Remember, your mind and body are connected in a lot of ways, so make sure you stay on top of your physical health. Alternately, consider talking to a co-worker, teacher, mentor or supervisor, or guidance counselor. Some workplaces also have designated professionals on staff to provide employee support and help people dealing with stress both in and out of the office.
Lack of sleep
They can also have slower reaction times and lapses of attention. Brain fog, also called mental fog, can happen after an illness, as a side effect of a medication (like chemotherapy) or as a symptom of an underlying condition. A healthcare provider can help you determine what’s causing brain fog to help you feel more like yourself.
If Your Brain Feels Foggy And You’re Tired All The Time, You’re Not Alone
Trying a new approach to studying could make a difference in your level of cognitive energy and your grades. When it comes time to study, you may feel more prepared and less overwhelmed by what’s ahead. Instead of thinking about what you might have done, try thinking about what you were able to do with what you had. It’s not always possible to complete a task exactly as you envisioned it. There are times when the most you can manage is getting the work done as quickly as possible. Sometimes, even when you devote all of your mental resources to a project, it still falls short of what you’d consider your best, or even good work.
Prioritize sleep
If we could just get to the point where we could be talking about the stuff more openly, we’d feel a lot less alone. “We have this inflammatory response when we’re feeling severe states of stress that can last. It’s subtle, it’s low grade and it can absolutely cause fatigue and a worse mood.” “We know from other research that people will talk about fatigue as something that they experience when they’re feeling overstressed,” says Bufka. Feelings of exhaustion, irritability and mental fogginess are our bodies’ normal response to an abnormal year of pandemic life. If you’re diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, a doctor may recommend a corticosteroid or other medication to reduce inflammation or suppress the immune system. Chronic stress can increase blood pressure, weaken the immune system, and trigger depression, according to a 2017 review of research.
PTSD: How is treatment changing?
So, don’t make a habit of running yourself into the ground and if you notice you are struggling, make a change. Sleep is an immensely precious commodity that can do wonders for your brain and body, so don’t sacrifice it for phone scrolling, Netflix mush brain or anything else which isn’t incredibly important to you. If possible, it is best to have a regular sleep routine and avoid screen time and stimulating substances before hitting the hay. If you perform shift work, you may need to take further measures to make sure you get enough of the good stuff.
