If you often can’t think straight and feel brain fog, say goodbye to these 7 habits

When I reflect on periods in my life when my thoughts felt like a tangled mess, I can’t help but notice a common thread – certain habits and behaviors that were clouding my clarity.

It’s not an uncommon scenario. You’re seated at your desk, an endless list of tasks before you, but your mind is a foggy expanse, and the gears just won’t turn. You’re not alone, it happens to the best of us.

The good news? It’s possible to clear that fog and regain your mental vitality. It begins with identifying and saying goodbye to some common habits that are likely sabotaging your cognitive agility.

Here are the 7 habits you need to let go if you’re often struggling with thinking straight and experiencing brain fog.

1) Consuming information without purpose

In the age of digital abundance, we are constantly bombarded with information. It’s easy to fall into the trap of scrolling through endless feeds, clicking link after link, consuming content without a clear purpose.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not against learning or staying informed. But when information consumption becomes a mindless habit, it can cloud our thinking and drain our mental energy.

I used to find myself lost in this sea of information, my mind filled with a jumble of unrelated facts and ideas. It felt like trying to see through a dense fog. I soon realized that this habit was not contributing to my growth or creativity—it was merely creating noise.

The key is mindful consumption. Be intentional about what you consume and why. Seek out information that aligns with your values, contributes to your growth and sparks your creativity. Keep your mind clear by filtering out the noise.

Say goodbye to mindless scrolling and hello to purposeful learning. The clarity in your thinking will thank you for it.

2) Neglecting physical well-being

Early in my entrepreneurial journey, I fell into the trap of glorifying the hustle. Long hours at the desk, fast food on the go, sleep as an afterthought—I was ticking all the boxes of a lifestyle that was far from healthy.

In my pursuit of success, I neglected my physical well-being, and it wasn’t long before my cognitive abilities took a hit. My thoughts were muddled, my focus waned, and my creativity seemed to have taken a backseat.

It took me a while to see the connection. Our minds are not separate from our bodies. They work in unison. Neglecting the needs of our bodies can directly impact our mental clarity.

I started prioritizing exercise, nourishing food, and adequate sleep. The difference was almost immediate. My thoughts were clearer, I felt more energized, and ideas seemed to flow with greater ease.

As James Clear, author of “Atomic Habits“, says, “You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.” Take care of your body—it’s the only system you’ve got to house your brilliant mind.

3) Living with unchecked societal conditioning

As we navigate through life, we often unknowingly adopt limiting beliefs and patterns that stem from societal conditioning. These invisible chains can cloud our mental clarity, making it difficult for us to think straight.

I’ve been there myself, living within the confines of societal expectations, my mind cluttered with shoulds and musts. Breaking free was challenging but transformative.

A tool that immensely helped in my journey was the “Free Your Mind” masterclass by shaman Rudá Iandê. The masterclass is a profound exploration into self-imposed limitations, societal conditioning, and how to transcend them.

Rudá’s teachings align closely with my own beliefs and have been instrumental in clearing my mental fog.

The exercises guided by Rudá in the masterclass are designed to dismantle common myths and foster personal growth. It’s not just about understanding oneself better, it’s about aligning actions with personal values for improved mental clarity and emotional resilience.

If you find yourself struggling with brain fog and confusion, I highly recommend checking out this masterclass. It’s an enlightening journey towards mental and emotional liberation. Shed the weight of societal conditioning and embrace your true potential.

4) Fearing self-reflection

In my journey towards mental clarity, one of the biggest hurdles I faced was coming face-to-face with my own fears and insecurities. It’s a daunting task and one that many of us consciously or subconsciously avoid.

We often fear what lies within the depths of our minds—unpleasant memories, unresolved issues, or perhaps truths about ourselves that we’d rather not confront. But here’s the raw, honest truth: avoiding self-reflection only perpetuates confusion and mental fog.

The process of self-reflection can be uncomfortable. It involves peeling back layers of denial, confronting your fears, and challenging your limiting beliefs.

But it is also incredibly liberating. By facing our inner demons, we can start to understand them, learn from them, and ultimately, overcome them.

