Clearing Brain Fog - Quick Fixes

Here are more ways to fight fatigue while you're working. These are specifically physical:

• Give your brain a shot of oxygen with deep breathing. You can learn a number of breathing exercises in a yoga class or on a DVD. One I've found to be effective: inhale deeply enough to fill up your lungs, hold for a count of 10 and exhale.
• Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, bend forward from the waist, and let your upper body dangle. This circulates more blood to your brain.
• If you can get away for a few minutes, take a fast walk around the block or parking lot. Sometimes merely getting outside will snap you back to consciousness.
• Aromatherapy works for me every time. If you work in a scent-free environment and can't wear anything scented, take a small bottle of peppermint, lemon or rosemary essential oil (most stores with organic sections sell the Acacia brand, including Fred Meyer), uncap and sniff. Two years ago I bought an aromatherapy inhaler (it looks like a Vick's inhaler) at New Seasons - the blend contains eucalyptus & mint, and still has a strong aroma even after years of regular use.
  
• If you drank your last cup of coffee more than four hours ago, a small one now might work. If you've been guzzling it all day, it won't. Try mint tea instead.

If you've been on your feet all day and it isn't only your brain that's tired, try these:

• If you work in a building with a decent-sized staff room, you can bring a yoga mat (even an old blanket will work), spread it out on the floor and do sitting/laying yoga poses. These three are especially helpful for cranky lower backs: knee stirs (lie on your back, hug both knees to your chest and "stir" them in small circles), the Bridge (lie on your back, bend knees to a right angle with feet on the floor, and raise your hips), and the Star (lie on your back, cross your right leg over to your left side and let it rest there. Then cross your left leg over to your right side).
• If your staff room won't allow getting on the floor, find two chairs. Sit on one, put both feet on the other so that your legs are completely straightened, and hang forward from the waist. Another lower-back easer: sit cross-legged on the chair and bend forward, feeling the stretch.
  
• If you can lie on the floor, try tennis ball acupressure. Place a ball under the part of your back that feels tight, and lower yourself on top of it.
  
• And to get through the rest of your shift, use a peel & stick heating pad, available at most stores like Walgreens.

If you work in a physically active job where you're "on the floor" most of the day, I recommend that you start incorporating yoga into your daily routine, whether you already work out or not. After as little as a month, I bet you'll notice a difference in how you feel at the end of the day.