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.
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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.