There are many easy strategies we can rely on to develop clearer thinking. Brain fog and not being able to remember or complete basic tasks, seem to be on the rise. As someone with ADHD and Coeliac Disease, the combo of these can present problems. By tackling some key areas (that are free), we can reduce brain fog and develop clearer thinking.
Check out the graphic below to see what you can do to develop clearer thinking.
Stay hydrated for clearer thinking
Staying hydrated is one of the easiest ways for us to fight brain fog and keep our thinking clearer. Since our brain is mostly made of water, even mild dehydration can slow down our thinking, making it harder to focus. It can also leave us feeling tired or depleted.
Water helps deliver oxygen and nutrients to our brain, keeping it energised and functioning properly. It also flushes out toxins that can build up and contribute to mental fatigue. If we’re feeling foggy or sluggish, drinking a glass of water can often help us feel more alert and clear-headed.
I used to take costly rehydration sachets but have switched to taking small granules of Celtic sea salt before drinking water. I also add a small amount of granules to my water bottle each day for work and in my glass of water I prepare each night.
Add Celtic sea salt to your water for extra hydration. Here are some other reasons we should be adding salt to our water:
Reduce toxins for clearer thinking
Our environment is literally dripping in toxins these days making it hard to avoid them completely. But there are things we can do to minimise our exposure to environmental toxins. This includes the food we eat, the drinks we consume, the people we are around, and the situations we find ourselves in.
Reducing environmental toxins can help clear our thinking by minimising the harmful effects of chemicals that can interfere with brain function. Everyday exposure to toxins from alcohol, processed foods, and even personal care products can contribute to brain fog, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating. These toxins can cause inflammation, disrupt hormones, and affect neurotransmitters that are essential for our mental clarity.
By choosing natural products, eating organic foods, improving indoor air quality, and drinking filtered water (without Fluoride), we can reduce our toxin exposure and support better brain health. The fewer toxins our body has to process, the more energy and focus we’ll have for clearer thinking.
I have recently stopped drinking alcohol. I did this at the start of the year and continued. For my creativity to be at it’s peak, I need to have a clear head and I found that my drinking was getting in the way of this. It was just my time to stop alcohol and it took many years to get to this point. But it’s worth it as it’s a known neurotoxin and I’ve been wanting to stop drinking it for a long time now. There is currently no safe limit of alcohol consumption for our brain. That’s enough to put me right off.
Changing skin care products to reduce the toxic load on our body
Reducing the toxins that come into contact with our skin is essential for maintaining skin health and overall well-being. Our skin is the largest organ of our body and what goes on our skin, gets absorbed into our body. So if we’re chucking on a heap of chemicals, they could make their way into our system despite us not actually consuming them.
Start by choosing skincare products with clean, natural ingredients and avoiding those containing harmful chemicals such as parabens, sulphates, and synthetic fragrances. I hardly wear perfume these days except on the odd occasion. I opt for natural oils that are as natural as possible. Here’s an example of the oils and products I use.
It’s important to note, we don’t have to change all our products at the same time. Just start replacing them for better products as they run out. Buy samples first too if you can so you don’t waste money on a product you don’t end up liking.
Take regular breaks to promote clearer thinking
Taking breaks helps clear our mind by giving our brain a chance to reset. When we focus for too long without a break, our thinking can get sluggish, and it’s harder to stay productive. Stepping away, even for a few minutes, helps reduce mental fatigue, improve focus, and spark fresh ideas.
Whether it’s a quick walk, stretching, or just looking away from your screen, a short break can make a big difference in helping us think more clearly and work more efficiently.
I find walking a great way to clear my mind and come up with ideas or solutions to problems. Check out the following post to find out more.
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Write stuff down to reduce the load on our brain
When we get stuff out of our heads and on to paper or the notes in our phone), we free up some of the mental junk in our minds. I always carry a notepad and pen wherever I go but also use the notes function on my phone. Post it notes are also a great way to have a coloured visual within eyeshot to help remember tasks. If we have them written down, we don’t have to have the burden of trying to remember a million different things.
