So, we already know what brain fog is, and if you haven’t read that article, I recommend checking it out first here. Brain fog and thinking are interconnected. You think about why you came upstairs, what those specific instructions from your boss were, where you left those dang keys. This thinking leads to exhaustion, shaping the brain’s ability to manage its energy.
An article by Brent Bauer titled, “The Physical Toll of Brainpower: How Thinking Wears You Out,” talks about the mind-body connection. Prolonged periods of performing demanding mental tasks causes many things, among those a decrease in functional activity in the brain. This means that the different areas of the brain don’t communicate as well with one another when transitioning to a more difficult mental task.
For example, you come home from a long day at work, crunching numbers, handling phone calls or patients, then your kid asks you for help with his 5th grade math. Suddenly solving one problem is like trying to break into Fort Knox.
This mental fatigue can also challenge your ability to make decisions. Bauer gives an example of finishing work, and looking at the gym bag you brought to the office with the goal of hitting the elliptical after you're off. Yet, the thought of working out, though you’ve been sitting all day, sounds exhausting, so you head home.
No matter what your mind or mother-in-law tells you, this isn’t laziness. This is a symptom of mental fatigue. With our brain overworked it diverts energy from functions such as decision making, and we see the cost of exercise rather than its benefits.
So, how do we manage this stress before it becomes chronic, increasing our risk of digestive problems, headaches, depression and heart disease? Some solutions mentioned in the article are avoiding mentally draining tasks before a high-endurance physical activity. Take breaks to reduce mental strain such as a quick walk, or prayer. Don’t make important decisions when you’re mentally exhausted, like moving or buying a car— you’ll be grateful later.
We all deal with mental exhaustion, it may as well be a prerequisite to humanity. Don’t make life harder on yourself, though. Choose to focus on what is uplifting, and set aside what adds unnecessary anxiety or depression in your life. Help your brain function better by choosing what to focus on. This can lead to immense improvements in your life, one of those being finding lost items quicker.
