Stillness in the Storm

An Agent for Consciousness Evolution

Mental Clarity: 9 Natural Solutions That Work

By Leave a Comment

Spread the love

(Dr. Edward F. Group) Like any part of your body, the brain can become stressed and unwell. It can also stay healthy, sharp, and clear. Your brain is an incredible machine if you think about it. That 3-pound organ contains billions of cells with trillions of connections — creating your thoughts, impulses, memories, and movements. If you nurture your brain for mental clarity, you can keep a clear, active mind. Simple exercises can help. Certain herbs can pep up your brain, as well.

Related Mind Hacks for Self Mastery: The Talismanic Effect, Biological Virtual Reality Environment, and The Power of Personal Narrative

Source – Wake Up World

by Dr. Edward F. Group, September 5th, 2019

This article will show you how to create better concentration, clear your head, and stay on top of your game.

What Does Mental Clarity Mean?

When your mind is clear, you can easily make decisions, and you feel sharp, alert, and aware of your surroundings.

When your mind isn’t clear, you might feel anxious, distracted, and unable to concentrate. Some people call this collection of symptoms brain fog.[1, 2]

We all experience declines in mental clarity, perhaps due to stress, diet, or lack of sleep. Temporary changes in your blood sugar, blood pressure, or hormones can affect your mental clarity. Daily stress and anxiety also affect your mental clarity. This is all the more reason to engage in these simple ideas.

Buy Book The More You Do The Better You Feel: How to Overcome Procrastination and Live a Happier Life

How to Improve Your Mental Clarity

Mental fogginess is something you can change. At any given time, a full 25 percent of your blood is in the brain at any one time. Oxygen in your blood feeds all the brain and nerve cells. Getting oxygen to your brain plays a key role in keeping your mind focused. So is clearing your mind of stray and anxious thoughts.

Whether you start meditating, do a cleanse, exercise more, or try mind-clearing herbs, you can create more focus, a happier mood, and better clarity.

Read on for several simple, practical ideas.

Buy Book An Invitation to Self-Care: Why Learning to Nurture Yourself Is the Key to the Life You’ve Always Wanted, 7 Principles for Abundant Living

1. Change Your Diet

You are what you eat, and that’s also true for your mind. The wholesome nutrients — or lack thereof — in the foods you eat is one of the single greatest factors affecting your mental clarity.

Eat fruits, especially berries, as well as a variety of colorful vegetables for a clear mind. They can reduce age-related cognitive challenges at any stage of life![3, 4] Nuts and seeds contain omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for brain health.[4] It’s best to eliminate meat and eat a plant-based diet.

Eliminating trigger foods is just as crucial for mental clarity as feeding your body with healthy whole foods. Many people are sensitive to foods without even realizing it. Common triggers include gluten, lectins, animal foods, and nightshades. When you eat these foods, not only can they affect your digestion, but also your mind. If you can, go organic to eliminate the traces of pesticides on foods, or, at minimum, clean your veggies thoroughly before eating.

Buy Book Super Ager: You Can Look Younger, Have More Energy, a Better Memory, and Live a Long and Healthy Life

2. Try a Cleanse, Detox, or Fast

If your diet is unhealthy, you will not be able to experience the brightest, happiest state of mind. You can fix that. Engage your body’s self-healing by doing a body detox or cleanse. While there are hundreds of options, the basic concept involves eliminating all trigger foods and toxins for a period of time.

A week works well, followed by a slow reintroduction of foods. Adding various foods gradually enables you to identify how your body and mind react. If you find a drop in mental clarity, then seriously consider cutting that food out for good.

Cleansing is a great way to give up bad-habit foods, like sugar, caffeine, or excessive carbs. It’s a great way to kick-start healthy new habits. Your brain will thank you.

