Seven ways to beat brain fog

Rising stress levels can lead to poor concentration.  But there are a lot of tools and techniques you can use to stay focussed

HAVE you found yourself tired and struggling to focus on the task in hand recently? Welcome to the effects of 'brain fog', which experts say reaches a peak at this time of year (and this year in particular) — a culmination of rising anxiety as we attempt to adapt to seasonal changes in weather and gradually diminishing amounts of daylight.

The prospect of too much or too little to do in the months ahead can leave you feeling overwhelmed or underwhelmed with daily life, adding to what psychologists term your ‘allostatic load’ — the mental and physical effects of exposure to stressors. With our ability to stay calm and focused hampered by our daily routines, it is easy to find yourself more frazzled and forgetful, mentally flighty and less able to focus on even the most mundane tasks. Informally, it’s known as 'brain fatigue', and anyone who has even the slightest experience of it will know the impact it can have on concentration levels, clear thinking, and mental alertness.