brain fog: exercising our brain in the new year!

B R A I N F O G :

E X E R C I S I N G O U R

B R A I N I N T H E

N E W Y E A R !

L A U R I E A . G E L L , M A , L P C , N C C

E D U C A T I O N S P E C I A L I S T

L G E L L @ T T I I N C . O R G

S O M E M A T E R I A L S I N T H I S S E C T I O N T A K E N F R O M :

“ D O E S Y O U R B R A I N F E E L F O G G Y ? ”

R A B B I T T , M E G H A N . P R E V E N T I O N . C O M ,

M A G A Z I N E A R T I C L E . D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 0 .

W H AT I S B R A I N F O G ?

Not as Sharp

as You Used

to Be

Difficulty

Focusing

Feeling

Absentminded

More

Forgetful than

Usual

Sluggish

Brain

Chugging

Along

Q U O T E S F R O M T H E

A R T I C L E

• “She chalked it up to Zoom meeting fatigue, not being able

to blow off steam at the gym, and the sudden lack of

socializing with friends.”

• “When my brain fog is bad, I feel totally overwhelmed way

sooner than I otherwise would.”

• “Everything just gets harder – driving is more stressful,

multitasking at work is nearly impossible, and I’m not as with

it in conversation. It just feels like my brain is in molasses,

which is no fun.”

H I P P O C A M P U S

• What Does the Hippocampus Do:

• Takes in new information

• Consolidates

• Moves important things over to long-term

memory

• Receives the Notice:

• “Let’s shut this stress hormone release down –

there’s no acute threat anymore.”

W H A T I F T H E

B R A I N S T AY S

I N P A N I C

M O D E ?

Hippocampus

• Gets tired

• Cells start to die

• Important area of the

brain begins to shrink

LEADING TO BRAIN

FOG!

C A U S E S O F

B R A I N F O G

•Stress

•Not Enough Sleep

•Menopause

•Medication Side Effects

•Medical Conditions

U S E I T O R L O S E I T

New Neurons Can be Generated at ANY AGE

Research: People who Participated in Mentally Stimulating Activities 4 Times a Week had a 65% -

75% Better Probability of Remaining Sharp Compared to Those Who DID NOT Participate in These Activities

W H A T Y O U

C A N D O !

Think Think Positive

Feel Feel the Music

Excite Excite Your Brain

Overthink Overthink 1 Thing Every Day

Stop Stop Multi-Tasking

Move Move Your Body

Set Set Your Sleep Routine

Take Take Control of Your Stress Reaction

B R A I N B O O S T I N G F O O D S

• Extra Virgin Olive Oil

• Salmon, Mackerel & Tuna

• Avocados

• Chia, Flax, & Hemp Seeds

• Garbanzo Beans

• Dark, Leafy Greens

• Walnuts & Almonds

• Blueberries

• Tomatoes

• Spinach

• Broccoli & Cauliflower

• Curry & Sage

• Pumpkin

• Green Tea

• Pomegranate Juice & Citrus Juices

• Celery, Peppers, & Carrots

• Eggs

• Apples

• Whole Grains

S O … L E T ’ S

E X E R C I S E

O U R

B R A I N ! ! !

T E S T YO U R S T R E S S

L E V E LHere’s a quick test to determine your stress level. Read the

following description completely before looking at the picture.

The picture was used in a case study on stress levels at St. Mary’s

Hospital. Look at both dolphins jumping out of the water. The

dolphins are essentially identical. A closely monitored, scientific

study revealed that, in spite of the fact that the dolphins are so

similar, a person under stress would find many differences

between the two dolphins. The more differences a person finds

between the dolphins, the more stress that person is

experiencing.

Look at the image and, if you find more than one or two

differences, you may want to enjoy some self-care…

E X E C U T I V E F U N C T I O N I N G G A M E

Which way is the bus going?

➢Only Possible Answers

➢Left OR Right

T H E S T R O O P

T E S T : M E N T A L

V I T A L I T Y &

F L E X I B I L I T Y

QUICK

Say Aloud What Color You

See In Every Word, NOT the

Word You Read

Start at the Top

Going Left to Right

M E N T A L R O T A T I O N

S K I L L S

F O R E A C H N U M B E R ,

D E C I D E W H E T H E R I T I S

N O R M A L O R R E V E R S E D

N U M B E R

A R E T H E H O R I Z O N T A L L I N E S

S T R A I G H T O R C R O O K E D ?

C A N Y O U

I D E N T I F Y

A P P L E ’ S

L O G O ?

F I N D T H E

H O M O G R A P H S

Lock - Piano

Ship - Card

Tree - Car

School - Eye

Pillow - CourtA word that shares the

same written form as

another word but has

different meanings

B R A I N T E A S E R S : A T T E N T I O N & W O R K I N G M E M O RY

• Then in Alphabetical Order

Say the Days of the Week Backwards

Say the Months of the Year in Alphabetical Order

• Work Up to 5 Objects – Use Different Items Each Time

Name 2 Objects for Every Letter in Your First Name

R E S O U R C E S

Fernandez, Alvaro. Test Your Brain with these Brain Teasers, Games

and Illusions. 2008. Top 50 Brain Teasers and Games | SharpBrains

Happy Neuron. 2020. Brain Fitness | Brain

Games | Improve Your Mind | HAPPYneuron (happy-neuron.com)