If you want to take it to the next level, try a juice or water fast. This involves eliminating all solid food and consuming only liquids for a period of time. Check with your healthcare provider before starting a fast, especially if you take any medications or have any health conditions. Fasting is an incredible tool for body healing.[6]

3. Use Essential Oils

Declutter your mind — and refresh your surroundings with a lovely scent — by using essential oils. Certain oils can improve your attention span and decrease stress. Add a few drops into a diffuser and allow it to work its mind-clearing magic. The best choices for mental clarity include the following:

Rosemary

This herb has a stimulating effect, which can impact brain wave activity and mood.[7]

Buy Rosemary (Large 4 ounce) Best Essential Oil

Peppermint

Smelling peppermint oil can increase alertness and improve memory, two important facets of mental clarity.[8]

Buy Peppermint Oil

Lemon Balm

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) can increase alertness, boost mood, and even help problem-solving.[9, 10]

Buy Organic Lemon Balm Liquid Extract for Calming Nervous System Support

4. Get Restful Sleep

Sleep and mental clarity are closely linked. When you’re overly tired, your brain can’t work at full capacity.[11] Furthermore, not getting seven to nine hours per night is a cause of brain fog.[1]

When you sleep, your brain makes connections between neurons — sort of like clearing out cobwebs. Restorative sleep involves several cycles of REM (rapid eye movement), dreams, and other periods when your body and mind are healing and resting. If you have trouble falling asleep or you wake during the night, try our helpful suggestions for a good night’s rest.

5. Write in a Journal

Writing is a powerful tool to release the thoughts, worries, and distractions that clutter your mind. Some people call it a brain dump. Buy a journal that you love, or just find an old empty notebook, and get it all out. Try doing morning pages — the act of writing two to three full pages before starting your main daily activities.

Your writing does not have to be profound or even good. Just get the rambling, random thoughts from your brain onto the page! If it helps, you can also write a to-do list to get all those things you need to remember from your mind and onto a page. This clears your thoughts and allows you to stay focused on the task at hand.

Buy Book Good Days Start With Gratitude: A 52 Week Guide To Cultivate An Attitude Of Gratitude: Gratitude Journal

6. Take Up Meditation

Meditation is one of the most profound and proven ways to clear the restless mind and have a more positive attitude, improved concentration, and relaxation.[12] If you’ve never meditated before, we have some meditation tips for beginners.

Find a peaceful spot with quiet and peaceful stimuli, such as relaxing lighting or a diffuser full of essential oils. Sit or lie down comfortably. Set a timer for 10 minutes — though you can do more or less. During the meditation period, concentrate on your breath and try to allow the extraneous thoughts that come to just pass away like clouds. Don’t worry if you don’t have a clear mind during meditation.

It takes time and practice, but your body and mind will see a difference before long. The best part? The clearer mind often comes after the meditation and can last all day long.

Buy Book Breaking The Habit of Being Yourself: How to Lose Your Mind and Create a New One

Buy Audio Meditations for Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself: Revised Edition

7. Get Your Fitness On!

Exercise, including light activity such as yoga, can also improve your mood and make you feel more relaxed.[13] Any physical activity has the added benefit of improving your sleep as well.[13]

Other than diet, exercise has the greatest impact on your health — and directly affects your mental clarity. Whether you go for long walks outdoors, engage in yoga, take a full-on boot camp, or lift weights in the gym, exercise pays dividends.

Buy Book Exercise for Mood and Anxiety: Proven Strategies for Overcoming Depression and Enhancing Well-Being

8. Try Mind-Clearing Herbs

Herbal supplements can help reduce brain fog and decrease stress. Several of these herbs have a long history of traditional use. Some can interact with other medicines, so discuss with your healthcare provider if needed.

Bacopa monnieri

Bacopa monnieri, an Ayurvedic herb also known as Brahmi, is traditionally used to reduce stress. Scientists found that Bacopa also improves mood and your ability to think clearly.[14] The fresh leaves have a lemony, earthy smell. An organic Brahmi supplement or tea might help you reduce the clutter in your mind.

Buy Bacopa Monnieri

Ginseng

Ginseng is a powerful root that grows around the world, with several different varieties. In research studies, ginseng has helped people decrease stress and improve thinking.[15, 16] You can find multiple types of ginseng blended in teas and supplements. Make sure you look for organic ginseng without unnecessary fillers.

