Attention and concentration become disrupted as the brain shifts into a hypervigilant state.
The other day, an acquaintance kept getting my name wrong during a phone call. I didn’t notice at first. For the first few times, I simply nodded along as we continued discussing a pitch. It only struck me when she suddenly paused and asked, “Have I been calling you by a different name all this time?”
“I think so. But it’s fine—I barely noticed. I don’t know how,” I replied, a little embarrassed, as one tends to be.
“We’re all in the same state,” she said. “It’s fine. It’s just fog.”
Fog. An invisible kind that quietly clouds the mind, growing thicker as you pore over headlines, follow the news each day, and refresh your feed almost compulsively. And yet, it is a peculiar fog—we continue to function within it. We go to work, complete our tasks, come home, and tick off our to-do lists. It’s only when we pause—staring at a blinking cursor, unable to string together a coherent sentence—that we realise just how deeply it has settled in.
Prolonged exposure to conflict or war-related news can trigger chronic stress in the brain. This stress elevates hormones like cortisol, which can impair memory and focus. At the same time, the brain may remain in a constant state of threat monitoring, reducing the cognitive capacity needed for everyday tasks.
“The focus and attention become fragmented as the brain enters a state of hypervigilance,” says Dr Diana Maatouk, Clinical Psychologist at The Hummingbird Clinic. “Mental fog during times of war can lead to poor concentration, emotionally driven decision-making, and a diminished ability to process information clearly.”
The brain under siege
The words swim before your eyes as you try to absorb every update. You want to pull away from the news, and yet you can’t. You feel compelled to know what’s happening—even as part of you would rather not.
For instance, Abu Dhabi-based Martina, a communications professional, admits—somewhat sheepishly—that she began making the most basic spelling errors in routine tasks, something she had never done before. “I misspelled jewellery and made typos in the word telephone. And I didn’t even notice,” she says.
As Dr Diana Maatouk, Clinical Psychologist at The Hummingbird Clinic, explains, the stress takes a biological toll as well. Prolonged exposure to conflict or war-related news can trigger chronic stress in the brain. “This stress increases hormones like cortisol, which impair memory and focus. The brain may also remain in a constant state of threat monitoring, reducing cognitive capacity for everyday tasks.”
In other words, even if you are far removed from the frontlines, your brain may not fully register that distance. It continues to scan for danger, diverting energy away from routine thinking. At the same time, intense emotions—fear, sadness, anxiety—can disrupt decision-making. “Frequent exposure to distressing news can also disturb sleep, which is essential for mental clarity,” she adds.
The stress response runs deep. As Dr Olivia Pounds, Clinical Psychologist at The Hummingbird Clinic, explains, when the body perceives ongoing danger, it releases stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. Elevated cortisol levels can interfere with the hippocampus—the part of the brain responsible for forming and retrieving memories—making it harder to recall details or process information accurately.
The effects ripple outward. Focus and attention become fragmented as the brain shifts into a state of hypervigilance, constantly scanning for threats. As a result, it becomes difficult to concentrate on routine tasks or filter out distractions.
At the same time, the prefrontal cortex—the region responsible for logical thinking and decision-making—becomes less active. The brain prioritises immediate threats, causing attention to drift away from other aspects of daily life.
The result is a mind that feels both overstimulated and overwhelmed.
A response, not a weakness
One of the most important things to understand about this fog is that it is not a failure. “A common misconception is that brain fog means a person is weak or not coping well,” says Dr Diana Maatouk. “In reality, it is often a normal response to prolonged stress and uncertainty.”
She adds that many people worry something more permanent is at play. “Another misconception is that mental fog indicates lasting cognitive damage, when in many cases it is temporary and improves as stress levels decrease.”
There is also a quiet guilt that often accompanies it—the feeling that you should not be affected at all. “Some people believe that if they are not directly in a war zone, they should not feel mentally impacted. However, constant exposure to distressing news can still affect cognitive functioning,” she explains.
Perhaps most damaging is how easily it is misinterpreted. Brain fog is often mistaken for laziness or a lack of motivation, when the underlying issue is emotional strain or mental fatigue.
Dr Jais Adam Troian, Assistant Professor of Psychology at Heriot-Watt University Dubai, adds another layer of nuance. “War is a complex phenomenon that is experienced differently by individuals. Some may be directly exposed to violence or feel deeply threatened, developing anxiety, depression or PTSD. Others may feel energised by the disruption of routines they once found monotonous, or even a sense of pride in contributing to the defence of their country.”
Research, he notes, reflects this duality. “Wartime places a strain on individuals, increasing the prevalence of mental health issues, but it can also lead to unexpected psychological effects, such as greater tolerance for risk, stronger social cohesion and a heightened sense of community.”
