7 Ways Writers Can Clear Brain Fog
Everyone has a little brain fog on occasion. But, if you’re regularly suffering from a serious case of brain fog, there are steps you can take. Brain fog can be frustrating and greatly limit your ability to finish your writing projects.
There are steps you can take to reduce or even eliminate the problem. Try these tips and see just how clear-headed you can actually be. *First you must determine if it’s a medical issue or a creative-flow issue.* In other words, are you suffering from brain fog because of a medical issue such as Fibromyalgia, or are you stuck in your writing project because of writer’s block? Some of your habits could also be creating a foggy feeling when you sit down to write.
Practice these techniques to maximize your mental clarity and boost your productivity:
1. Exercise your mind, body, and imagination. Your brain and your body need a workout each day. Have you ever noticed that you feel better and think more clearly after a moderate bout of exercise? Plan some mental and physical exercise into your daily schedule. And, don’t forget to plan some creative exercise in your routine….reading! All of the best writers are also avid readers. By reading in your genre you will spark your creativity and plow through the mental fog.
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- Mental exercise can be as simple as working on a few brain puzzles or math problems. Or, read a good book!
- Physical exercise doesn’t have to be demanding, but it can be helpful to push yourself enough that you’re breathing hard.
2. Deal with stress. Stress is distracting. Stress also results in abnormal levels of hormones and neurotransmitters that can affect your thinking. Stress is hard on your body and your brain. Lower your stress levels if you want to do your best thinking. Plan quiet time into your daily routine. It’s the best thing you can do for your mental health.
3. Get a checkup. See your doctor if you’re having issues with brain fog and nothing else seems to be working. It might be that you have an underlying medical condition that’s contributing to your brain fog. You might also be taking medication that’s creating challenges for you.
4. Eat healthy food. Unhealthy food can leave you with brain fog. Also, there are foods that are often considered to be healthy that just might not sit well with your system. It’s important to notice how you feel after eating different foods and use that information to your benefit. Experiment and see what you discover.
- Remember you are what you eat…literally. Your body is reproducing your muscles and tissues based on the nutrients you feed it. So are you building the body you want or the body you hate?
- It’s easier to write when you can think clearly and have taken care of yourself.
Joanna Penn has a great book called The Healthy Writer. In it, she gives tips and tricks on how to keep yourself fit and strong even though most writers spend hours sitting at a desk. Here’s my affiliate link if you’d like to get your own copy.
Get Your Copy Here:
5. Sleep the right number of hours for you. If you’ve ever missed out on a few hours of sleep, you know how compromised your ability to think clearly can be. A lack of sleep is a major cause of brain fog. Interestingly, many people also suffer from brain fog if they sleep too long. An hour or more of sleep beyond what you require can greatly reduce your alertness. It’s not easy to reach 100% alertness if you sleep too long. Even if you think you do just fine with 5-6 hours of sleep, try sleeping longer and see if it helps.
6. Avoid stimulants and depressants. Too much caffeine can leave your brain racing. The same goes for other stimulants as well. Stimulants can also interfere with your sleep. Obviously, depressants can leave you feeling groggy and cloud your thinking. It’s best to avoid both if you want to minimize brain fog.
7. Drink some water. One of the early signs of dehydration is brain fog. If you just can’t seem to concentrate or think clearly, have a glass of water and see if that helps. A tall glass of water every few hours isn’t a bad idea.
If you find your brain fog is actually masking Writer’s Block check out my articles and videos on tips to overcome this common problem. Writer’s block doesn’t have to stop your progress if you have a plan in place to combat it. Happy Writing!
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