Make your brain health a priority

BRAIN HEALTH:

Our brain is one of the most amazing and most studied part of our human body. It controls our nervous system hence controlling our memory, movements, emotions, action and reaction. As we keep on ageing it becomes vital to understand Brain Health and its importance. Brain Health is an evolving concept that involves not only neural development, flexibility, functioning but also the recovery across the life course.

The way the food that we eat affects our body content and shape similarly our lifestyle impacts our brain health. What you eat, drink, how much you exercise, how well you sleep, the way you socialize, and how you manage stress are all critically important to your brain health.

2 factors play important role in brain health 

• Social – All the events, success, failures that we face in our life and how we respond to it 
• Biological (including genetics) 

These factors influence the way our brain develops, adapts and responds to stress and adversity across the life course. It’s when a person develops has developed an understanding of his or her own abilities with time and works on improving their Brain Health (cognitive, emotional, psychological and behavioral functioning) to cope with life situations then it is known as GOOD BRAIN HEALTH 

Our brain can sometimes make us feel “zone out” for example we open an app on our smartphone thinking of ordering our favorite food and few moments later we are on a social media platform checking out updates or watching videos on the go!! 

Well this condition is known as BRAIN FOG!

BRAIN FOG:

Brain fog is not a medical condition rather a symptom of other medical condition and can happen to anyone. The good thing, it can be worked on and improved 

Brain Fog is a type of cognitive dysfunction involving:

• Memory problems
• Lack of mental clarity
• Poor concentration
• Inability to focus

WHAT CAUSES BRAIN FOG?

There are numerous explanations for why brain fog occurs. Once you identify the underlying cause, you can begin fixing the problem. Here are six possible causes.

1. Stress: 

Our life has changed post pandemic. Office hours have changed, employees are online from morning till late night, resulting in sleep disturbance, changed food

habits, Increased use of technology, mental fatigue all leading to Stress. Chronic stress or work related stress can increase blood pressure, weaken the immune

system, and trigger depression. It can also cause mental fatigue. When your brain is exhausted, it becomes harder to think, reason, and focus.

2. Lack of sleep:

Invasion of technology in our bedroom has affected sleeping pattern. Sleeping too little can lead to poor concentration and cloudy thoughts. One practice that can come handy is to switch off your mobile or keep it at a distance at least one hour before you sleep 

3. Hormonal changes:

Hormonal changes in our life from Childhood to Adult, Pregnancy, Menstrual cycle, post menopause also triggers brain fog. Levels of the hormones progesterone and estrogen increase during pregnancy. This change can affect memory and cause short-term cognitive impairment.

4. Diet:

Studies tell us that diet play a role in brain fog. Foods rich in Vitamin B-12 supports healthy brain function, and while vitamin B-12 deficiency can bring about brain fog. 

Dry food, Brahmi are rich source of elements that improve Brain function and and protect brain cells while also improving memory. People should also drink enough

fluid to prevent dehydration but limit the intake of caffeine and alcohol, as these can affect sleep and energy levels

5. Medications:

Some of the over the counter and prescription drugs can affect memory and cognitive functions. While these drugs don’t affect everyone equally, people should examine any new medication or changes in dosage and frequency if they suddenly have problems with memory and thinking. Lowering your dosage or switching to another drug may improve your symptoms.

6. Medical conditions:

Working continuously and not taking regular breaks can impact brain health. Brain fog is a symptom of chronic fatigue syndrome, which involves persistent fatigue for longer than six months. 

CONCENTRATION LAPSE: 

Kids are subjected to lack of sleep, poor routine, diet high in sugar and fat, excessive screen time especially before going to bed affecting concentration. Work related issues, online meetings, irregular timings and other such modern factors are causing stress, depression or anxiety leading to concentration lapse. This can cause forgetfulness, confusion, difficulty concentrating and other problems.

WAYS TO MAINTAIN FOCUS ALL DAY LONG:

1. Start Practicing Yoga 

Yoga improves your flexibility and strength and also pushes your body and mind in doing what you thought is impossible. Meditation is an amazing tool to improve concentration. 40 minutes of Yoga at least 4 times in a week will help you a lot 

2. Avoid Distractions 

• While it is easy to say, here is how you can start with. Every day give yourself 30 minutes and do the following 
• Sit in a quiet place 
• Switch off your mobile or turn off the notifications 
• Write down your to-do list. Studies show that having a written plan of action can increase productivity.
• Then prioritize the work and go about it 
• Avoid mobile at least an hour before you sleep  
• Priorities your work it will help you to have focus and increase productivity

Identify your “overwhelm” triggers.

Brain gets stressed, it jumps into fight or flight mode. Identifying the triggers that cause you to feel overwhelmed. Practice Yoga and Meditation, it will help you to control your emotions and your reaction to such triggers would be more rationale

Changes to your body and brain are normal as you age. As your brain is similar to a muscle — you need to use it or you lose it. Brain fog and concentration lapse are not medical condition and can happen to anyone with age but you can overcome this with simple modification to your lifestyle like practicing Yoga, Controlling over exposure to technology , Meditation will improve brain health.