Brain Fog Diaries – 3rd Edition

Welcome to another edition of the Brain Fog Diaries — Edition #3.  I actually had to look that up because I forgot whether this was the 3rd or 4th edition. LOL. Hence the title… brain fog.  Oh yes, welcome to those golden years of forgotten plans, second-guessed steps, sluggish metabolism, and becoming your family’s personal human furnace – if only there was a human air conditioning setting for the summer.

In case you missed the previous two editions (which, quite frankly in my opinion, are important must-reads), the cliff notes version is as follows: if you are in your 50’s; welcome to a whole new world of change. Your memory seems to be gift wrapped and shipped off to no man’s land, your hormones are completely out of whack, your sleep feels like a series of a million cat naps, and no matter how much you exercise, that cortisol belly seems determined to keep expanding.

Click the icons below to read Brain Fog Diaries #1 and Brain Fog Diaries #2.

Many of us ‘Golden Girls‘ have sat down, defeated and exhausted, wondering what the heck happened to us? I know for myself, there have been so many days where I just seem to be gliding through the motions in a complete daze and if anyone dared to ask why I may not seem like myself — well… look out. Sweet Christine suddenly turns into Killer Christine — like something straight out of a Stephen King novel. (I know, I know… ‘Christine‘ was technically a car, but I think you get the point.)

After much research, reading, Googling, chatgpting, and probably more times than none… overthinking, I discovered that the supplements I had been taking for years were just not doing the job anymore. I needed to start supporting my body differently. My body was changing, and I needed to change with it.

The shape of me… different.
My mood and general persona… different.
The hormone balance within me… different.

With those differences came the realization that I needed to keep up with the changes or I just might rip someone’s head off. (Only joking… slightly.)

I am over 50, but not quite 55 just yet, and after making some adjustments and reworking my supplements, I can honestly say that after about 5–6 months, I have started noticing a real difference. I feel less foggy-brained, more clear, and my moods seem much more stable. I didn’t officially interview my husband or family for confirmation on that last point, but considering I no longer find them hiding in corners of the house from me, I’m going to take that as a positive sign.

So… What Am I Taking?

• Vitamin D3 – for bone health as well as immune support, emotional stability, and energy.
• Vitamin C – a great antioxidant, collagen and skin support, immune support, and brain health.
• Acidophilus – for gut and ‘female’ body part health helping with bloating and yeast infections.
• Ashwagandha – the game changer for me! Costisol and stress support, as well as moods and anxiety.
• Zinc – great for immune support, as well as skin, nails, and hair.
• Vitamin B Complex – for energy and fatigue, brain fog, mood and stress support.
• Omega 3 – for brain fog and cognitive support, joint pain/inflammation, and heart health.
• Magnesium Glycinate – essential for sleep support as it calms the nerves and helps with hot flashes.

Sidenote: These are simply the supplements that are personally working for me. I also have an extensive health background, along with family members in the health field, so I do understand the research I am reading and applying. However, if you are unsure about supplements or possible reactions, please consult your health care provider — preferably a natural-based one — with any questions or concerns.

One thing I have learned is that supplements are not an overnight miracle. It can take roughly 3+ months to really notice a difference or change once you begin consistently taking them, so don’t give up after the first week if you are not suddenly skipping through fields of daisies feeling rejuvenated, refreshed or back to remembering every detail like you’re 30 again.

On that note, I now notice that if I forget to take my magnesium before bed, I genuinely do not sleep as well. This has become a regular comedic event in our household at least once a week. I perform my dramatic “I didn’t sleep well… I forgot to take my magnesium” speech, while my family tries very hard to sympathize with me while simultaneously trying not to laugh.

Two other supplements I really should be taking (and am currently procrastinating on) are creatine and a protein supplement shake. Both are excellent for muscle maintenance, energy, metabolism, recovery, and overall strength as we age. Apparently, menopause would really prefer us women turning into fragile little old ladies, but I am determined not to!

All in all, this combination of natural supplements has helped me feel more like myself again — or perhaps has helped me adjust to this newer version of myself.

My stamina is better — I am not dragging myself through the day quite as much.
My mood feels steadier — I believe I’m less of an emotional battlefield, and more emotional balanced.
My sleep is deeper — I am dreaming again which tells me my body is finally reaching proper REM sleep.
My memory feels sharper — I still write lists, but the forgetfulness no longer feels quite so consuming.

Am I completely back to the “old me”? No.

But maybe this season of life is not about going backwards – trying to be who I once was. Maybe it is about learning how to move forward differently — with a little more grace, a little more patience, and perhaps a few extra supplements set out beside my morning coffee and avocado toast.

Which, in a perfect brain fog moment, I completely forgot to mention…

I also eliminated caffeine!

Yes, you read that correctly. Decaf coffee and tea for me going forward. Ironically, caffeine can increase cortisol levels — which, as you may recall from my previous Brain Fog Diaries, this can make you feel just a tiny bit crazy.

So, since Christmas, aside from my essential dark chocolate Lindt pieces and the occasional half-caff Nespresso (which if I’m honest I believe I have only had a few), there has been virtually zero caffeine running through my veins.

So… at the end of the day, I still feel like me.

Only now… just slightly warmer (in body temperature that is), slightly more forgetful, slightly more supplement-dependent (I now have one of those days of the week pill dispensers) … and apparently now decaffeinated.  So, if you happen to see me wandering around the store with my cart full of supplements, protein powder and creatine (that I still have not yet started taking), enough dark Lindt chocolate to last a month, decaf coffee, and my nighttime magnesium bottle.. just know I am doing my best to survive this season with the braincells I have left. 

And honestly, if that is what it takes to keep killer Christine from making too many surprise appearances, then I would say that’s an accomplishment and I’ll celebrate with a savory Lindt chocolate.