Hi friends!
In last week’s episode of The Concussion Coach Podcast, my fabulous Uncle Don (who is a sleep doctor) shared, along with LOTS of other really helpful and fascinating information about sleep and concussions, that one of THE best things you can do for sleep is … drumroll please … Exercise!
This probably isn’t super surprising to most of you, and it may even be frustrating, because exercise intolerance is definitely a concern that people with PCS deal with.
But I want to offer that ‘exercise’ doesn’t have to look one specific way. Start where you are, and gradually increase movement throughout your days.
Set a timer and get up from your computer to go get a drink of water. Take the dog on a walk. Race your toddler to the next tree. Park a little farther away from the entrance of the building you’re going to. Take the stairs.
And don’t beat yourself up if you’re not even able to get off the couch because symptoms are flaring so much. If that’s the case and you’re up for it, then maybe just try flexing your foot up and down a few times or even just visualize your body moving.
Give yourself grace, understand that some is better than none, and start adding things in that will get you moving, and eventually get you moving to the point where you can do more intense cardio exercises.
And if you have the chance to work with a trained therapist who can guide you through increasing your exercise tolerance, take advantage of that!
Definitely check out the conversation with Dr. Don Watenpaugh – he shares so much quality, well-researched information. And if you have any questions you want me to ask him in my next conversation with him, let me know!
Cheers!
Bethany Lewis, OTR/L
The Concussion Coach