What helps with a cloudy head?

[ZOO7]

Another day with a cloudy head, ugh. What helps? I’ve tried a bit of small exercises, took some Motrin, went outside a bit. Took a b complex vitamin. Ugh…..

[Agora1]

Hi Z007, a cloudy head can happen with Anxiety & Stress. We tend to breathe

differently when anxious which can cause hyperventilation. Mouth breathing doesn't

allow us to inhale enough oxygen causing that cloudy feeling. Also, dehydration plays

a big part of that unwanted feeling in our head. We need to be well hydrated in order

for our blood to flow freely throughout our body.

Sometimes, allergies can be the cause. It is always best to seek your doctor's advice

if symptoms are new or continue.

Maybe you might want to try drinking water and finding some quality "me time".

Meditation can quiet both the mind and body putting it in a better state. Feel better xx

[ZOO7 in reply to Agora1]

Thank you. Probably anxiety playing a role here. 🙏

[Agora1 in reply to ZOO7]

Z007 even when we don't realize it, anxiety can sneak in. Feel better soon xx

[ZOO7 in reply to Agora1]

Thanks. It sure can. 🙏❤️

[DropOfSunshine]

Maybe a cold shower can help?

[ZOO7 in reply to DropOfSunshine]

I will give it a try! Thanks for the suggestion

[Darkhouse]

Yes, belly breathing is important. When anxiety hits, we tend to hyperventilate, breathing only in our upper chest. In fact, we kinda just breathe that way in the west. Put your hand on your belly, slowly breathe in while you feel your belly expand, breathing into your belly. Hold for a couple of seconds, then slowly breathe out. Repeat several times to fully relax the body. Do this several times throughout the day to teach yourself to belly breathe to really get oxygen into your body where it needs to go. Are you eating and drinking enough? It's important to give your body fuel throughout the day too!! I hope you feel better soon....

[ZOO7 in reply to Darkhouse]

Thank you. I did eat more and drank some water, ginger ale and Gatorade. All seemed to help. I feel a bit better now. Thanks to all of this page’s suggestions and support. I too need to learn to breathe. 🙏🙏❤️❤️Thanks again.

[Baenav]

I wanted to post a comment here; I’m not very good at describing my personal issues and tend to keep them to myself, but the comments and responses from all have been somewhat insightful. May I describe my symptoms? For years now I’ve notice that I never seem to fully be in a world of reality. I drive, I work, I cook, I DIY, but the essence of presence and fully knowing just hasnt been there. When I walk, I see the trees, feel the wind, watch the animals, but it is as if I am a step removed from reality. I describe it as ‘Never quite there’. In truth, I’ve never brought this up with my GP. Addressing this internally, I thought I had learn to accept what is going on in my life; I’m at the final stages of a long and protracted divorce, I have had to find somewhere new to live, and to cap all of this I’m 66 years old and about to retire. Stress? People will look at me (and they do) commenting on how fit I look (I run, walk, exercise, cycle every day), but it’s not what is going on on the outside it’s whats happening within. I have never described my lack of reality as a ‘cloudy head’, but in reading this thread, that’s exactly how I feel. I think it’s time I started taking some advice. I will go to see the GP, and I’ll look at how I can improve my breathing. I probably don’t drink enough, but I will find time to relax more. Thanks for the thread and comments. So hugely appreciated.

[DropOfSunshine in reply to Baenav]

I hope the GP gives you some good suggestions that dont include medication, because it sounds like you are healthy and dont need any. And sometimes doctors are quick to jump to the pills when sometimes the solution is in trying to understand the cause rather than relieve symptoms. Cold water immersion helps me freshen up. Reading a book and really getting into it feels great for the mind. Learning a new instrument. Or maybe trying to understand why you re somehow absent through therapy. Maybe your life circumstances have led you to withdraw emotionally somehow and you feel like you're never truly connected to the present and to others (just a theory). If thats the case therapy, group therapy, books about mental health, can all help.

[Baenav in reply to DropOfSunshine]

thank you for your positive comments - I’ll certainly push for advice rather than meds. The cloudiness is with me today but I’m going to make a plan that includes proper breaks and time away from work and other things that might be causing stress. I don’t think I’m brave enough for cold water immersion…..:-). Thank again

[emmi331 in reply to Baenav]

When I have gone through periods of depression/anxiety, it's seemed that the world is "different". It just doesn't look or feel the way it did before. It's as if everything I knew before has gone slightly askew. I can't explain this, but I think others have experienced it, too.Once I'm through the period of stress and sadness, which can last for several months, the world seems to "right " itself and looks normal again. So I don't think what you are going through is unusual. Hope this helped.

