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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)
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