How to beat BRAIN FOG

Feeling tired, scatterbrained and anxious? Here’s how you can get your mind back in focus

Often find names suddenly elude you, lose your train of thought or you stride purposefully into a room, then can’t remember why? You may feel like you’re ‘losing it’, but that sensation of a mist descending could be down to brain fog. And it’s all normal.

We asked the experts what causes brain fog, how to differentiate it from more serious brain conditions, like dementia, and how to help clear your head – fast.

What is brain fog?

‘It’s an umbrella term describing a collection of symptoms, generally coined as having a fuzzy head,’ explains dietitian Lola Biggs*. ‘You become less efficient at thinking and processing, and find tasks that require focus and thought difficult.’

What are the red flags? ‘Noticing increased forgetfulness, wandering thoughts and lack of clarity on decisions can all point to brain fog,’ explains Lola. Symptoms also include feeling tired and distracted, as well as mood swings.

BRAIN FOG vs DEMENTIA

The key difference is that dementia affects more than just your memory – it changes your ability to function in daily life. If you answer yes to any of the following questions, talk to your GP.** Have you stopped…

Taking care of household finances?

Doing household tasks you’ve always done?

Doing social activities you used to do?

The reasons?