So many people ask to know what they can do to get better from a concussion. This is a good question, and there are in fact many, many things that can be done to improve symptoms and heal the brain.
However, one key element that I want to make sure people are aware of is that Rest/Recovery time is essential. Now, don’t get me wrong – I am NOT saying to go hide in a dark room with earplugs in for months at a time. Movement, exposure to sensory stimulation, etc., is key to healing…but the right kind of movement and the right doses of sensory stimulation are important.
And giving your brain time to rest and recover from the activities that overwhelm it is vital. Sometimes, the “not doing” is just as important as the doing — rest creates space for the things you are doing for recovery to take hold and make a positive difference.
A good rule of thumb for knowing when to take a rest break is that if you notice your symptoms are going up more than 2 points on a 10 point scale, you should pause what you’re doing and take a rest. This could look like a 5 minute calming walk, or closing your eyes and putting your palms over your eyes gently until the light fades out completely, or listening to brainwaves for 10 min. It could look like going to a dark room with earplugs on if that’s what is needed.
Tuning in to your body and taking the breaks when needed is key to recovery. So for my overachieving friends who tend to push themselves past their breaking point, please, know that taking care of your body and brain in this way will make it so that you CAN push yourself longer in the future. 😉
Take those rest breaks. You’ve got this.