Clear Thinking Doesn’t Have To Be a Distant Memory
Feeling Stressed about your Foggy Brain? Well, losing your memory can be scary, depressing, and stressful. But the good news is that there are many natural ways to rekindle our memory.
Very often brain fog is related to the hormonal changes going on in our body as well as changes in our brain after menopause. Whilst studies find that women in the early stages of menopause may experience more noticeable memory and cognition issues, other studies show that women’s memory improves over time, which is the opposite of what the researchers had initially hypothesized.
What’s Causing This Foggy Thinking?
Scientists believe it has something to do with hormone changes affecting our brain. Oestrogen, progesterone, follicle stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone are all responsible for different body processes, including cognition. Perimenopause lasts up to 8 years leading up to menopause, during which time your hormone levels may fluctuate wildly and cause a range of symptoms as the body and mind adjust.
Research also shows that as we age, many nutrients may be in short supply. Deficiencies of B vitamins (including B12) and vitamin D are associated with cognitive impairment as well as depression.
Vitamin E and other antioxidants may be essential in maintaining blood flow to the brain and the central nervous system. One study showed that patients with early signs of dementia improved after being given high doses of vitamin E.
Eat a Well-Balanced Diet Based on Wholesome Foods
The Mediterranean diet, for example, may help with brain health because it’s rich in omega-3 fatty acids and other unsaturated fats.
Good food choices include:
Fresh fruits and vegetables
Whole grains
Fish
Beans and nuts
Olive oil
Include phytoestrogen-rich food in your diet. These foods fool the brain into thinking that the body has naturally occurring oestrogen in the body, which has a positive effect. These foods include:
Soya
Tofu
Edamame Beans
Lentils
Chickpeas
Get Your Body Moving
Getting regular physical activity is recommended for all people, including women going through menopause. Researchers believe that exercise may even help with symptoms like memory issues.
Try getting 30 minutes of cardiovascular exercise at least five days a week for a total of 150 minutes. Activities can include fast walking, running or perhaps dancing around the kitchen to your favourite music. Just make sure you enjoy what you do.
Exercise Your Mind
Your brain needs regular workouts as you age. Try doing crossword puzzles or starting a new hobby, like playing the piano or taking up knitting.
Getting out socially may help as well. Even keeping a list of the activities you need to do in the day may help you organize your mind when you’re feeling foggy.
Don’t you love the fact that a few tweaks to our diet and lifestyle can fool our brain into thinking we are so much younger? Find out how to reclaim your wellbeing at my new Midlife Refuel Community. I look forward to welcoming you there.
Maryon Stewart is the author of Manage Your Menopause Naturally and 27 other books. A world-renowned healthcare expert, she has helped tens of thousands of women around the world overcome menopause symptoms without using drugs or hormones. She is the host of the new PBS TV series Maryon Stewart’s Menopause Makeover. Watch the show and join her community at https://naturalmenopause.tv. Details of her program can be found at https://femmar.com
