Mental disorders are becoming increasingly common and influence every area of a person’s life. Mental health doesn’t just affect a person’s thoughts but also their feelings, mood, and behaviors.
Brain fog, mood swings, and anxiety are common symptoms of mental illness that can not just disrupt your day to day life but also your long term health.
When you can’t think straight, have memory troubles, or feel like your mood is swinging from one extreme to the other, it can be hard to show up as your best self not to mention enjoy your life to the fullest.
But did you know that anxiety and brain fog are often symptoms associated with menopause?
Research indicates that 60% of women over the age of 40 report symptoms of brain fog and 20% of menopausal women experience depression at some point of this life stage.
The shifts in hormone levels have been shown to influence mood and cognitive function in menopausal women by altering chemicals in the brain.
Descending levels of estrogen, progesterone, follicle stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone are said to influence the changes in mood experienced during this transition in a woman’s life.
But hormones aren’t the only influences that may cause changes in cognitive function and mood in menopause. Sleep problems and stress, both of which can be disrupted during this phase, may also contribute to increased feelings of anxiety and trouble concentrating.
Keep reading to learn more about which dietary and lifestyle factors can influence your mental and emotional health and what you can do to boost your brain for increased cognitive function and a happier mood.
