Monday, December 28, 2009

There's a Genie in my Head, Gut and Butt.




As I begin to write I search for words floating in a thick soup of brain fog.




Pausing......



Searching..........



Hey, give me a moment.... rubbing my temples as if the Clarity Genie will magically appear.



You can only go so fast when you're traveling along in the fog. Ok, I'm approaching a stretch of clarity. Perhaps my eyes are playing tricks on me, but I swear I'm witnessing the fog forming into an actual genie-like figure. Where was I? Oh yah, brain fog. "It's about time you seriously examined this issue with your soupy brain," exclaims the Clarity Genie. She's decked out in some trendy exercise outfit. Whatever! She's one of "those" types. You know the type, all healthy and fit. Secretly I want to be one of those types, but publicly I am almighty on exercising my creativity. Well as long as she's here and given the fact that I am in a bit of a minor crisis, maybe she can be of service to me. "Oh great Clarity Genie, are you here to grant me three wishes?" "No, not really. Its more like I have three wishes for you, which involves your head, your gut and your butt. You have some committing to do, sister. " I'm thinking to myself, I did start this whole thing and she did come out of my ear, so she must be a smart, caring friend.

"First you must understand what is going on (or the lack there of) inside "our" brain, so onward to GOOGLE. Wow! There's no lack of information on "brain fog". We discovered a virtual smorgasbord of causes.

I'm sharing this information because by the looks of it, this condition is at epidemic proportion. Don't feel like you have the condition? Read on, so you don't fall victim in the future. I'll start with a short list of causes and weigh in on my particular circumstances. I will share my own personal de-fogging commitment plan. I find making these types of plans public adds weight to the accountability scale. Lastly I will provide links to the information I found helpful in my own analysis.

#1 - Stress - Over stimulation is not always good. If somebody is suffering from Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome their gland, that controls you body's ability to cope with stress, is not functioning. My stress is not overwhelming, but I will commit more time to quiet meditation.

#2 - Fatigue and sleep deprivation - SOCK ME IN THE HEAD, GUT AND BUTT. This one hits home with me. I will commit to being in bed no later than 11:30 each night.

#3 - Poor nutrition - I certainly could do better in this category. I will commit to eating less white stuff and more green stuff. I will start taking a supplement.

#4 - Candidiasis - This is a systematic overgrowth of yeast in your body. After some further research into this condition I feel strongly that I have this. If you have the following symptoms you may want to take this survey: depression, anxiety, sudden mood swings, lack of concentration, headaches, drowsiness, and/or fatigue. Warning: The survey does lure you into purchasing their products, but it did appear to be comprehensive. I personally went to my local health food store for advice and the appropriate approach for me. I will do a Coconut Oil Cleanse.

#5 - Chronic viral infections. To my knowledge I am not suffering from any viral infections.

#6 - Metal Toxicity - I am not exposed to these metals so I will discount this one: aluminum, arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury.

#7 - Blood Sugar Issues - Consuming protein in the AM can help to regulate your blood sugar and eating health small meals/snacks throughout the day.

#8 - Artificial Sweeteners - KICK ME IN THE HEAD, GUT AND BUTT - I haven't had a Diet Coke for 6 days. There are many articles on the ill effects of artificial sweeteners. GOOGLE it for yourself and come to your own conclusion.

#9 - Menopause - My baby apartment was removed a few years ago increasing the likelihood of earlier onset of menopause with the partial hysterectomy.

#10 - Constipation - You feed it via the mouth on your head. It makes it way through the gut and hopefully eliminates regularly out the butt. All of my other commitments will keep it all flowing. I have started taking a probiotic supplement.

There's a short list of causes of brain fog to contemplate if you are so inclined. In regards to my genie reference, she represents one of the 7 Chakras, which spans your head, gut and butt. They are all dependant on each other. All for one and one for all. Here is a fun, no brainer guide to your 7 Chakras, 7 Courses of Living Fully. My brain fog is caused by a combination of many things. My awareness and willingness to address it has centered me back to being aware of all the areas of my mind, body and soul that need proper fuel and care. Like I said earlier, the fog causes the the Traveling part to be slow and sometimes dangerous.

4 comments:

consultpro said...

Kim,

An excellent piece and I'm guilty of many of the causes, but am a work in progress.

I really enjoy your way of talking directly to us. You touch many lives. Keep up the great work. You are truly a gift to the world.

Hugs,
Angela

Anonymous said...

I have a dear Family member who has suffered brain fog for quite some time. Some of it is chronic illness induced. Adrenal function was checked and that was fine. Depression makes the brain fog worse but yet anti-depressants haven't helped all that much. Talk therapy can be a better avenue for the depression and anxiety for some people. ADD med Adderall is currently being used and working pretty decently (not 100%) to curb at least some of the brain fog to at least get through the work day with a clearer head.

Tracie Nall said...

These are all great tips!!

My husband was a chronic diet coke drinker for years. I talked him into going off of it (and anything else containing aspartame) for a month "just to see" within the week his short term memory was better, he was more energetic, he said his thinking was clearer, he was having more connected conversations, and really staying in the "now". It was an amazing difference. We have banned that poison from our house!

Hopson said...

congrats! especially on the non-diet soda week :) i did research on the ill effects of artificial sweeteners and wow i'd have wished that I knew about these things sooner.