Brain Fog In Your 40s Is Legit

Ever walk into the kitchen and then wonder why the hell you're there? Or forget the title of a novel you just read? Welcome to "brain fog," defined as the inability to think clearly. Right now, there's talk of this disorder being a byproduct of Covid because of its correlation to depression and grief. That's valid. But memory and concentration problems also stem from declining hormones. (As you know, our estrogen levels start to get erratic in our 40s; low B12 and an underactive thyroid may also be the cause.) A few years ago--as I skidded into perimenopause--I found myself unable to focus on a major project to the point that I cried and avoided emails. What really helped? A few fixes I gleaned from Harvard medical studies: 

• Working out: even walking briskly for 20 minutes a day helps.

• Sleeping more: seven hours is the goal here.

• Eating better: the Mediterranean diet has been proven to boost cognitive function.

Ultimately, I experimented with estrogen patches and birth control pills to level out my waning hormones. (I also suffered from epic mood swings and stupid night sweats.) Talk to your doctor about those options, obvi. Just know that you're not alone on this bumpy ride. I'll always help you find your keys.

---