At a biological level, the body’s response remains consistent. When it perceives ongoing danger, it releases stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. Elevated cortisol levels can interfere with the hippocampus—the brain region responsible for forming and retrieving memories—making it harder to recall details or process information accurately.
How judgment gets clouded
Beyond forgetfulness and fatigue, this mental state can subtly shape how we think—and what we believe. “When people experience brain fog due to stress, anxiety and information overload, their ability to think critically can weaken,” says Dr Diana Maatouk.
As cognitive clarity declines, it becomes more difficult to evaluate information accurately or recognise misleading content, leaving individuals more vulnerable to confusion and misinterpretation.
In an environment already saturated with information, that vulnerability becomes significant. People may be more likely to believe—or share—misinformation, particularly when it aligns with their fears or emotional state.
Emotions, too, begin to take the lead. In heightened states of fear, anxiety or uncertainty, reactions can become more impulsive. “Instead of carefully analysing information, people may respond emotionally to dramatic headlines or unverified reports,” says Dr Diana Maatouk.
Dr Jais Adam Troian echoes this, pointing to the broader psychological landscape shaped by uncertainty. “The sense of threat and unpredictability inherent in war can make people more vulnerable to misinformation and conspiracy theories,” he explains.
The slow shift in behaviour
You may not notice the changes immediately. But over time, stress begins to subtly reshape behaviour.
Perhaps most surprising is how it alters our perception of risk. “People exposed to wartime violence tend to develop a higher tolerance for risk. Contrary to what we might intuitively expect, they may begin making less conservative or ‘safe’ decisions across different areas of life,” adds Dr Jais Adam Troian.
While that may sound liberating, it comes with a caution. “This increased appetite for risk can, over time, become a vulnerability—raising the likelihood of addiction, gambling, or other forms of high-risk behaviour.”
Finding clarity again
If the fog is real, so are the ways to gently move through it.
Dr Diana Maatouk emphasises the importance of small, consistent habits that help the brain reset:
- Limit news consumption: Reducing the constant intake of updates helps prevent information overload and eases stress on the brain.
- Prioritise good sleep: Quality rest supports memory, focus, and overall cognitive function.
- Practice mindfulness or deep breathing: These techniques calm the mind, improve concentration, and help manage emotional reactivity.
- Engage in regular physical activity: Exercise reduces stress and enhances cognitive performance, keeping the brain sharper.
- Maintain a structured daily routine: Consistent routines provide stability, especially during uncertain times.
- Take breaks from screens and news: Stepping away allows the brain to rest, reset, and process information more effectively.
- Connect with friends and family: Social interaction can ease emotional strain and support mental well-being.
- Engage in relaxing activities: Hobbies, reading, or other leisure activities help reduce mental fatigue and restore focus.
Dr Diana Maatouk adds that grounding techniques can be especially effective in moments when the mind feels overwhelmed:
- Deep breathing (4–4–6 method): This technique helps calm the nervous system and reduce stress that contributes to mental fog.
- 5–4–3–2–1 Grounding technique: By focusing on your senses—what you can see, feel, hear, smell, and taste—you bring attention back to the present moment and reduce anxiety and cognitive overload.
- Body scan meditation: This practice helps release stress stored in the body, promoting relaxation and mental clarity.
- Mindful walking: Paying attention to your breathing, footsteps, and surroundings can help anchor the mind.
- Journaling: Writing down thoughts can organise mental clutter and improve clarity.
Even a few minutes a day can make a difference. “Practising these exercises regularly helps reduce stress, improve emotional regulation, and restore mental clarity during periods of ongoing conflict,” says Dr Diana Maatouk.
Wartime stress also appears to influence decision-making. People may become less inhibited and slightly more impulsive. Research using behavioural experiments shows that, overall, exposure to wartime violence can increase tolerance for risk. Contrary to what we might intuitively expect, those affected by war may develop a habit of making less conservative, or “safe,” decisions across different areas of life, notes Dr Jais Adam Troian, Assistant Professor of Psychology at Heriot-Watt University Dubai.
The basics that matter most
In times of crisis, the simplest habits often become the most essential.
“Maintaining a consistent daily routine provides stability and helps the brain manage stress more effectively,” says Dr Diana Maatouk. “Quality sleep restores cognitive functions such as memory, focus, and emotional regulation, while balanced nutrition supplies the brain with the energy it needs to think clearly.”
Dr Jais Adam Troian reinforces the point. “In wartime as in peacetime, the lifestyle factors that protect your mental health are well known: physical activity and sleep are key.” He adds a measured perspective on diet: “There is no good evidence that specific foods you eat—or avoid—can prevent depression, anxiety, or PTSD.”
The fog, in truth, is a sign: a mind attempting to process more than it was designed to hold, while still showing up for daily life.
And perhaps the most reassuring part is this: just as it settles in, it can lift in the same way—through small pauses, thoughtful boundaries, and the steady, repeated act of returning to the present moment.
