Focus, Stress, Your Brain, and That “Foggy” Feeling

Have you ever noticed that when life gets stressful, your brain just doesn’t feel like you? Like you’re trying to focus and it’s harder than it should be… you forget little things… or you feel mentally tired even after you’ve rested.

You’re not imagining it! According to research, Up to 90% of Doctor’s visits are related, at least in part, to Stress. Chronic stress is linked to poor sleep, reduced mental focus, weight gain, and other health issues. Understanding stress and learning to manage it is essential for long-term health.[i]

Researchers have been able to see how stress changes brain activity using modern brain imaging. And what they’ve learned helps make sense of that “why can’t I think clearly today?” feeling.

One of the most interesting parts centers on a small area of the brain called the hippocampus—it plays a big role in learning and memory. It’s been shown when stress hormones stay elevated for long periods, it can affect how well this memory center works. In some studies of people under long-term stress, the hippocampus was even shown to shrink slightly, which may help explain why extended stress can leave us feeling more forgetful, scattered, or mentally worn down.

A big part of this comes back to cortisol, the hormone your body releases when your brain senses stress. Cortisol isn’t “bad”—it’s part of your built-in survival system. In short bursts, it helps you stay alert and respond quickly.  We’re dealing with constant low-level stress—busy schedules, work pressure, family responsibilities, and information overload.

When cortisol stays high for too long, that’s when many people start noticing things like:

• Brain fog, lack of Focus (thinking feels slower than normal)
• Trouble concentrating (it’s hard to stay on task)
• Mental fatigue (your brain feels tired even when you want to be “on”)
• Forgetfulness (small details slip through the cracks)

Nutritional Support and Supplements– Certain nutrients can help manage stress:

• L-Theanine promotes relaxation without drowsiness.[iii]
• Ashwagandha is an adaptogen that supports the body’s stress response.[iv]
• Beta-sitosterol helps moderate cortisol increases during stress.[v]
• L-Tyrosine supports cognitive function during physical stress.[vi]

Stress and mood supplements or gummies contain specific nutrients that can help reduce feelings of stress. While not all stress supplements are the same, one of our favorites is Cheer Up & Chill Out, a delicious strawberry–flavored gummy for stress relief and improved mood.* These gummies contain ashwagandha, an adaptogenic herb that has been studied and shown to help reduce stress, and clinically tested L-theanine, an amino acid found naturally in dried tea leaves that may help calm feelings of stress.* They also contain essential B vitamins that are important for brain function and saffron to help lift your mood.* Best of all, the ingredients in Cheer Up & Chill Out are rigorously tested for safety and contain no artificial fillers or flavors..  

 

 

 

 

MindWorks® ingredients have been clinically shown to improve your mental sharpness and focus, delivering vital nutrients to help keep your brain healthy as you age.*

Enhances Short-Term Memory*†

Sharpens Focus*†

Improves Reaction Time*†

Protects Against Age-Related Mental Decline*§

Slows Brain Shrinkage Rate*§

Supports Healthy Circulation*

MindWorks® contains a unique chardonnay grape seed polyphenol blend, a natural guarana extract, plus vitamins B6, B12, and folate. The ingredients in MindWorks have been shown in multiple clinical and laboratory studies to significantly enhance short-term memory, sharpen focus, improve reaction time, protect against age-related cognitive decline, and support healthy circulation.*‡§  

 

In conclusion, since managing stress is a key skill to have in self-care, getting help is applauded. Lifestyle changes help, but reach out to a healthcare provider or mental health professional if stress feels overwhelming. Seeking support is an important part of protecting your mental and physical health.  

Sources (information partially rom Shaklee’s Naturally Blog)

[i] Barrington WE, Ceballos RM, Bishop SK, McGregor BA, Beresford SA. Perceived stress, behavior, and body mass index among adults participating in a worksite obesity prevention program, Seattle, 2005-2007. Prev Chronic Dis. 2012 Oct;9:E152. PMID: 23036611

[ii] Asmundson GJ, Fetzner MG, Deboer LB, et al. Let’s get physical: a contemporary review of the anxiolytic effects of exercise for anxiety and its disorders. Depress Anxiety. 2013 Apr;30(4):362-73. PMID: 23300122

[iii] Kimura K, Ozeki M, Juneja LR, Ohira H. L-Theanine reduces psychological and physiological stress responses. Biol Psychol. 2007 Jan;74(1):39-45. PMID: 16930802

[iv] Auddy B, et al. A standardized Withania somnifera extract significantly reduces stress-related parameters in chronically stressed humans. J Am Nutraceutical Assoc 11.1 (2008): 43-49

[v] Bouic PJ, Clark A, Lamprecht J, et al. The effects of B-sitosterol (BSS) and B-sitosterol glucoside (BSSG) mixture on selected immune parameters of marathon runners: inhibition of post marathon immune suppression and inflammation. Int J Sports Med. 1999 May;20(4):258-62. PMID: 10376483

MindWorks

^†Clinically tested key ingredients.

^‡At six hours versus control.

^§Based on a two-year study of 223 adults with mild cognitive impairment.

^∞Based on thermographic imaging results from a double-blind preliminary Shaklee employee-use pilot trial.

1. Kennedy, D.O., Haskell, C.F., Wesnes, K.A., Scholey, A.B. Improved cognitive performance in human volunteers following administration of guarana (Paullinia cupana) extract: comparison and interaction with Panax ginseng. Pharmacol. Biochem. Behav. 79:401-411, 2004.
2. Haskell, C.F., Kennedy, D.O., Wesnes, K.A., Milne, A.L., Scholey, A.B. A double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-dose evaluation of the acute behavioural effect of guarana in humans. J. Psychopharm. 21:65-70, 2007.
3. de Jager, C.A., Oulhaj, A., Jacoby, R., Refsum, H., Smith, A.D. Cognitive and clinical outcomes of homocysteine-lowering B-vitamin treatment in mild cognitive impairment: a randomized controlled trial. Int. J. Geriatr. Psychiatry 27:592-600, 2012.
4. Smith, A.D., Smith, S.M., de Jager, C.A., Whitbread, P., Johnston, C., Agacinski, G., Oulhaj, A., Bradley, K.M., Jacoby, R., Refsum, H. Homocysteine-lowering by B vitamins slows the rate of accelerated brain atrophy in mild cognitive impairment: a randomized controlled trial. PLoS ONE 5(9): e12244. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0012244, 2010.
5. Del Rio, D., Rodriguez-Mateos, A., Spencer, J.P., Tognolini, M., Borges, G., Crozier, A. Dietary (poly)phenolics in human health: structures, bioavailability, and evidence of protective effects against chronic diseases. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 18:1818-1892, 2013.
6. Jimenez, R., Duarte, J., Perez-Vizcaino, F. Epicatechin: endothelial function and blood pressure. J. Agric. Food Chem. 60:8823-8830, 2012.
7. Spencer, J.P.E. The impact of fruit flavonoids on memory and cognition. Br. J. Nutr. 104:S40-S47, 2010.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.