Writing things down is a great way to clear your mind and stay organised. When your thoughts are all over the place, jotting them down helps you process ideas, prioritise tasks, and let go of that mental clutter. Whether it’s making a to-do list, journaling, or just scribbling random thoughts, getting things out of our head and onto paper (or a notes app) can make us feel more focused and in control.
Limiting distractions is an easy strategy for clearing the mind
I’ve just come off a 30 day program that severely limited social media access. I didn’t miss social media. I threw myself into creative projects and haven’t looked back. My relationship with it has changed. I no longer have the distraction of constant notifications and I can concentrate better.
I have so much more time now because I’m not switching between tasks causing concentration lapses in between.
Limiting distractions helps clear our mind by allowing us to focus on one thing at a time instead of juggling multiple thoughts. When we’re constantly interrupted by notifications, background noise, or clutter, our brain has to keep switching gears, making it harder to concentrate. By turning off unnecessary alerts, creating a quiet workspace, and keeping things organised, we give our mind the space it needs to think more clearly and stay productive.
Being mindful is an easy to implement strategy for clearer thinking
Being mindful helps with clearer thinking by keeping us present and focused instead of getting lost in worries or distractions. When we practise mindfulness—whether through deep breathing, meditation, or simply paying attention to what we’re doing—we train our brain to slow down and process thoughts more effectively.
Living in the moment helps reduce stress, improves concentration, and allows us to make decisions with a calmer, clearer mindset. Instead of reacting on autopilot, mindfulness helps us stay in control of our thoughts and focus on what truly matters.
Here are some additional ways that being Mindful can help us.
Avoiding food additives for a clearer mind
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Food additives are harmful to our brain health especially if we eat a lot of processed foods. Some can cause allergies or sensitivities, like headaches or gut issues, while others, like artificial sweeteners and preservatives, have been linked to weight gain and other health problems. Certain additives, like food dyes, have even been connected to hyperactivity in kids.
While not all additives are harmful, it’s a good habit to check all labels and stick to whole foods. Avoiding processed food means fewer unnecessary chemicals in our body which supports our brain health and helps with clarity of thought.
The easiest option for me was to reduce all of these things and eventually stop them. If you can, stop them altogether rather than reduce. The reason I say this is because they are very addictive so can just prolong the addiction. It took a long time to reduce my addiction to them but having to eat gluten-free (I have coeliac disease) helped with the transition. I could’ve just eaten gluten-free crap but chose not to and feel much better for it.
The easiest way for us to know what’s in our food is to look at the ingredients label on the back of the packet, can or bag. We all eat different things so we can’t get someone to do this for us. Learning how to read and interpret ingredient labels is the best way for us to learn what we are putting in our bodies. Download the app YUKA. It’s free and I’ll go more into this app and its benefits in another post. It has a picture of a little carrot as its logo.
Explore E numbers, what might be lurking in your cupboards, and what ‘natural’ flavours and colours mean. We need to be doing our own research on every item we eat that’s not natural.
Exercise is an easy strategy to implement for clearer thinking
I exercise a lot. I do this for fitness obviously, but also to help clear my mind and improve my thinking. Because we are all at different fitness levels, finding something suitable may take a bit of time. I do martial arts, walking, and strength training. These work well for me and give me a good skill set while enhancing my strength both in body and mind.
Exercise can also have multiple benefits for the mind. Check out how exercise can help other parts of our well-being.
Exercise helps with clearer thinking by increasing blood flow to the brain, which delivers more oxygen and nutrients to keep it sharp. Physical activity also releases endorphins, which improve mood and reduce stress, making it easier to focus.
When we move regularly, whether it’s strength training a walk, or stretching, helps clear mental fog, boost energy, and improve memory. Plus, exercise gives our mind a break from overthinking, helping us return to tasks with fresh ideas and better concentration. My creativity is always enhanced after doing some form of movement.
Bottom line
There are many easy strategies we can use to improve clearer thinking. Staying hydrated, taking breaks, and practising mindfulness help reduce mental clutter, while regular exercise boosts brain function and focus. Limiting distractions and writing things down also play key roles in staying sharp. By combining these easy strategies, we can support our brain’s ability to think more clearly, stay organised, and make better decisions.
Now who wouldn’t want that!?!