[Figgins42 in reply to emmi331]

I experience it too. It's called derealization and can be very common - but scary - with anxiety and depression. My Psychiatrist confirmed this with me. You know you're home, but it looks "different." I get extremely introspective, to the point I feel I'm going to burst. I don't see enough people or have enough friends. Talking to people helps. But I get the fog and the various brain states our mental illnesses put us through. My wish is for you and everyone else on this board to find peace and happiness.

[misslillie in reply to Figgins42]

This helped me so very much

[Baenav in reply to emmi331]

it has helped thank you. Understanding what is going on is so important, and even more so from people like you who have experienced this. That I’m not alone is critical to me. I’m grateful for your interest

[IceMaiden82 in reply to Baenav]

I think you are describing "Depersonalisation/Derealisation". This seems to only have been recognised and talked about in fairly recent years. It is a typical symptom of anxiety, which I started in my early childhood/teenage years. I still suffer from it, even right now when I have been out for coffee and lunch. People and things seem distanced. I know it only too well.

[ZOO7 in reply to IceMaiden82]

sounds similar I will take a read into it. Anything help you?

[Baenav in reply to ZOO7]

it’s such an odd feeling. I have started taking more breaks and resting more. Exercise is not a problem, so I’m definitely going to try other things that might help.

[IceMaiden82 in reply to ZOO7]

I have over the years been prescribed Fluoxetine. This helps to relax the mind and body, It all depends on what causes the anxiety. A specific event or GAD (generalised anxiety). Many anxiety sufferers have a nervous personality (often in the genes/inherited) and live with it all their lives. I am just glad the Mental Health issues are being talked about now. Years ago it was just "pull yourself together." Good Luck.

[ZOO7 in reply to IceMaiden82]

Yes, glad people are sharing now. Everyone has something to offer.

[Dolphin14]

You have some great replies. You mentioned exercise. Exercise is key to keeping my head clear. I find the focus needed shuts my brain down.

I also like to take moments of silence. I sit and look out the window and just take in the sights and sounds, it makes me zone out.

🐬

[ZOO7 in reply to Dolphin14]

Yes, definitely need more exercise and just sit and relax. Thank you!

[punkster]

To state the obvious, medications used to treat anxiety can cause a "cloudy head" and the feeling that you just aren't there. After years of therapy I was able to go off meds, which helped a lot. Exercise helped get rid of the cloudy feeling when I was on meds (but only temporarily) and it continues to help me control my anxiety now that I'm no longer on meds.

[ZOO7 in reply to punkster]

No meds here just supplements like vitamin b complex. I need more exercise for sure!

[Baenav in reply to punkster]

thank you. I’m not taking any meds at the moment - thankfully, but this is a good heads up. Thank you for your reply.

[Pitalife]

Seems like u could use some better long sleep,I have bad anxiety n pain and I get wore down n cloudy minded after nights of Lil sleep,when I get restored sleep it's like day n night....

[ZOO7 in reply to Pitalife]

very true, when my sleep is off then I’m totally off. Thank you!

[Baenav in reply to Pitalife]

oh gosh, what would I give for a long night’s sleep. I will go to bed at 10PM latest and I’m usually awake at 4 AM. I don’t do anything for an hour before bed and when I wake up my brain isn’t overly active. It is frustrating……

[Pitalife in reply to Baenav]

That be a long sleep for me, I'm every 2 hrs up n stare fall back 2 sleep n same thing all right,arthritis pain n herniated disks in neck n back..no fun..reading is good to tire you n relax..it really has to be a self heal,Dr's won't doit...

[Kinlay]

It really depends on the cause. Have you had a recent med change? A lot of stress and anxiety? Depending on the cause, there can be a variety of possible solutions. And sometimes, the only solution is to say, okay, today is going to be a "down" day and I'll put off the things I need real focus for until tomorrow and today tackle easier, non-thinking tasks today. Overall, I do find that for me, exercise (particularly a walk outdoors or yoga or weight training) can help. You did the outside bit, so I'd try yoga or exercise next. I find a lot of great videos on youtube. Yoga with Adriene is my go-to, and you can search under her for specific yoga routines for anxiety, stress, FOCUS, etc. Hang in there!

[ZOO7 in reply to Kinlay]

Thank you!

[Peacely]

Maybe mediation twice a day.

[ZOO7 in reply to Peacely]

Will give it a try. Thanks!

[Baenav]

it’s utterly odd- I do look forward to the point when I don’t feel like this. I’m hoping that once the divorce is complete then things may go back to normal. Thank you for your support.

[emmi331]

Lovemydoggie, I thought THIS was the anxiety and depression support group! Or have I wandered off into a new place? Lol

[lovemydoggy in reply to emmi331]

Omg! You are correct. I wandered by accident from the RA forum. Sorry

[emmi331 in reply to lovemydoggy]

😁💖

[Baenav]

I’ll look at posing my question there, but to be honest, the comments made here all make sense. Thank you for your offer to PM you.