We’ve all been there. After a long week of working, socializing, maintaining all the parts of our day-to-day life – brain-fried. “brain-fried” is a phrase that is often thrown around when we are feeling mentally exhausted and drained of energy. But what exactly does it mean to be brain-fried?
Are you experiencing brain fry and wondering what to do about it? Read on to find out more.
What Does “Brain-Fried” Mean?
Being brain-fried is when your brain is overworked, stressed, or overwhelmed; you can’t think straight and don’t have the drive to do anything that requires too much thought. It means you’re mentally exhausted to the point where you can’t think straight.
When your brain feels like you’ve been through too much mental labor and it’s actually physically tired because of this overload – this is what people are referring to when they use the term brain-fried.
In other words, when your mind feels fatigued because you’ve been overworking it for a while and need to relax or take a break from studying – this would be considered being brain-fried. Some would even call it mental fatigue.
Mental fatigue is the inability to focus or concentrate on things in front of us because our brains have reached their capacity for thinking at that time. It can also be defined as the state of discomfort and decreased motivation that can result when an individual is presented with mental or cognitive tasks.
Symptoms Of Being Brain-Fried
According to the Nutritional Healing Health Center, here are some symptoms of being brain-fried:
- Feeling like you don’t want to work anymore
- Difficulty concentrating on simple things: Being brain-fried can make concentration difficult, making it harder to perform tasks like reading and writing.
- Forgetfulness
- Slower thinking
- Difficulty gathering your thoughts and finding words
- Decrease in working memory
- Irritability
- Fatigue: Brain fry and fatigue typically go hand-in-hand. If you’re feeling tired, mainly if it’s related to a lack of sleep, your brain may be affected too.
What Are Some Of The Causes Of Being Brain-Fried?
Mental fatigue is a common problem for folks who spend large amounts of time performing activities that involve a substantial use of their minds or brains. This can look like working long hours in front of a computer or other screens of smart devices. Here are some common causes of becoming brain-fried among people:
- Having a lack of motivation can contribute to being brain-fried. If you feel unmotivated and without purpose, then it’s easy for this feeling to turn into mental fatigue, leading to you not wanting to do anything at all.
- Another cause of mental fatigue is when you have no sense of control over what’s going on around you. This can be caused by a variety of factors, such as the environment or your current situation.
- Feeling brain-fried could also come from social situations that don’t go the way you want them to which can be frustrating and lead to mental fatigue from the lack of control.
- If you fear failure, this could also cause you to feel brain-fried. Meaning if you’re not willing to try new things for fear that they won’t work out in the end which creates an environment where nothing new is learned.
- Being brain-fried can also come from perfectionism if you are not willing to make mistakes or accept failure, which means your growth as a person is limited, leading to mental fatigue because of the lack of control over this area in your life.
- Negative thinking can also cause you to feel brain-fried. If you are constantly putting yourself down or focusing on the things that go wrong in life rather than what goes right, this will create mental fatigue.
- Mental fatigue can also come from constant worrying, which is something that many people do without even realizing it.
- Mental fatigue may be the result of having too much stress in your life with no way to release these feelings or get them out, which means you’ll end up storing all this tension and mental fatigue until you eventually explode.
How to ‘Unfry’ Your Brain
Here are some tips to help you recharge and avoid future burnout:
Physical Exercises Can Help Prevent Mental Fatigue and Restore Human Brain Health
Feeling brain-fried may be caused by a lack of oxygen to the brain when working long hours on a computer, or spending too much time in front of a TV or other digital devices. Brain health can become impaired when there is a prolonged period without exercise, and endorphins released during physical activity cannot reach the brain.
Brain cells require regular stimulation through exercise for optimal functioning. They need exercise just like muscles do to stay healthy and active and be able to manage the many tasks they face each and every day.
Mental fatigue might also result from neurotransmitters in the brain. Natural chemicals in the brain that regulate mood and stimulate neural brain activity are not allowed to reach the brain when there is a prolonged period without exercise.
Aerobic exercises are known to increase blood flow, oxygenation of tissues, and synaptic activity in certain parts of the brain, which can help prevent mental fatigue by increasing connectivity between neurons (brain cells).
Staying Hydrated Helps Reduce Mental Fatigue
One major cause of mental fatigue is dehydration. Brain cells need water in order to function properly and keep you alert.
When you deprive your body of the necessary amounts of fluid needed through drinking too much caffeine or alcohol or not drinking enough water throughout the day, you can become brain-fried.
Brain cells die without adequate amounts of fluid, and in order to keep your mind fresh and focused, you need to keep all of your brain cells well-hydrated.
