Brain injuries can happen to anyone. They are as unfortunate as the common but serious whiplash. There are many reasons that might lead to a person suffering from brain injuries. Automobile accidents and sports injuries are some of the leading causes of brain injuries.
Now we all know and understand that it is crucial for the victim to seek immediate medical attention. A brain injury is not something that you would want to leave on its own.
Medical professionals can understand the severity and scope of your injury. They will thoroughly examine your injury, compare it with your existing/past medical conditions and devise a treatment plan for your quick and efficient recovery.
Recovery After a Brain Injury
Most injuries associated with the brain might lead to personality-altering consequences. There is no saying how it can affect you. Many people might feel okay and completely normal but, the results are far from this.
However, by making sound and effective lifestyle choices, it is possible for you to speed up your recovery and feel a lot better. After research and discussion with patients with brain injury, we have compiled some constructive methods to add to your lifestyle.
1) Take Lots of Rest
Your brain is suffering from a serious blow. You must understand that the best thing you can give it is rest. Well, not just mental rest but physical rest as well. If you are taking treatment and your doctor has advised you to rest, don’t hesitate in taking naps whenever you feel like it.
Shutting down your brain for several hours a day can give you the energy to comprehend the trauma and release stress. 8 hours is a standard sleeping time, but you can sleep more if you are feeling like it. Initially, your doctor might prescribe sleeping pills to put your mind at rest.
2) Take Multiple Breaks
Your mind is not the only one going through issues. You need to give your body rest as well. Physical sickness, weariness, tiredness are all common issues that people suffer after a traumatic brain injury. Try to avoid difficult tasks like lifting heavier objects.
Now, many people might also have to go through treatment for peripheral neuropathy because brain injuries can result in nerve damage. Your muscle-to-brain connection will get a little week. So, instead of pushing yourself and beating yourself up about how you are unable to perform day-to-day tasks, try breaking your task list and accomplish the simplest things. Seek help for the tougher tasks.
3) Socialize with People!
Many people feel isolated and lonely after being in an accident. While your feelings are genuine, there is no reason to feel left out. You are not an oddball if something unfortunate has come your way. It just means that you have a rough patch.
As a matter of fact, scientific research explains that people who have been in an accident feel much better after they share their feelings and experience with someone they rely upon.
Talk to your friends and family or whoever you are comfortable with about how you have been feeling and they will provide you with the shoulder you have been seeking. It might sound surprising but people who have emotional support in their life tend to recover faster from injuries and trauma.
4) Understand Your Injury
There are different types of brain injuries. Some of them are not that bad and do not require a lot of treatment time. On the other hand, there are more complicated injuries that might cause you to seek treatment for peripheral neuropathy and a lifetime of medications to function properly.
Make sure that you are taking your injury very seriously. Talk to your doctor about the extent of the injury and how complicated it can get. You can get your doctor to have a one-on-one session with you where he only answers your questions related to the injury.
Yes, this is possible, and many doctors give appointments to their patients for a detailed Q&A session. Whatever questions you have in mind, pen them down and ask them in your next session.
As a matter of fact, many doctors like patients who take their injury seriously and are willing to educate themselves on self-care and other aspects of recovery.
5) Add Activity to Your Routine
Exercise is your best friend even if you have a brain injury. You can add exercise to your routine to stay active. By exercise, we certainly do not mean that you must go for serious HIIT routines or a sweaty cardio session with your beefy gym instructor.
It simply means that you should add a low-impact session like walking in your daily routine. Simply lying down all day will reduce the oxygen flow and blood circulation in your body. This can increase the recovery period instead of reducing it.
If you can, hiring a physical therapist will understand the complexity of your injury and make a customized workout session for you. However, you need to have your doctors’ approval as well.
6) Work Towards Wellness
Regardless of the severity of your injury, you need to make sure that the process you are following is healthy and a suitable attempt for you to recover.
Take all your medicines on time and make sure to have some extra pills in the caddy. Drink plenty of water. We all know that our brain is mostly water. You need to remain hydrated so that the brain cells are getting enough fluids to reform and repair.
Your diet also has a direct influence on recovery, therefore, avoid junk foods and processed sugary items. opt for food choices that will help you heal while making you feel active and healthier.
Conclusion
As unfortunate as it sounds, brain injuries are real. People might suffer from brain injuries due to an accident. For a complete and faster recovery, it is important to incorporate healthily yet recovery boosting lifestyle choices in your daily life. From hydration to health analysis, everything plays a key role in the recovery process.