As someone who has lived through a stroke or brain injury, I know the emotional ups and downs that come with a diagnosis like this. From the initial shock of having a stroke or brain injury to the progress points and beyond, I’m here to share my story and how I was able to deal with the emotional challenges. In today’s blog, I’ll talk about how people who have had a stroke or brain injury can take care of their emotional health, as well as the tools and resources I’ve used to get to a better state of health and wellness. I’ll talk about the steps I took and how I made progress along the way, so stay tuned and get ready to come along for the ride.
Why is it important for stroke or brain injury survivors to manage their emotional health?
It is important for people who have had a stroke or brain injury to take care of their emotional health because emotional distress can have a big effect on their overall recovery. When people are dealing with the aftermath of a stroke or brain injury, it can be hard for them to control their emotions because they are often overwhelmed by feelings of sadness, anger, fear, and confusion. If these feelings aren’t handled in a healthy way, it can slow down the person’s physical recovery and keep them stuck in a cycle of bad feelings. Taking care of emotional health is also important for people who have had a stroke or brain injury because it can give them the emotional support they need to deal with the psychological and social effects. Many survivors may feel alone because of their disability. Taking care of their emotional health can help them develop positive ways to deal with their feelings and make meaningful connections with the people around them. With the help of family, friends, and medical professionals, people who have had a stroke or brain injury can find ways to take care of their emotional health. This will help them recover in a more positive way.
The Three Main Phases of the Emotional Rollercoaster:
1. Valley: Initial shock, anxiety, and fear of the unknown.
2. High: Progress points and successes in therapies.
3. Back to the Valley: Realizing it’s going to take longer than expected to recover.
1. Valley: Initial shock, anxiety, and fear of the unknown.
When someone has a stroke or a brain injury, the first few days can be very hard emotionally. It can be a shock to the body and the system, as well as to the family and the people who take care of the person. It’s a sudden change in your life, and it might be hard to stay positive. But there are things that can be done to make the ride go more smoothly. One of the first things to do is to get enough sleep, which is good for your brain. Also, it might be helpful to pay attention to the diet, since the medical center will tell you what to eat. Lastly, breathing exercises can be helpful because breathing through the nose can improve blood flow and overall health. Even if you have to use a wheelchair, taking the time to do these exercises can help. All of these things can help make the ride a little more comfortable.
Along with the steps above, it can be helpful to give yourself time to deal with the feelings that come with the journey. People who live in the valley may feel a lot of fear, sadness, and loneliness. It’s important to give yourself time to feel these feelings and then give yourself time to move on. Talking to a therapist or counselor might help you sort out your feelings and be better prepared to move on. You might also find it helpful to talk to people who have been where you are and are further along their journey. Hearing their stories, tips, and advice can be empowering and give you hope and a better understanding of what they are going through. Overall, life in the valley can be hard, but there are ways to make it a little bit better. It’s important to give yourself time to deal with the feelings that come with the journey and then to take care of yourself by getting enough sleep, eating well, and doing breathing exercises. Lastly, talking to people who have been through similar things can be a great way to get support and understanding.
2. High: Progress points and successes in therapies.
Progress and therapy successes can be seen as high points on the emotional roller coaster that is a stroke or brain injury. After the initial shock and fear of the situation, the person will start to feel more comfortable with the therapies and treatments. Physical, occupational, and speech therapy are just some of the types of therapy that can be done. Each session is a chance for the person to make progress on their path to recovery and start to see how they can get better over time. This can be both a physical and an emotional change. It’s important to remember the good things that happened and the progress that was made during the sessions. This can give you motivation and hope. It’s also important to know that you might not see progress right away. It can be a slow process, so you need to be patient and take things one step at a time. Investing in activities like nose breathing, reading, and other exercises that can help the person stay active and motivated during their recovery journey is also a good idea.
The person’s network of friends and family is also an important part of their recovery. Family and friends can help with physical, emotional, and moral support to make sure the person feels supported and encouraged as they work on their recovery. It’s important to make a good environment and encourage the person to keep going until they reach their goals. It’s also important to remember that therapy successes and progress points are not meant to be a way to measure success or accomplishment. It is a chance to show appreciation for the person’s hard work and dedication and to celebrate the progress they have made. Every success, no matter how small, is a step in the right direction toward getting better, and each one should be celebrated. Anyone can make progress on their path to recovery with the right mix of therapies and a supportive environment.
3. Back to the Valley: Realizing it’s going to take longer than expected to recover.
In the third step of a stroke or brain injury’s emotional roller coaster, it’s important to realize that recovery will take longer than expected. Coming to terms with this can be hard, so it’s important to get emotional help from family, friends, and professionals. It’s also important to pay attention to sleep, diet, and other ways to stay active if your mobility is limited. Nasal breathing is a good idea because it can help your health in many ways. Patrick McGowan, who wrote the books Breathing Cure, Oxygen Advantage, and Atomic Focus, is a great person to learn more about nasal breathing from. Using the resources that are available and keeping a positive attitude can help the healing process go more smoothly.
It’s also important to give yourself time and space to process the idea of a longer recovery time. There is no need to rush the process, and it is okay to grieve what you were expecting before the stroke or brain injury happened. Take care of yourself and treat yourself with kindness. Give yourself breaks and time to rest when you need to. Also, it’s important to find ways to keep in touch with the people and things that make you happy. Getting in touch with loved ones in person, online, or through writing can be very comforting. Listening to music, playing video games, or reading can make recovery more fun. A stroke or brain injury can cause a lot of problems, but it’s important to remember that recovery is possible.
When you’re recovering from a stroke or brain injury, your emotions can be all over the place. From the initial shock and fear of the unknown to the progress and successes in therapy to the realization that recovery will take longer than expected, emotional health needs to be taken care of for a positive recovery experience. Keeping track of sleep, diet, nasal breathing exercises, and other activities can help a person manage their emotional health and stay active and motivated on their road to recovery. With the right tools and a positive mindset, you can make progress and reach your best health and wellness. So take a deep breath and take the first step toward getting better. You can do it!
I’d love to hear how your journey to get back to optimal health and wellness has gone. Leave me a comment on how it went for you or drop any questions you want me to answer!
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