Brain Food: Eat Right for Peak Mental Performance and Cognitive Function
If you find yourself feeling brain-fried after eating, especially if you’ve just eaten foods containing sugar or dairy products, this could be a sign of low blood sugar levels. This can happen because our brains need glucose for fuel.
Eating right can do wonders for preventing mental fatigue, so make sure you are eating a balanced diet full of healthy fats. To avoid brain fry, experts from Eatright.org recommend a blend of foods rich in antioxidants such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and nuts. Foods high in Omega-three fatty acids like walnuts or salmon can also help.
Brain cells need a healthy diet full of good fats to function properly. Without them, the body cannot produce enough energy. Foods high in iron and B vitamins, such as beans and leafy greens, can energize your mind by helping your body metabolize carbohydrates into glucose for energy production.
Foods like blueberries and strawberries can also help improve memory. Foods like eggs and avocados contain choline, which is important for mental function as it is a building block of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Acetylcholine is needed for us to be able to retain new memories and learn new things. In sum, eating right can help you focus better and avoid brain fry.
Avoid Brain Overload by Prioritizing Tasks
Avoid multitasking! Multitasking appears to be a fantastic method to get a lot of work done in one go, but study has revealed that our brains aren’t nearly as capable of juggling numerous things as we would like to believe.
Multitasking, according to research, might actually reduce your productivity by lowering your understanding, concentration, and overall effectiveness. This is because your brain cannot handle an overload of information all at once, causing it to shut down and turn off.
Brain overload can be a result of an overstressed schedule so it is important to prioritize the items on your to-do list correctly. Prioritizing includes understanding what your priorities are and sticking to them while avoiding unnecessary tasks that only add clutter and waste valuable brain resources.
Avoid Brain Burnout by Taking Breaks during Work Periods
Working through lunch or other breaks can cause your brain to get tired. Brain cells need rest and relaxation in order to function properly. Try taking short breaks during work periods, by performing activities such as walking around the room for two minutes or getting up from your desk every hour to take a stretch break.
Take this time to mentally recharge by closing your eyes and meditating. Even just walking outside in the sunshine gives your mind some time away from work and will help you avoid future burnout.
How To Study Better to Avoid Feeling Brain-Fried
Mental fatigue is a major issue that students face, but luckily, there are ways to overcome it. The brain-fried feeling is a common issue that students have when they’re studying for an exam or working on projects.
It’s important to avoid getting too exhausted by learning how to study better so that students can feel less brain-fried. Mental fatigue is sometimes complex because of the variety of topics that relate to it, but there are ways that students can prevent this from happening in their lives.
There are many ways to prevent yourself from feeling brain-fried while studying or working on a project. Understanding what it means to be brain-fried can show students that their brains need some time off in order to recharge before they can continue studying. Here are some practices students can adopt to avoid getting brain-fried:
Schedule your study time
It’s important for students who are working towards something or learning new material to set up a schedule so that their brain can get used to the idea of studying in a structured manner instead of only when it feels like it, which can lead to them feeling brain-fried afterward.
Understanding what mental fatigue is and how to deal with it can show students the importance of having a study schedule, so their mind can become used to the idea of focusing on what they need to know and won’t feel overwhelmed while doing it.
Make sure you’re getting enough sleep at night
This might seem obvious, but many students have the tendency to stay up late studying or working on projects and then wake up early in order to get things done on time, but this is actually what makes them feel brain-fried because their tired minds will have trouble focusing when they’re trying to learn something new.
Students need to make sure that they’re getting enough sleep each night instead of studying or working on projects late into the night, which will only lead to them feeling even more exhausted.
Take time to rest in between study sessions
While it’s important to know how to work hard, taking breaks is just as crucial when you’re trying to prevent yourself from feeling brain-fried while learning new material or working on a project that requires mental energy.
Students need these study breaks in order for their minds to not feel too tired and to be able to focus better on what they’re trying to accomplish.
Take care of yourself by exercising and eating right
Understanding the meaning of mental fatigue can show that taking care of your body is just as important as taking care of your mind when you’re trying to learn new material or complete an assignment because if you don’t feel good physically, your mind won’t be able to focus on what it needs to.
Making these changes when you are studying will help prevent the feeling of being brain-fried and help you feel less exhausted while studying for an exam or doing schoolwork.
Understanding what it means to be brain-fried can also remind students that it’s important to take care of their mind and body to have the chance to focus better when they need to learn something new or work towards accomplishing an objective.
It will also remind them that they need to make sure they’re eating healthy foods and exercising enough for their brain to feel refreshed instead of only feeling tired after studying or completing assignments.