Buy Maximum Strength Organic Ginseng Root 200:1 Extract Powder (4 Ounce). Powerfully Improves Stamina, Mental & Physical Performance

Ginkgo Biloba

Traditional Chinese medicine has long used ginkgo leaf extract as a complementary supplement for the mind.[17] Gingko supports overall brain health and healthy circulation — which affects mental alertness.

Buy Ginkgo Biloba Herb

9. Take the Right Supplements

When your body doesn’t have the right balance of vitamins and minerals, your mind might feel unclear.[18] Here are a few types of nutrients that may aid in decreasing fogginess and improving mental clarity.

Probiotics

Beneficial microbes living in your gut play a crucial role in your brain health.[19] Known as probiotics, these microbes play a clearly established role in your mental wellness.[19] Support a healthy gut flora for mental clarity with a superior formula like Floratrex™, which has 25 strains and 75 billion CFU (colony-forming units). Much of the body’s serotonin is produced in the intestinal tract and depends on a healthy gut biome.

Buy Organic Probiotic with Prebiotic Capsules

B Vitamins

There are multiple B vitamins, including folic acid or folate, biotin, B-6, and B-12. When you are not getting enough of the B vitamins, you could experience cognitive impairment, memory loss, and general grumpiness.[21] Vitamin B-12, in particular, is connected to brain health and focus. You can try a standalone B-12 or a supplement with a broad spectrum of B vitamins.[22]

Buy B Vitamins Pure Synergy Super B-Complex (60 Tablets) B Vitamin Made w/Organic Fruits & Veggies

Omega-3

Omega-3 fatty acids are molecules with a multitude of benefits. You can find plant-based omega-3 fatty acids such as flaxseed or algae oil.[23, 24] These important nutrients are connected to mental health and focus.[25] Make sure you eat organic, all-natural sources of omega-3.

Points to Remember

Mental clarity means that you can think clearly, concentrate, and focus. If you lack mental clarity and your thoughts are running wild, the good news is that you can make simple changes to improve your cognitive function.

The single most important thing you can do is change your diet! Eliminate trigger foods that many people are sensitive to, like gluten, animal foods, and dairy. Add more antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables! Also, exercise is probably the second most important lifestyle factor in creating a clear mind.

Beyond that, you can spend time calming the mind in meditation, or journal to brain-dump your anxious and worrisome daily thoughts. Make sure you get enough of the right supplements, like B-12, omega-3 fatty acids, and probiotics, and try mind-clearing herbs like ginseng, Bacopa, and Ginkgo biloba.

These strategies will help reduce brain fog and improve attention.

Article Sources:

