Many of us thought that 'Zoom' calls would be just a temporary thing! In reality, they are still very much around and staring at a screen all day with little actual human interaction in our working day can have a direct effect on our wellbeing.
Being able to demonstrate the same work ethic from our living room with the children calling, as when we were sat peacefully behind our desk with constant tea and biscuit breaks is very tasking.
Finding a way to combat this and improve our memory, focus and attention span can be challenging. Memory retention and mental processing that doesn't involve drinking an obscene amount of coffee each day can feel very out of reach. However, there are a couple of actions we can take to make sure to improve our working day.
Take Regular Breaks
Don’t be afraid to take regular breaks. Science shows that frequent-break-takers productivity levels are much higher than those who don’t take any and even work through lunch. Taking these breaks can help us to not get bored and therefore will help our focus when we are working. Stop feeling guilty for taking a break and on the reverse feel good about ourselves as we are most likely to improve our work outcome. We can even put them into our calendar to remind us to take them.
Consider Natural Nootropics
Nutrients that affect the cognitive performance of the mind are known as Nootropics. Nootropics by definition mean “mind boost”.
(A chemical compound that has been shown to boost brain function).
Nootropics have been nicknamed, ‘smart drugs’ so what exactly do these clever little supplements do? They improve various aspects of cognition such as enhancing our focus and helping with memory retention.
Our brain is a high energy organ. It only weighs 2% of our body but it consumes about 25% of the nutrients that are circulating within the body!
Beautifully Nourished’s natural, nootropic 5HTP supplement works with the body to deliver key nutrients within the blood to the brain.
There are a number of mechanisms influenced by the administration of nootropics, such as glutaminergic signalling and amyloid precursor protein.
Nootropic benefits are seen when interacting with the pathways and mechanisms relating to mental function such as memory, creativity, motivation, and attention. The nootropic affects the brain's performances through number of mechanisms or pathways, for example, the dopaminergic pathway.
Natural nootropic designed to support brain health and mental wellbeing; Nootropic Ingredients
Guarana Extract: A Nootropic for Energy.
Guarana is a natural nootropic linked to memory, test performance, reduced fatigue and focus. Guarana has an antioxidant profile similar to that of green tea and studies frequently find that people who take a guarana containing nootropic vitamin supplements feel less fatigued compared to those who take a placebo.
FUN FACT: Guarana seeds contain four to six times more caffeine than coffee beans
Phosphatidylserine: A Nootropic for Memory.
Phosphatidylserine is an aminophospholipid, which protects and carries messages between the cells in the brain. This nootropic ingredient plays an important role in keeping the mind and memory sharp by offering neuroprotective properties which can support cognitive function.
One study shows that individuals may be able to increase the rate at which they are able to make calculations, whilst also improving their overall accuracy in getting information right. These results have been most notable during moments of fatigue.
Phosphatidylserine also helps to enhance other nootropic supplement ingredients which positively impact the brain such as Ginko Biloba.
Ginko Biloba: A Nootropic Ingredient for Energy and Mood.
Ginkgo Biloba is claimed to have neuroprotective effects observed in humans.
FUN FACT: Ginkgo biloba is the only species derived from family of Ginkgophyta. It is called a “living fossil” since the morphology and features of the plant are changed for over 100 million years
Green Tea Extract: A Natural Nootropic for Fatigue.
Green Tea is an excellent, natural nootropic for energy and focus. In isolation, caffeine is able to promote wakefulness and alertness, however it can also result in outcomes such as restlessness, anxiety and jittering. When caffeine is combined with L-theanine, the productivity and creativity-enhancing benefits of caffeine remain and the potential negative effects are subsided by L-theanine’s capacity to promote relaxation without sedation.
Amino Acids: Natural Nootropics for Anxiety.
L-Theanine: The amino acid, L-Theanine is a natural nootropic shown to ease anxiety and promote relaxation. Helpful in times of periods of stress.
L-Taurine, L-Carnitine, L-Arginine & L-Tyrosine: These powerful amino acids are precursors to the neurotransmitter norepinephrine. Norepinephrine is depleted in times of stress and this amino acid blend can help to replenish the cognitive resources needed for working memory.
Black pepper: A Natural Nootropic for Bio-Absorption.
Piperine is the active ingredient found in black pepper and offers the ability to increase the level of absorption of other nootropic ingredients within the body.
DL-Chloine Bitartrate: A Nootropic for Memory Recall.
The nootropic choline has a critical role in neurotransmitter function because of its impact on acetylcholine and dopaminergic function. Studies suggest that choline supplements increase dopamine receptor densities and can improve memory recall.
5- HTP : Vitamins for Brain
5 HTP, short for 5-Hydroxytryptophan, is a naturally occurring amino acid and chemical precursor as well as a metabolic intermediate in the biosynthesis of the neurotransmitter Serotonin.
Serotonin levels can affect mood, sleep patterns, appetite, memory, learning and impulse control. The level of serotonin in the brain has an adverse effect on our state of restfulness and restlessness.
Beautifully Nourished’s 5HTP has been extracted from the seeds of the African plant know as 'Griffonia Simplicifolia' and precisely dosed to provide safe and effective levels of this essential amino acid, with the aim to support mental wellbeing, mood and clarity.
Alongside Nootropic Vitamins for Brain Fog , consider:
Exercise
There is strong evidence that moving our body regularly improves our memory whilst also improving your heart health. Whether it be in the form of yoga, following home work out video or a short run around the block - get that body moving!
& Remain Hydrated
Drink water regularly. Water is essential to ensuring our brain gets all the nutrients it needs to concentrate. One glass of water in the morning won’t be sufficient to keep our brain hydrated. Keep a bottle with us at all times to prompt us to keep drinking throughout the day.