Supplements To Help You With Brain Fry
Here are some supplements that can help you if you are suffering from brain fry:
metaFOCUS by Nuoptimal
This supplement will help you get rid of mental fatigue and enhance your mood. metaFOCUS improves and regulates the activities of neurotransmitters in the brain, which can help to eliminate brain fog and enhance your mood. In the end, a clear and positive mind leads to increased focus.
metaFOCUS is also a caffeine-free option that can deliver the same cognitive benefits of focus and mental alertness as caffeine, only without the associated grogginess or crashes. Claims made by this supplement manufacturer are supported by published research, which can be accessed in the “references” portion of its website.
Ingredient Breakdown
- Artichoke Extract – 300 mg
- Forskolin – 15 mg
- Acetyl-L-Carnitine – 350 mg
- CDP Choline – 100 mg
- DMAE Bitrate – 100 mg
- Pyrroloquinoline powder – 10 mg
- DL Phenylalanine – 240 mg
- Vitamin B5 – 20 mg
- Vitamin B6 – 5 mg
- Vitamin B9 – 1665 mcg
- Vitamin B12 – 100 mcg
VITAL VITAMINS Brain Supplement Nootropics Booster
This supplement provides brain stimulation without the jitters. It contains nootropics that have been shown to lessen weariness and combat the negative effects of brain fry. Dmae, a crucial element in our Brain Booster, may aid in the production of sensations associated with better mental clarity, memory, physical energy levels, and cognitive capacity.
The natural elements in this Brain Booster may help with logical thinking by improving mood and increasing attentiveness. Logical reasoning and creativity are strengthened when the brain is engaged and in the correct state.
This product is manufactured with high-quality vitamins, minerals, and herbal extracts that are non-GMO, hormone-free, and gluten-free.
Ingredient Breakdown
- Vitamin B12 – 500 mcg
- Bacopa Monnieri Extract – 300 mg
- Phosphatidylserine – 100 mg
- Ginkgo Biloba – 100 mg
- Rhodiola Rosea Extract – 50 mg
- Dmae (Dimethylaminoethanol) Bitartrate – 50 mg
- Gelatin
- Rice Flour
- Vegetable Magnesium Stearate
- Silica
NUTRAHERBALS Brain Booster Supplement
It’s all-natural, GMO-free, and vegan-friendly, with no fillers or additives. This all-natural nootropic combination improves mental function by increasing attention and mental clarity, as well as boosting memory.
The ingredients are all trustworthy, and you won’t feel jittery or crash as the product is caffeine-free. This convenient supplement of Neuro Health combines the benefits of many ‘brain pills’ into one natural supplement that may be taken once a day.
Ingredient Breakdown
- Thiamin – 5 mg
- Vitamin B6 – 5 mg
- Folate – 333 mcg
- Vitamin B12 – 5 mg
- Pantothenic Acid – 5 mg
- Calcium – 22 mg
- Magnesium – 3 mg
- Zinc – 10 mg
- Copper – 0.5 mg
- Manganese – 0.4 mg
- Dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE)
- Acetyl-L-Carnitine
- Phosphatidylserine
- Bacopa Monnieri (Whole Plant)
- Ginkgo Biloba Leaf
- L-Glutamine
- N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine
- Cinnamon Bark
- St. John’s Wort (Aerial Parts)
- Grape Seed
- Grapefruit Seed
- Huperzine A
Conclusion
We have already established what mental fatigue is, and the best ways to avoid it are preventative measures like getting enough sleep and eating well; however, sometimes, these things are out of our control.
So how do you refresh your brain if you are brain-fried? Brain fatigue can be combated by doing simple tasks like taking short walks, eating something sweet to boost your blood sugar levels, engaging in some form of physical activity, and so on.
The next time you feel that familiar feeling creeping up on you when studying for finals, don’t worry. Just apply some of the tips we have provided in this article, and you will soon be back to tip-top mental shape.
References
Cherry, Kendra. “Cognitive And Productive Costs Of Multitasking”. Verywell Mind, 2021.
Cherry, Kendra. “5 Surprising Ways That Stress Affects Your Brain”. Verywell Mind, 2021.
Di Liegro, Carlo Maria et al. “Physical Activity and Brain Health.” Genes vol. 10,9 720. 17 Sep. 2019, doi:10.3390/genes10090720
Dr.Smichdt, Darren. “Is Your brain-fried? | 17 Brain Fatigue Symptoms | The NHCAA”. The NHCAA.
Gavelin, Hanna Malmberg et al. “Mental fatigue in stress-related exhaustion disorder: Structural brain correlates, clinical characteristics and relations with cognitive functioning.” NeuroImage. Clinical vol. 27 (2020): 102337. doi:10.1016/j.nicl.2020.102337
“4 Types Of Foods To Support Memory”. Eatright.Org, 2021.