As you age and enter peri-menopause your body starts to produce less of the hormones oestrogen and progesterone. This can lead to many symptoms but the one I want to discuss today is the dreaded brain fog!
Do you suffer from any or all of the following:-
Forgetting where you left your keys, phone, glasses etc etc?
Losing the thread of a conversation half way through?
Inability to recall the name or the contents of a film you watched last night?
Forgetting important appointments or getting the time wrong?
Difficulty retrieving words?
The list goes on and on………
Ok, well that’s a resounding YES from me to all of those, oh dear!!
I am now post-menopausal but these symptoms don’t just disappear.
Here are some natural remedies that you may find helpful and of course there is the HRT route which I am also in favour of but have not personally taken. I find that following the advice below keeps me sane above all else!
- Exercise (I would say that, obviously!) It really does help with brain health increasing blood flow and oxygen to the brain. You don’t have to do high impact, high intensity, unless you want to but walking, dancing, pilates, yoga are all fantastic forms of exercise. Mix it up a bit so that you are always challenging your body!
- Water. Essential for life! Essential for brain health, so aim to get at least 2 litres a day in your body as this will help flush out toxins and our body is made up of roughly 70% water so it makes perfect sense that we need to keep replenishing it!
- Diet. Your brain needs good, natural healthy food as much as your body does to work at its optimum! Eat a varied balanced diet with plenty of oily fish, lean protein, colourful vegetables, high quality fats reducing alcohol consumption and sugar intake!
- Stress. Constant stress as in daily small stressors like the dreaded train journey to work every morning, looking after elderly parents, grown up kids still living at home, not the big stressors like divorce or moving house affect the part of the brain responsible for memory and learning. So trying to relieve stress through relaxation techniques, meditation, taking ‘me’ time are really important!
- Supplements. You may find that certain supplements will help through this time especially if your diet is not as good as it could be. B vitamins are great for brain health and magnesium is good for calming and sleep. Please do your research as in my opinion you get what you pay for!
- Sleep. Essential for your brain to switch off and reset for the next day! None of us function well with little or bad quality sleep. Aim for 6 – 9 hours per night. Sleep in a bat cave, turn off all devices and create a calming bedtime routine going to bed at the same time every night.
I hope this helps!
L Xx