  1. Fibro fog. Arthritis Foundation. Accessed 13 June 2019.
  2. Cognitive changes. National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Accessed 13 June 2019.
  3. Spencer S, et al. Food for thought: how nutrition impacts cognition and emotion. npj Science of Food 2017;1.
  4. Foods linked to better brainpower. Harvard Medical School. Accessed 11 June 2019.
  5. 5 Klein AV, Kiat H. Detox diets for toxin elimination and weight management: a critical review of the evidence. J Hum Nutr Diet. 2015 Dec;28(6):675.
  6. Shojaie M, et al. Intermittent fasting could ameliorate cognitive function against distress by regulation of inflammatory response pathway. J Adv Res. 2017 Nov; 8(6):697-701.
  7. Sayorwan W, et al. Effects of inhaled rosemary oil on subjective feelings and activities of the nervous system. Sci Pharm. 2013 Apr-Jun;81(2):531-542.
  8. Moss M, et al. Modulation of cognitive performance and mood by aromas of peppermint and ylang-ylang. Int J Neurosci. 2008 Jan;118(1):59-77.
  9. Spiridon I, et al. Antioxidant capacity and total phenolic contents of oregano (Origanum vulgare), lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) and lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) from Romania. Nat Prod Res. 2011 Oct;25(17):1657-1661.
  10. Scholey A, et al. Anti-stress effects of M. Officinalis containing foods. Nutrients. 2014 Oct 30;6(11):4805-4821.
  11. Neu D, et al. Cognitive impairment in fatigue and sleepiness associated conditions. Psychiatry Res. 2011 Aug 30;189(1):128-134.
  12. Deepak KK. Meditation induces physical relaxation and enhances cognition: A perplexing paradox. Prog Brain Res. 2019;244:85-99.
  13. Penedo FJ, Dahn JR. Exercise and well-being: a review of mental and physical health benefits associated with physical activity. Curr Opin Psychiatry. 2005:18(2):189-193.
  14. Benson S, et al. An acute, double-blind, placebo-controlled cross-over study of 320-mg and 640-mg doses of Bacopa monnieri (CDRI 08) on multitasking stress reactivity and mood. Phytother Res. 2013 Jun 21.
  15. Rinwa P, Kumar A. Modulation of nitrergic signalling pathway by American ginseng attenuates chronic unpredictable stress-induced cognitive impairment, neuroinflammation, and biochemical alterations. Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol. 2014 Feb;387(2):129-141.
  16. Scholey A. Effects of American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) on neurocognitive function: an acute, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study. Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2010 Oct;212(3):345-356.
  17. Ginkgo. National Institutes of Health National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Updated September 2016. Accessed 11 June 2019.
  18. Gomez-Pinilla F. Brain foods: the effects of nutrients on brain function. Nat Rev Neurosci. 2008 Jul; 9(7):568-578.
  19. 4 fast facts about the gut-brain connection. National Institutes of Health National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Last modified 24 September 2017. Accessed 10 June 2019.
  20. Probiotics may help boost mood and cognitive function. Harvard Medical School. Accessed 8 June 2019.
  21. Kennedy DO. B vitamins and the brain: mechanisms, dose and efficacy—a review. Nutrients. 2016 Feb; 8(2):68.
  22. Pawlak R, et al. How prevalent is vitamin B(12) deficiency among vegetarians? Nutr Rev. 2013 Feb;71(2):110-117.
  23. Potential health benefits of plant vs. marine omega-3 fatty acids. Stanford Medicine. Accessed 13 June 2019.
  24. Dewell A, et al. Low- and high-dose plant and marine (n-3) fatty acids do not affect plasma inflammatory markers in adults with metabolic syndrome. J Nutr. 2011 Dec; 141(12):2166-2171.
  25. Okereke OI, et al. The VITamin D and OmegA-3 TriaL-Depression Endpoint Prevention (VITAL-DEP): Rationale and design of a large-scale ancillary study evaluating vitamin D and marine omega-3 fatty acid supplements for prevention of late-life depression. Contemp Clin Trials. 2018 May;68:133-145.

Originally published at Global Healing Center and reproduced here with permission.

Recommended articles by Dr. Edward Group:

About The Author

 

Dr. Edward F. Group III (DC, ND, DACBN, DCBCN, DABFM) founded Global Healing Center in 1998 with the goal of providing the highest quality natural health information and products. He is world-renowned for his research on the root cause of disease. Under his leadership, Global Healing Center earned recognition as one of the largest natural and organic health resources in the world. Dr. Group is a veteran of the United States Army and has attended both Harvard and MIT business schools. He is a best-selling author and a frequent guest on radio and television programs, documentary films, and in major publications.

Dr. Group centers his philosophy around the understanding that the root cause of disease stems from the accumulation of toxins in the body and is exacerbated by daily exposure to a toxic living environment. He believes it is his personal mission to teach and promote philosophies that produce good health, a clean environment, and positive thinking. This, he believes, can restore happiness and love to the world.

For more, please visit Global Healing Center.

Stillness in the Storm Editor: Why did we post this?