This journey of self-discovery I embarked on after the masterclass wasn’t always easy. But it was necessary. And it led to a profound shift in my mental clarity.

Are you ready to confront your fears and clear your mental fog? Ask yourself this: What am I avoiding in my mind that could be holding back my clarity of thought?

5) Avoiding failure and discomfort

We live in a society that often views failure as something to be avoided at all costs. We’re taught to seek comfort and security, to tread the well-worn path.

But this fear of failure, this avoidance of discomfort, can hinder our mental clarity. It keeps us confined within our comfort zones, stifling our growth and creativity.

I’ve learned to embrace obstacles and setbacks. Instead of viewing failure as a dead-end, I see it as feedback—an invitation to adapt, grow, and evolve. This mindset has not only boosted my resilience but also cleared my mental fog.

Stepping into the realm of discomfort opens up a world of possibilities. It challenges us to think differently, to find innovative solutions, and to tap into our inherent creative potential.

Don’t let fear of failure cloud your thinking. Embrace the discomfort. It’s in the face of challenges that we often find our greatest clarity.

6) Neglecting authentic relationships

We’re often led to believe that success is a solitary journey—that individual achievements trump all else. But in my experience, this couldn’t be further from the truth.

Our relationships and connections with others are crucial for our mental clarity. They provide us with different perspectives, challenge our thinking, and offer support during challenging times. It’s through these connections that we grow, learn, and evolve.

But these need to be authentic relationships. Ones where we can be ourselves, express our thoughts freely, and engage in meaningful conversations without fear of judgement.

I’ve found that when I surround myself with people who inspire me, who challenge me, and who understand me, my thoughts become more clear. Ideas seem to flow more freely. The fog lifts.

Authentic relationships foster a supportive environment that encourages growth and creativity. Cultivate these relationships and watch your mental clarity flourish.

7) Disconnection from personal values

Many of us go through life disconnected from our core values—driven by external pressures, societal expectations, or the pursuit of material success. But this disconnection can lead to confusion, dissatisfaction, and a lack of mental clarity.

Aligning our actions with our values creates a sense of purpose and direction. It provides a roadmap for decision-making and problem-solving, clearing the fog and making way for focused thought.

In my journey towards authenticity, I’ve learned to align my actions with my deepest values – creativity, empathy, cooperation. As I’ve done this, not only have I found greater satisfaction in my work and relationships but also a significant improvement in my mental clarity.

Your values are your compass—they guide your choices and shape your life. Reconnect with them. Let them clear the fog and light up your path with clarity and purpose.

Embracing clarity in the complexity of life

In this journey, we’ve navigated the intricate paths that lead us to mental clarity. From mindful information consumption, caring for our physical well-being, breaking free from societal conditioning, to embracing discomfort and failure, we’ve explored the habits that can cloud our minds and hinder our thinking.

We’ve also delved into the power of authentic relationships and the importance of aligning our actions with our core values. By adopting these principles, we can say goodbye to brain fog and welcome a new era of clear, focused thinking.

For those ready to further explore these concepts and deepen their understanding, I strongly recommend the free “Free Your Mind” masterclass with Rudá Iandê.

This masterclass which I had the privilege of being involved in its production, offers a profound approach to personal development.

Rudá guides participants through transformative exercises designed to dismantle societal conditioning and self-imposed limitations. The masterclass encourages you to align your thoughts and actions with your personal values, leading to improved mental clarity.

Joining this masterclass is not just about learning—it’s about embarking on a journey towards mental liberation and authenticity. Embrace this opportunity to clear the fog and illuminate your path towards a fulfilling life.

Feeling stuck in self-doubt?

Stop trying to fix yourself and start embracing who you are. Join the free 7-day self-discovery challenge and learn how to transform negative emotions into personal growth.

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Picture of Justin Brown

Justin Brown

Justin Brown is an entrepreneur and thought leader in personal development and digital media, with a foundation in education from The London School of Economics and The Australian National University. His deep insights are shared on his YouTube channel, JustinBrownVids, offering a rich blend of guidance on living a meaningful and purposeful life.

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