful situation, getting the blood flowing, practicing self-care, and clearing your mind. And the good thing is that the session is only 15-min long.
So, when you call in the team at Bodyworkz, we come to your workplace, you don’t have to do anything other than provide us with a space to set up.
We bring everything we need with us.
Get in touch with us today to chat about how we can eliminate brain fog at your workplace!
The most important thing to remember is, rather than trying to push through and putting more pressure on your overworked, tired brain, take some time out and hit the reset button.
You will be surprised at how much more productive and motivated you feel when you get back to the job.