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What are brain breaks and should I be taking them for TBI recovery?
Brain breaks are short mental and physical rest breaks taken throughout the day to avoid onset or worsening of symptoms (like headaches, irritability, and vision problems) and improve efficiency and endurance. A 5 minute walk or standing break away from the computer or reading at the first sign of feeling tired, overwhelmed, or restless can do a world of wonders. Taking it further, we find scheduling mini brain breaks throughout the day and taking them even if you're feeling okay to be better yet.
When do you intentionally take breaks and pace yourself? What happens if you don't?
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I try to remember to take small breaks before I get too tired. For me, they consist of just closing my eyes and trying to empty my mind for about 10 minutes. Unfortunately, work pressures often dictate when and how often I can do this. I try to remind myself I will be more productive overall if I don't let myself get too tired.
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1 Reaction@frontrunner, I've been using the guided mindfulness meditations on my Fitbit to remind me to take at least one break during the work day. Some of them are 2 minutes, 5 minutes, 10 minutes or longer. I use the 2, 5 and 10 minute versions most frequently. Since I work from home, I'm able to lie down on the floor and really step away and clear my mind. Do you use guided meditations or simply empty your thoughts silently?
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1 ReactionI have found, over the years, that I can't "empty" my mind. I have to do something less strenuous during my breaks to keep my mind from going back to the day's issues. Sudoku is a good one for me. Often when I start to play, I wake up a bit later very refreshed(the joys of retirement).I have started 'word' games to try to recover my ability to come up with the right word when I am talking to someone. It's slowly getting better. Sometimes I surprise myself.
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2 ReactionsI take breaks like this throughout the day. I often do a little Tai Chi or Chi Gung or I use exercise bands to help with things like nerve flossing for the neck (look it up -- I don't want to repost anything here). Given the topic of this group, I should add that I don't think I have TBI at the moment, though about 40 years ago I went over the handlebars of my motorcycle when I was young and stupidly not wearing a helmet. I took an Aikido forward roll out of it and walked away with little more than a concussion and some road rash.
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1 ReactionI have found that if I don’t do this at least 3 times a day, my anger or depression gets too much control. If I wake up with anger (which happens every couple of weeks) I immediately stop - lay on my bed - and shut my mind down by repeating a short prayer over and over. That’s the same thing I do on my regular daily brain breaks (or admittedly sitting in a comfortable chair in a quiet room).
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1 ReactionBrain injury recovery is akin to athletics, rest is imperative to let muscles grow and heal and the brain is a muscle, no different!
Craig