About 800,000 individuals in the US experience a stroke per year, averaging to at least one person falling victim to a stroke every time four minutes pass by.
According to the American Stroke Association, strokes are one of the primary causes of disability and among the top five in leading causes of death in the country. For most survivors, many life-altering conditions come as a result – from changes in the ability to move and speak to bowel functionality and more.
With this being said, if you go through a stroke it doesn’t necessarily define your life as over. With proper care and early treatment, you can reduce the overall damage; in fact, victims can even achieve a full recovery.
If you or someone you care about has had a stroke, BlackDoctor.Org is here to offer six essential steps to encourage you on your road to recovery.
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1. Post-Stroke Safety Precautions
Several factors can affect the rate at which you recover, such as the kind of stroke, how much your brain got injured, the treatment provided, and your personal health background.
After a stroke, you may feel a sense of weakness, paralysis, problems with coordination, numbness, lack of bowel or bladder control, or even struggle with memory issues.
It is imperative to make your humble abode a safer space for you or anyone who visits that may have been impacted by a stroke. Here are some tips worth considering:
- Put on flat shoes, stray away from heels, and any footwear that’s on the narrow or tight-fitted side
- Take advantage of hand railings whenever going upstairs
- Get rid of any loose rugs, carpets, and mats that could cause someone to trip
- Be on top of taking your medicine and stay vigilant for any modifications in your sleep cycle or diet
- Clear out the pathway to your bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen to avoid unnecessary blockages
- If you still notice warning signs like drooping facial muscles, or speech impediments, call 911 right away
2. Know When To Receive Support & Practice Acceptance
If this is your first time being the victim of a stroke and forging the road to recovery, it might be especially tough for you to come to terms with facing this new reality.
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Try your hardest to remain calm and collected, and muster up the mental courage to look at your current circumstances from a fresh lens, but with more hope and optimism.
This is when you want to receive collective support from family and friends the most.
3. Create a Plan for Recovery
Once you have acknowledged the elephant in the room, it’s time to create a concrete recovery plan, which can help speed up the healing process a bit, leading to a better quality of life.
Rehab usually starts within two days following a stroke, and should continue even after you get out of the hospital, until you can function on your own.
If you think agreeing to rehab care in the hospital could affect your depression and dependence, you can request home therapy or outpatient therapy.
RELATED: Chances of Walking after a Stroke: How Long Does it Take?
4. Better Habits for Better Recovery
This is critical throughout the recovery process. You won’t get the results you want without putting the effort into switching up your lifestyle choices. Some must-dos include:
- Fitness – Incorporate any type of physical activity into your day-to-day routine. Rather than going hard in heavy exercise thrice a week, start small with a gentler workout routine. Consistency is the way. Whether you walk, jog, swim, or do yoga, aim to get your body moving.
- Eat Healthy – Eat healthy, wholesome meals regularly and at the right intervals. Have good portions of fruits and vegetables, protein and iron, along with nuts and whole grains.
- Regulate Blood Pressure - Keep your blood pressure in check to minimize the risk of another stroke. Lessen your consumption of salt, and maintain an ideal weight to help keep your blood pressure in check.
- Drink Less Alcohol - Limit your alcohol intake. While quitting is the best route, you can still start slow and decrease the intake at a more gradual pace. The same applies to cigarettes, tobacco, and other drugs.
5. Get Social
As a stroke victim, experiencing any shred of anxiety, depression, self-loathing, self-pity and stress is anticipated, which is all the more reason to not close yourself off from society and grieve in isolation. Treat yourself to festivities and events that build your connection with family, friends, and society.
Sign up for social groups with others who share similar interests and are interested in learning and engaging in experiences and emotions. Remember that no matter what, you are not alone in this journey.
Finding others sharing and empathizing with your struggles can help you bond as well. Getting much-needed social interaction as an integral part of your recovery process can help you heal sooner while enhancing your sense of mobility, memory, speech, and more.
6. Take Initiative
Above all else, don’t forget to stay positive and take your life back into your hands. Don’t let a stroke break your spirit. Do whatever it takes to overcome any negative self-talk regarding post-stroke effects you may have heard of or read, and believe in your ability and power to recover and reclaim your life.
