God has some seriously crazy timing. My blogging calendar (which was written a month ago) has the topic "brain fog" written in. As I sit here, I am deep in the middle of it for the first time in a quite awhile. It has been a stressful season and things came to a head when I attended mediation (again) with my ex-husband. While my mind felt prepared and fresh beforehand, my body remembered the last experience and my brain froze. I'm having trouble recalling details. My thinking is fragmented. Every thought feels like it's moving through quicksand. It's frustrating. I want to just break through it and move on with my life, but my body has other ideas. Have you been there friend?
Each time our brains experience extended periods of high stress, they go into survival mode. They stop recording memories and processing thoughts. Instead, cortisol is released in heavy doses and our bodies prepare for battle. This causes a feeling of being disconnected called brain fog. It makes it difficult to listen and process conversations, to recall specific details, and to articulate yourself clearly. Please know that you didn't do anything to cause it. Your brain is doing exactly what God designed it to do; It's protecting you from chronic stress.
There's no quick fix, but there are some ways to begin to work through it. Will you join me in some of these activities this week? Let's climb out of it together.
1. Reduce your exposure to the stressor.
I know this one is way easier said than done, but it's important to give yourself breaks so that the cortisol pump can shut off. Knowing your triggers will help you figure out how to find safety in your spirit. What triggers you? How can you carve out moments of safety from those triggers? Sometimes a simple walk around the block gives you enough time to get your bearings again, and sometimes more extreme measures need to be taken like moving out while your partner works toward change. The less exposure you have to the chronic stress, the more rapidly your brain will recover.
2. Exercise
Stress that comes into your body must come out. If it's held inside, it can be like a poison to your soul and you don't deserve that. Exercise can be a healthy outlet for that stress. You may want to start small if you aren't currently working out. Do some stretches when you wake up, do squats as you fold the laundry, or pull some weeds from the garden. The method isn't important, so be as creative as you like. What exercise is helpful to you? What needs to come off of your schedule to make this a doable goal?
3. Root yourself in truth
Some of the brain fog happens when the destructive person in your life says things about you or about events that are not true. We work so hard to figure out the disconnect (even sometimes doubting our own perceptions) that it's difficult to focus on the here and now. Your brain is working hard to problem solve, understand, and maybe even defend. To climb out of that thought loop, take a minute to write down anything your partner or abuser has said that is on repeat in your head. Next, ask God to show you the truth about who you are and what really happened. Write what you discover next to the abuser's statement. Do they match? If not, cross the lie off and circle the truth. Reread that list of truths as often as you need to.
God's truth will ultimately prevail over the lies and the evil. He has given me a few scriptures this week to remind me this battle is neither mine, nor yours. He's fighting for me and He's fighting for you.
"Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust."
-Psalms 91-1-2 NIV
"He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart...No harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways." Psalms 4, 9-11 NIV
Praying for God's light to clear the fog in your heart and mind!
Love,
Kate
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