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As December begins, life starts to seem more cozy and festive with occasions like Christmas and New Year. Social media is full of jokes and memes saying, “December is the Friday of the year.” Many of us connect with this idea, because this month feels like waiting for a long break. But with this holiday mood, some people notice that they feel tired, distracted or forgetful. This is often called holiday brain fog.
Holiday brain fog isn’t just a fun phrase. Experts say it’s a surreal experience that happens when we get tired from a long year and start thinking about the holidays.
“Brain fog is caused by high inflammation levels and hormonal changes that affect mood, energy and focus. Stress, poor sleep and unhealthy habits during the festive season often trigger this condition,” shares Dr Meenakshi Manchanda, associate director of psychiatry at Asian Hospital.
Also, the comparison to “Friday” makes sense. Just as Friday brings thoughts about the weekend, December makes us think about relaxing, celebrating and spending time with loved ones. But this mindset can make it easy to lose track of time, forget about tasks, or feel too tired to accomplish what needs to be done.
“Vacations are meant to refresh the mind, but sometimes they can do the opposite. Dr Praveen Gupta, Principal Director and Head of Neurology, Fortis Hospital, explains, “Lack of sleep due to early sightseeing, irregular meal times and excessive consumption of heavy, sugary food or alcohol can disrupt the body’s rhythm , which makes the brain sluggish and unable to concentrate.”
How to deal with holiday brain fog:
Brain fog during the holidays results from stress, disrupted routines, and overindulgence during festivals. Busy schedules, late nights and heavy meals can disrupt sleep, increase cortisol levels and cause cognitive fatigue.
To deal with this, Dr. Sneha Sharma, psychiatry consultant at Aakash Healthcare, New Delhi, suggests keeping a regular sleep schedule and incorporating relaxing activities like reading or yoga into your day. Staying hydrated is essential, especially if you are drinking coffee or alcohol.
Balancing festive dishes with healthy food like fruits, nuts and green leafy vegetables helps maintain energy. Daily physical activity, even a short walk, increases mental clarity. Simplify tasks by using to-do lists and setting boundaries to avoid overcommitment.
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