Sharpen your thinking fast

Feeling a little bit foggy and forgetful lately? According to a British study, 39% of people experience brain fog on a regular basis—and 61% of us lose our train of thought up to 10 times per day. But authors of a report in the journal Frontiers in Human Neuroscience assure that brain fog isn't a sign of mental decline. In fact, it's entirely reversible. We reveal the surprisingly simple tricks to clear cloudy thinking, no matter when it strikes

- Melissa Gotthardt

Sip a protein smoothie

Dairy foods like Greek yogurt and cottage cheese are packed with protein. And in a study published in the Journal of Dairy Science, women who ate a breakfast high in dairy-based protein performed better on tests of morning concentration than those whose breakfasts were high in carbs. Researchers credit amino acids in dairy proteins with boosting levels of brain-perking chemicals such as dopamine and serotonin.

Can't do dairy? Research in Physiology & Behavior confirms that the protein in eggs delivers a morning brain boost too.

Wash your hands