Unbelievable I know if you've experienced brain fog at menopause / perimenopause.
What this means is that even with a dip in cognitive function women's performance is brought in line with men's, as measured by memory, fluency and attention.
This fascinating fact is just one of so many I picked up from reading Dr Lisa Mosconi's brilliant book 'The Menopause Brain'.
Brain fog in my experience is one of the most debilitating symptoms and led to me being fired from my corporate marketing career 8 years ago.
The good news is that while brain fog is real, it is usually temporary and is caused by a change in brain energy during the menopause transition.
Many women worry that feeling foggy is the first sign of dementia, however forgetting where you've put your keys which is typical with brain fog, is entirely different to forgetting what keys are used for!
If you're feeling foggy and it's affecting your day to day ability to work and live your life as you want to, there's lots you can do with good nutrition and lifestyle practices to help you feel more sharp and focused.
Here are my top five tips:
1️⃣ Eat oily fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids at least 3 times per week. These help build nerve and brain cells which help improve your memory and cognitive function.
2️⃣ Keep hydrated by drinking at least 2 litres of water a day. Your brain cells need water to help them communicate with each other and to clear out toxins & waste that can stop them functioning properly.
3️⃣ Exercise for at least 150 minutes a week to help get oxygen to the brain and enable the growth of new brain cells as well as the repair of blood vessels and other cells in your brain.
4️⃣ Focus on getting good quality sleep every night for at least 7-8 hours. Lack of sleep and poor quality sleep leads to lower levels of concentration and alertness.
5️⃣ Find a way to unwind and manage your stress levels. Stress can kill brain cells and shrink your brain.
IF you'd like to discuss what you can do and create your own personal action plan, please get in touch!