Why bother trying to improve yourself? Because the self the venue through which you experience everything, including, taking action in the world. But the self isn’t like a car, it doesn’t just work—it takes work to make it work for you. The self is not only the thing you use to experience the world but it’s the thing you’re discovering through your exploration of the world. What’s more, it’s also the thing you’re creating through your actions and thought processes. Oddly enough, the self is the thing we have the most control over and is the most influential in our lives, despite its elusive nature, it makes sense that trying to improve ourselves is arguably the master key to success in all areas of life. The preceding information discusses the importance of self-work, speaking to techniques, psychology, philosophy, or spirituality. Put simply, there are two choices in life: develop control and mastery over the animal self or let your animal instincts and fears control your life. For many, the tools needed to gain control and liberation therefrom are not available, and so the quest to improve the self seems worthless. But suffering in general is one of many spiritual influences that motivate the individual to become the best version of themselves. This sacred call to realize your full potential is something almost everyone feels at some point in their lives. Those who step forward in this path, despite life’s hardships, transcend suffering and become active players in the Great Work of making the world a better place through their very being.

– Justin

Not sure how to make sense of this? Want to learn how to discern like a pro? Read this essential guide to discernment, analysis of claims, and understanding the truth in a world of deception: 4 Key Steps of Discernment – Advanced Truth-Seeking Tools.

Stillness in the Storm Editor’s note: Did you find a spelling error or grammar mistake? Send an email to [email protected], with the error and suggested correction, along with the headline and url. Do you think this article needs an update? Or do you just have some feedback? Send us an email at [email protected]. Thank you for reading.

Source:

https://wakeup-world.com/2019/09/05/mental-clarity-9-natural-solutions-that-work/

Notices and Disclaimers

We need $2000 per month to pay our costs. Help us one time or recurring. (DONATE HERE)

To sign up for RSS updates, paste this link (https://stillnessinthestorm.com/feed/) into the search field of your preferred RSS Reader or Service (such as Feedly or gReader).

Subscribe to Stillness in the Storm Newsletter

“It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.” – Aristotle

This website is supported by readers like you.

If you find our work of value, consider making a donation. 

Stillness in the Storm DISCLAIMER: All articles, videos, statements, claims, views and opinions that appear anywhere on this site, whether stated as theories or absolute facts, are always presented by Stillness in the Storm as unverified—and should be personally fact checked and discerned by you, the reader. Any opinions or statements herein presented are not necessarily promoted, endorsed, or agreed to by Stillness, those who work with Stillness, or those who read Stillness. Any belief or conclusion gleaned from content on this site is solely the responsibility of you the reader to substantiate, fact check, and no harm comes to you or those around you. And any actions taken by those who read material on this site is solely the responsibility of the acting party. You are encouraged to think carefully and do your own research. Nothing on this site is meant to be believed without question or personal appraisal.

Content Disclaimer: All content on this site marked with “source – [enter website name and url]” is not owned by Stillness in the Storm. All content on this site that is not originally written, created, or posted as original, is owned by the original content creators, who retain exclusive jurisdiction of all intellectual property rights. Any copyrighted material on this site was shared in good faith, under fair use or creative commons. Any request to remove copyrighted material will be honored, provided proof of ownership is rendered. Send takedown requests to [email protected].

What is our mission? Why do we post what we do?

Our mission here is to curate (share) articles and information that we feel is important for the evolution of consciousness. Most of that information is written or produced by other people and organizations, which means it does not represent our views or opinions as managing staff of Stillness in the Storm. Some of the content is written by one of our writers and is clearly marked accordingly. Just because we share a CNN story that speaks badly about the President doesn’t mean we’re promoting anti-POTUS views. We’re reporting on the fact as it was reported, and that this event is important for us to know so we can better contend with the challenges of gaining freedom and prosperity. Similarly, just because we share a pro/anti-[insert issue or topic] content, such as a pro-second amendment piece or an anti-military video doesn’t mean we endorse what is said. Again, information is shared on this site for the purpose of evolving consciousness. In our opinion, consciousness evolves through the process of accumulating knowledge of the truth and contemplating that knowledge to distill wisdom and improve life by discovering and incorporating holistic values. Thus, sharing information from many different sources, with many different perspectives is the best way to maximize evolution. What’s more, the mastery of mind and discernment doesn’t occur in a vacuum, it is much like the immune system, it needs regular exposure to new things to stay healthy and strong. If you have any questions as to our mission or methods please reach out to us at [email protected].

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.