Increase CLARITY, CREATIVITY & MEMORY with 4 Simple Approaches

Believe it or not, your brain needs de-cluttering as much as your house may need it! 

Our brains are incredibly remarkable, 3-pound organs that basically handle all our bodies' functional needs while processing roughly 60K thoughts every day.    Mental fatigue and lack of concentration or clarity are real conditions even for the sharpest among us!

Given that you do not have underlying medical conditions that are contributing to cognitive dysfunction or severe brain fog (seek medical attention if any doubt), there are a few practical items you can do to find relief.

1  |  ESTABLISH A REGULAR SLEEP SCHEDULE.   
​Studies show that most adults need at least 8 hours of sleep each night!  You might also take naps for a quick brain recharge!

​According to Healthline.com, what happens to your brain when you sleep?  

• toxic byproducts that have built up during the day are removed
• nerve cells are reorganized
• cells are repaired
• activity is increased in areas that regulate emotions
• hormones are managed and controlled

It's an outstanding thought that my brain kicks in to auto-clean mode, so to speak, while I sleep, and I want to make sure I give it optimal opportunity to do so!

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2  |  DEAL WITH ALL THE STRESS IN YOUR LIFE.   ​

• Working at your computer a lot?  Give your brain a break!   Close your eyes and breathe deeply every hour on the hour for about 2-3 minutes, relaxing your entire body and visualizing all the "stress" rolling off your mind and heart.  Try to be still.  Enjoy the quiet peace that a couple of minutes can offer you. 
• Pray.  Express all your concerns and worries to God.  He made you of clay!  He knows that you are not equipped to handle life's challenges and difficulties alone.  Picture what it means to be "yoked with Christ."  
• Do 5-minute brain dumps where you free flow write every single thought and concern you are having at the moment.  Add to your list as other issues crop up during the day.  Release all these to God in prayer before bed.  Does this process still seem overwhelming?  Use this 1-page Turbo-Charged Cheat Sheet to help you!
• Stay connected to your family and friends.  Ask for help when you need it! Find and lend social support for all life's issues.  In our private, ​faith-based Facebook group called Choose 2 Think, we encourage each other, start life help challenges, like de-cluttering your house or goal setting.  It's also a great place to discuss the Choose 2 Think podcast episodes as well.  
• Check your mindsets.  Learn to use gratitude, expectations, affirmations (you might enjoy this free Affirmations Template to get started) to help you pivot when you're feeling overwhelmed or anxious. 
• Keep a journal daily.  Check out this blog post  "Encountering God when You Journal. "    Or how about this printable Ultimate Gratitude Guide (includes a journaling template).

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3  |  KEEP TABS ON YOUR OVERALL PHYSICAL & EMOTIONAL HEALTH. 
When you're feeling exceptionally foggy, forgetful, or lacking focus, analyze any events in your life that may have caused changes in your health.

• Think hormones.  Are you menstruating, going through menopause?  You may need additional self-care during these times.
• How's your diet?  Are you consuming products that stimulate and maintain brain health?  Drinking plenty of water? Eating foods rich in the super oils, B vitamins, minerals, protein?  Avoiding "fake" foods and junk?  Check out this free 7-Day Brain Smoothie Devotional that even contains 2 green smoothie recipes for optimal brain function!
• Exercise every single day in some fashion.  Walk, jog, jump on a trampoline, jump rope, stretch, do 5-minute cardio blasts, just move it, move it, move it and often!  While exercising, double dip by educating as well!  On your next walk around the block, you might enjoy this C2T podcast:  Practical Tips to Overcome Toxic Thinking!
• Are you grieving?  Depressed?  We all go through exceptionally hard times; however, if your emotions take daily nose dives and/or linger in dark places and you're finding it increasingly difficult to work your way back up,  you may need medical assistance or counseling.   What helped me the most during a dark season of my life was learning to "take thoughts captive."  This free PDF called The Brain Changer Guide (16 pages) describes the process I used to combat mild depression.

4  |  EXERCISE YOUR BRAIN!

• Learn a new language!  
• Challenge your brain with math and problem solving.
• Read intense, attention grabbing material.
• Do mind-boggling puzzles.
• Do something FUN, what you love!  
• Learn something NEW.  Begin a NEW hobby.  Try a NEW, unfamiliar skill.  
• Create or craft something...paint, do clay modeling, take photographs, write, make music, sculpt, bake, etc.
• Travel to stimulate your brain with new surroundings and cultures.
• Take a community education or adult learning class.  Take something HARD!  Rewire your attitude about historically difficult subjects for you.  
• "Electrify" your brain by stimulating all senses at once:  dance, sing, watch, listen, while holding a grand baby (or stretching band) with essential oils floating around to smell (I've heard that citrus aromas stimulate energy levels)! :)  

So there ya have it:  4 easy-to-employ approaches to decrease brain fog that you can start today for optimal brain health, efficient memory, and clarity of thought! 

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