4 SOMATIC EXERCISES TO GET RID OF BRAIN FOG
Learn 4 somatic exercises you can use today to cut through brain fog and improve mental clarity in minutes.
Brain fog can be incredibly annoying and frustrating, impacting your focus, memory, and overall cognitive function. At NEUROFIT, we understand the importance of a clear mind for productivity and well-being. Here are a few somatic exercises used by our community to effectively combat brain fog, by resetting your nervous system and enhancing mental clarity.
What Is Brain Fog?
Brain fog describes an overall feeling of mental cloudiness. Symptoms include difficulty concentrating, forgetfulness, and slow thinking. Chronic stress, poor sleep, and lifestyle factors are often the culprits.
Often times when you have brain fog, you'll find that your nervous system is also in the Dorsal Vagal shutdown state on the NEUROFIT Ring:
The NEUROFIT Ring shows the six possible nervous system states, and the transitions between them.
When brain fog hits, it can severely affect both your professional and personal life. The good news is, by re-balancing your nervous system, you can alleviate these symptoms and regain mental clarity.
The Role of the Nervous System in Brain Fog
Our nervous system plays a crucial role in cognitive function. When the body is under constant stress, it disrupts communication between the brain and the rest of the body. This chronic stress can lead to nervous system dysregulation, which in turn causes brain fog.
Chronic stress builds up in the nervous system, leading to mental and physical health challenges.
So, by focusing on nervous system regulation, you can then reduce this built-up stress, and improve your mental clarity and focus.
1. Body Tapping
Body tapping is a simple yet effective technique to reset your nervous system and bring your focus back to the present moment. This exercise helps release tension and increases bodily awareness, which can alleviate brain fog.
Stand comfortably and use balled fists to gently tap your body, starting from your upper chest and moving outward to your arms and legs.
Focus on areas that feel tense or sore.
Tap firmly but not painfully, and take deep breaths as you tap.
Continue for 2-3 minutes, allowing yourself to relax more with each exhale.
This exercise improves mind-body awareness and helps you focus on the present moment.
2. Tree Shaking
Tree shaking involves rhythmic movements above the shoulders, to shake out stored tension from the nervous system. This exercise is great for waking the body up after longer periods of inactivity or sitting.
Sit or stand with your feet shoulder-width apart.
Bring your arms above your head and shake them around.
Breathe steadily in and out through your nose. Pick up the pace of your breathing to enhance the effect.
Continue this practice for a few minutes, noticing the tension dissolve from your body and your mental clarity improving.
This exercise can help shift the body out of stagnation into a more activated Play State.
3. Standing Breath of Fire
Standing Breath of Fire is a simple but activating exercise that uses fast-paced breathing to activate the nervous system into the high-energy Play state. This exercise is highly effective for adding energy to the nervous system and increasing blood flow, to cut through the cloudiness of brain fog.
Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, and arms either down at your side (or above your head for a challenge).
Place more emphasis on the out-breaths, making them audible.
Start with slow breaths, and increase the speed as feels comfortable to you.
Continue this practice for a few minutes, then relax and notice the difference in how your gut feels afterwards.
By activating the sympathetic nervous system, this exercise helps to kickstart your body into a higher-energy Play state.
Shifting into the Play State speeds up your heart rate and blood flow, sending more blood and oxygen to the brain.
4. Arm and Leg Squeezes
Arm and leg squeezes can help bring awareness back to your body and release tension. This exercise increases circulation and helps you connect with your body.
Sit or stand comfortably and start with one arm.
Use your opposite hand to gently squeeze your arm, starting at the shoulder and working your way down to the fingers.
Repeat on the other arm, then move to your legs, starting at the thigh and working down to the toes.
Take deep breaths as you squeeze, focusing on the sensation and pressure.
This exercise is grounding in nature and strengthens your mind-body connection
Personal Insights and NEUROFIT's Approach
At NEUROFIT, we've seen firsthand how effective somatic exercises can be for managing brain fog and improving cognitive function. Our journey began with personal struggles with chronic stress and burnout, leading us to develop a science-backed approach to nervous system regulation.
The NEUROFIT app offers personalized somatic exercises designed to help you balance your nervous system and relieve stress quickly. Our data shows that 95% of users report relief from real-time stress within just five minutes of using our BALANCE training exercises.
The NEUROFIT App's smart exercise library matches you with somatic exercises that relieve stress within three minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is brain fog, and what causes it?
Brain fog is a term used to describe feelings of confusion, forgetfulness, and lack of focus. It can be caused by chronic stress, poor sleep, diet, inactive lifestyle, and other lifestyle factors.
How can nervous system regulation help with brain fog?
Nervous system regulation techniques reduce stress, improve sleep, enhance focus, and improve bloow flow, which all help alleviate the symptoms of brain fog.
What are some practical ways to regulate the nervous system?
Practical ways to regulate the nervous system include deep breathing exercises, somatic exercises, regular physical activity, mindfulness meditation, and maintaining a consistent sleep routine.
How can the NEUROFIT app help with brain fog?
The average active NEUROFIT member reports 54% less stress after just one week, significantly reducing brain fog and enhancing mental clarity. The app's personalized exercises and AI Coach make it a powerful tool for reducing stress and improving focus within minutes.
The NEUROFIT App's AI Coach helps you resolve persistent stress with quick, secure and private text-based conversations.
By incorporating these four simple somatic exercises into your daily routine, you can effectively combat brain fog and improve your cognitive function. Taking the time to care for your nervous system lays the groundwork for a balanced and healthy life.
