You, Your Health, and Your Mental Clarity
In this article, we will discuss how mental clarity is a function of the things we do and how it is connected to your healthy lifestyle.
Writer: Daramfon Etim
Reviewer & Editor: Chinyere Nwosu
What Is Mental Clarity?
Mental clarity is a state of mind in which you are focused with clear perception. In this state, your mind is
engaged and fully active. Mental clarity is a prerequisite to a high level of productivity.
With mental clarity, you can organize and understand your thoughts, and your perception is clear. It equally helps you find focus and direction. Therefore, sharp memory recall, quick
thinking, and unclouded judgment are all part of mental clarity.
Our cognitive performance is affected by our daily activities and non-activities. It is easy to wish for an overall optimal mental health but not so easy to achieve it as sometimes, stress and
worries affect our brain function and prevent us from functioning at our best.
Despite our best efforts, there are days when we suffer lapses in our cognitive process, and that is alright. What is not okay, however, is the repetitive feeling of mental exhaustion daily.
Brain fog or mental fog is the feeling of mental fuzziness. It is characterized by confusion, forgetfulness, and lack of focus. Although more common in older persons, there are recorded cases amongst youngsters. It can be frustrating, but relief is possible.
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Causes of Brain Fog
The feeling of mental fuzziness or brain fog may be caused by but is not limited to electromagnetic radiation. Other sources include –
Stress
Stress is a feeling of emotional or physical tension. It could arise due to any event that makes you feel angry, frustrated, overly excited, or nervous. It is the way your body reacts to a challenge or
demand. Your body responds to stress by releasing hormones such as adrenaline which makes your brain more alert and causes your muscles to tense.
When you experience chronic stress over time, it puts you at risk for health problems. Stress is one of the causative factors of brain fog.
Lack of sleep
Sleep deprivation can affect your entire body. During sleep, your body heals itself and restores chemical balance. Your brain
makes new thoughts and forges connections. Sleep deprivation is also a cause of brain fog. A lack of sleep or inadequate sleep interferes with the ability of the brain to boost memory retention.
No Exercise
Exercise strengthens all brain tissues, including grey matter. This makes the brain more resistant to stress and aging. Inadequate exercise makes the brain prone to brain fog as information
processing and critical thinking are inhibited.
Diet
We are what we eat, or so it is said. Our diet plays important role in the overall development of our body and brain. Consumption of meals that contain macro and micronutrients is paramount for a healthy turnout.
Generous consumption of foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, iron, magnesium, copper, zinc, caffeine, flavonoids, and antioxidants is a great way to keep the brain in peak working condition.
Toxins, pollution, and harmful chemical substances can also interfere with mental clarity.
Symptoms and Effects of Brain Fog
There are after-effects of brain fog. These include but are not limited to:
● Insomnia(inadequate sleep)
● Headaches
● Low energy output
● Impaired cognitive function
● Poor concentration
● Lack of creative ideas
● Mood swings/irritability
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Factors That Can Affect Your Mental Health
What is The Way Out?
Reduce stress
Stay away from things that tend to increase your stress level. Solve problems one after the other, and try not to overthink issues you cannot solve.
Eat healthily
Watching our meals’ nutritional value is also a great way of reducing our chances of experiencing brain fog. Incorporating meals rich in the six major classes of foods is a good start to healthy eating. How meals are prepared, preserved, and served are all minute but important details to watch out for. Remember, TAKE CARE OF YOUR BODY, AND YOUR BODY WILL TAKE CARE OF YOU.
Maintain a good sleep routine
7-9 hours of night sleep is the medically advised healthy sleep regimen. The importance of sleep cannot be overemphasized. You feel refreshed and renewed both in mind and body
after a good night’s sleep. Siestas are also a way of relaxing our bodies and minds through sleep.
Exercise Regularly
Physical fitness is a known way of keeping the brain active, and regular exercising is a means of achieving that. It must not be too complex, as a simple morning or evening jog of about 20-30 minutes daily can go a long way. Push-ups, cycling, hiking, and stretches are equally good exercise regimens to incorporate into our daily schedule.
Avoid excessive alcohol and smoking
This impairs the cognitive process and slows memory recollection. Alcohol interferes with the brain’s communication pathways and can affect the way the brain looks and works. It equally results in slurred speech, blurred vision, and difficulty in walking.
Benefits of a Healthy Mental State
The benefits of a healthy state include but are not limited to:
● Creativity
● Ability to cope with difficulties
● Improved moods
● Reduction in anxiety
● Reduced risk of depression
● Stronger Resilience
● Increased BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor), which improves transmission.
Mental clarity happens to be the core of health and productivity. You can definitely achieve a healthy mental state. All it requires is a conscious dedication of our time and effort as well as being cautious.
An organized mind can approach tasks with more efficiency and in order of priority.