Have you ever found yourself nodding off at your desk? Or maybe just struggling to stay focused on that report you’ve been working on? More than likely, you’ve experienced the struggle of brain fog and the blow it can have on your productivity. And to make matters worse, our go-to fixes like caffeine and sugar actually only make it worse. Here are some ideas to beat and prevent the dreaded brain fog.

Quick Fixes to Bust Through Brain Fog

Sit Pretty

Yes, your mom was right, your posture does matter. Even if you have a standing desk like Xdesk, chances are you’ll find yourself sitting occasionally. When you sit, make sure that your knees are at a 90-degree angle with your feet flat on the floor, and sit tall to ensure your hands lay comfortably on your keyboard. This will help improve circulation and even breathing, which both can help your brain function more effectively.

Stand Up and Move

Standing, even for just a few minutes throughout the day, can counteract the negative side effects of sitting, including brain fog. Adding that simple form of physical exercise can help burn off the stress hormone cortisol and stimulate new brain cell formation—both of which can lead to brain fog. If you have an adjustable height standing desk like Xdesk, just spend a few minutes standing, or get up and go walk around the office for a minute or so. Even better, take a step outside. Sunshine and fresh air can do wonders for your mood and help clear your mind.

Nosh Nutritiously

Contrary to popular belief, that soda or cup of coffee actually won’t really help you beat brain fog. The sugar and caffeine might give you a temporary boost, but you’ll likely feel even worse once it wears off. Avoid the sugar crash and just eat a healthy snack. Fresh foods—not packaged or processed—are best. Snacks with protein, like beef jerky and hard-boiled eggs, or good kinds of fats like nuts and cottage cheese, and great to give your brain and body much needed nutrients without the insulin spike and inevitable crash caused by carbs and sugar.

Stretch it Out

Stretching is a great way to get energy circulating in your body. Stretch your arms over your head, touch your toes, rotate your head different ways to stretch your neck, whatever feels good to get your blood flowing again. There are even some really simple yoga poses you can do at your desk.

Tips to Keep Your Brain Healthy and Prevent Brain Fog

Say No to Sugar

Sugar and sugar-containing products are some of the worst culprits for brain fog. This includes carbs and starches, which elicit a similar response to sugar in your body. Combat the draw of the vending machine by keeping healthy, nutrient-rich snacks available at your desk. In addition to the high-protein and healthy fat options from above, you can try fresh vegetables like carrots, celery, and bell peppers with hummus.

Exercise Regularly

One of the most important things you can do to keep your brain healthy and performing at its best is regular exercise. Physical exercise can increase endorphins and deliver more glucose and oxygen to your brain. Even if you can’t squeeze in a consecutive 30 minutes or so at the gym, just break up the sedentary parts of your day with a walk or stretches to experience similar benefits. The main point? Get moving!

Supplement

Sometimes, brain fog can be a side effect of missing nutrients. If you struggle with brain fog often, it might be worthwhile to visit a nutritionist to evaluate your diet and see if you need any supplementation. Some common brain-boosting supplements include:

Vitamins D and B-12: These are both essential to brain health and supplementing common deficiencies.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids: These are found in high concentrations in the brain and are crucial to memory and overall brain health and function.

MultiVitamin: This will help fill in any nutritional gaps for when you don’t eat as well as you should.

Hydrate

Research has shown that dehydration can lead to fatigue. Make sure you drink enough water throughout the day that you don’t feel thirsty. And no, this doesn’t mean coffee or tea, which both can actually dehydrate you!

Having an adjustable height desk like Xdesk makes beating brain fog easy. Breaking up your time spent sitting with short standing intervals is hugely beneficial to your overall health, productivity, and yes, brain clarity. Let us know your go-to ways to beat brain fog!

The Xdesk Fit offers additional features beyond the normal treadmill desk.

Unless you’ve been sleeping under a rock (or perhaps more appropriately, an old, traditional desk), you have probably heard about the latest and greatest in ergonomic workstations: The treadmill desk!

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These simple exercises performed behind your adjustable height desk will help you stay in shape.

By standing behind your adjustable height desk you’re already burning more calories and bettering your health than if you were sitting down. And while that’s great and all, do you ever get bored just standing around?

That’s the great thing about an adjustable height desk. You can move around, you can alternate between sitting, standing, and somewhere in between. You can pace, you can dance, and yes, you can even get in a quick workout.

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Take this one week challenge to increase your standing stamina.

In a recent post we told you how to switch from your traditional, seated desk to using your adjustable height desk as a standing desk. The trick? Graaaadddduuuuaaallllyy.

I don’t want to make things too complicated for today’s post—I just want to know this: How much standing are you doing per day? How much sitting? If you don’t know, here is a nifty little calculator that will help you break it down.

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Good posture is the beginning to a healthier lifestyle.

Xdesk is an advocate of good posture. With sit to stand desks like these, you’re not only working on your posture when you’re standing up—you’re strengthening the muscles in your back so your posture improves when you sit down. Of course maintaining good posture isn’t an easy job, even with a sit to stand desk. You need to be aware of how you’re standing, mindful of any tension in your shoulders or back, and most of all you need to practice. Remember the old saying, “practice makes perfect?” Well it is true for good posture, too. Practice good posture when you’re standing and sitting at your adjustable height desk and before you know it, it will become habit.

But good posture should go beyond just practicing behind your sit to stand desk. That’s why in the next few posts, we’re going to give you the rundown on good posture—why you want it, how to get it, and tips for maintaining it, no matter where you are.

Today, we’ll start with the basics. Here are five reasons why good posture is so important: 

1) Standing and sitting correctly prevents back strain and overuse, and helps prevent back, neck, and muscle pain.

2) Good posture helps the muscles work more efficiently, which will help prevent fatigue

3) Good posture allows better breathing, which provides oxygen to your body and your brain. This is so important during the day, especially at work, when you need your brain to be awake and productive!

4) Standing properly makes you look slimmer, stronger, and healthier. And who doesn’t want that?

5) Good posture makes you look confident. Even if you’re not feeling confident at the moment, if you stand tall with your head held high, you’ll look like you own the room. And if you practice good posture, soon enough you’ll feel just as confident as you look.

Sit to stand desks are just one great way to practice good posture during the day. Check out our next post with some other ideas!

Do you use a sit to stand desk at work? How has it affected your posture?