Recently I heard an update about the long-term effects of those who have survived Covid-19. Not only can the virus cause damage to every organ it goes through, but it can also have lasting effects on our brains via our brain stem.
In regards to our brains, the virus can cause severe brain fog that inhibits survivors from being able to focus or maintain a train of thought for long. As a TBI survivor, I know all about brain fog.
Although I am more than 20 years removed from my accident, I still deal with the lingering effects daily. Some days are better than others and some days I can’t remember what day it is. My brain fog is pretty humbling in its ability to shut me down.
- My short-term memory is shot.
- The ability to focus is limited.
- Motivation to get started is impaired.
- Sometimes I can’t even put my thoughts into audible words.
The latter effect is rare, but debilitating, especially as a writer. We writers are wordsmiths; our job is to put words together to communicate a clear message.
The ability to think and communicate clearly is a necessity for writers. You don’t have to have a brain injury like me to suffer the consequences of brain fog or writer’s block; but, you do need to know what it is and how to handle it.
Brain Fog!
First off, we need to understand that brain fog isn’t a medical issue in itself, but may be an underlying symptom of one. Common symptoms are: memory problems, lack of mental clarity, poor concentration, inability to focus.1
Most of the time we writers describe it as writer’s block, but the issue is deeper than not being able to write or a lack of creativity; something is happening beneath the surface that needs to be addressed.
Medical experts have identified potential causes of brain fog that strikes both writers and the disabled alike.
- Stress – Chronic stress can increase blood pressure, weaken the immune system, and trigger depression. It can also cause mental fatigue. When your brain is exhausted, it becomes harder to think, reason, and focus.
- Lack of sleep – Poor sleep quality can also interfere with how well your brain functions. Sleeping too little can lead to poor concentration and cloudy thoughts. Aim for 8 to 9 hours of sleep per night.
- Hormonal changes – Hormonal changes can also trigger brain fog. Levels of the hormones progesterone and estrogen increase during pregnancy. This change can affect memory and cause short-term cognitive impairment. Similarly, a drop in estrogen levels during menopause can cause forgetfulness, poor concentration, and cloudy thinking.
- Diet – Diet can also play a role in brain fog. Vitamin B-12 supports healthy brain function, and a vitamin B-12 deficiency can bring about brain fog. If you have food allergies or sensitivities, brain fog may develop after eating certain foods. Possible culprits include: MSG, aspartame, peanuts, dairy. Removing trigger foods from your diet may improve symptoms.
- Medications – If you notice brain fog while taking medication, talk with your doctor. Brain fog may be a known side effect of the drug. Lowering your dosage or switching to another drug may improve your symptoms. Brain fog can also occur after cancer treatments. This is referred to as chemo brain.
- Medical conditions – Medical conditions associated with inflammation, fatigue, or changes in blood glucose level can also cause mental fatigue. For example, brain fog is a symptom of chronic fatigue syndrome, which involves persistent fatigue for longer than six months. People who have fibromyalgia may experience similar fogginess on a daily basis. Other conditions that may cause brain fog include: anemia, depression, diabetes, Sjögren syndrome, migraines, Alzheimer’s disease, hypothyroidism, autoimmune diseases such as lupus, arthritis, and multiple sclerosis, dehydration.1
The important thing to remember is: Don’t panic. Even severe cases of brain fog and writer’s block will pass once you take the necessary actions to correct them.
Stay Calm!
The neurological effects of stress/anxiety can affect our bodies physically because they are connected. The trick to getting through physical stress is to stay calm and preserve mental health.
Below are my main steps to dealing with brain fog and stress.
- Get plenty of rest.
- Proper nutrition.
- Take breaks.
- Limit caffeine intake.
A lot of my writer friends would argue with my last tip. I have colleagues who live off of caffeine. The problem is that caffeine can actually make stress worse. Caffeine stimulates our nervous system and damages our neuroreceptors over time, which is why it takes more to work as we get older. The damage is done by overstimulation.
Medically speaking, the brain’s primary source of energy is glycogen, which comes from carbohydrates and even sugar, not caffeine. Besides, most of us know caffeine increases heart rate along with anxiety levels and that is no way to break through the fog!
Martin Johnson survived a severe car accident with a (T.B.I.) Traumatic brain injury which left him legally blind and partially paralyzed on the left side. He is an award-winning Christian screenwriter who has recently finished his first Christian nonfiction book. Martin has spent the last nine years volunteering as an ambassador and promoter for Promise Keepers ministries. While speaking to local men’s ministries he shares his testimony. He explains The Jesus Paradigm and how following Jesus changes what matters most in our lives. Martin lives in a Georgia and connects with readers at Spiritual Perspectives of Da Single Guy and on Twitter at mtjohnson51.
1 https://www.healthline.com/health/brain-fog
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