Rehabilitation and Wellness

An accident or change in health status can be a very jarring event in one’s life. Daily routines can change quite rapidly, and there is often concern of lost independence and sense of self.

Individuals who are able to receive medical and therapeutic intervention following an accident or change in health status may dwell on many different thoughts..

• When will I walk, talk, and care for myself like I used to? 
• Will I be able to take care of my family?
• Can I drive?
• Will I be able to return to work?
• When will I get back to normal?

Therapy soon after hospitalization helps directly and indirectly address many of these concerns, but underlying the process of recovery is improving one’s overall wellness.
So, what is wellness? 

The Global Wellness Institute defines the concept as “...the active pursuit of activities, choices and lifestyles that lead to a state of holistic health”. There are two important points to this definition. One is that wellness requires action - intentional choices that are made to support gains in health. The other point is that wellness is holistic - it encompasses many different factors, not just your physical health. 

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In fact, wellness consists of a minimum of 6 different dimensions, including:

• Physical: Nourishing a healthy body through exercise, nutrition, sleep, etc.
• Mental: Engaging the world through learning, problem-solving, creativity, etc.
• Emotional: Being aware of, accepting and expressing our feelings, and understanding the feelings of others.
• Spiritual: Searching for meaning and higher purpose in human existence.
• Social: Connecting and engaging with others and our communities in meaningful ways.
• Environmental: Fostering positive interrelationships between planetary health and human actions, choices and well being.

Thus, addressing one’s wellness has many different pathways which can influence overall lifestyle. Given the need for significant lifestyle changes along the road to rehabilitation after diagnosis of a stroke, traumatic brain injury, or other acquired neurological conditions, incorporating wellness management into a therapeutic routine can improve how you feel, think, move, and interact in day-to-day routines. 

Here are some considerations to keep in mind as you start to build a wellness regimen:

• Know your risk factors to prevent repeat hospitalizations and medical intervention.​ Factors such as age, gender, family history, race/ethnicity, environmental exposure, and traumatic events have the potential to change how your body functions given certain conditions. Sometimes the cause of a condition can be unknown. Being knowledgeable about risk factors and causes of health conditions such as stroke, traumatic brain injury, or brain cancer can help you be informed and take what preventative action you can. Speaking to a medical professional can further guide you if specific treatment or referrals are warranted. 
• Be your biggest advocate. In its purest form, self-advocacy is the ability to communicate your needs. This could range from asking someone on the phone to repeat themselves and slow down if you now have trouble taking in large amounts of information at once; to going into your next medical appointment with prepared questions for your doctor. Although there will be friends, family members, community members, and professionals who are attuned to your needs, don’t assume that everyone will be. Having a strong knowledge of your needs and rights as an individual, and being able to relay such information to others is key to obtaining access to the resources you need to thrive (no matter how big or small).
• Make informed decisions about how to maintain your wellness. Are you choosing healthy foods and drinks? Are you staying mentally stimulated? Are you incorporating movement into your day? Are you expressing your needs and emotions in a healthy manner? Are you engaged in meaningful connections - religiously, socially, or within your immediate environment? A significant part of actively pursuing wellness is determining if the choices you are making are serving you in a positive manner. Are your decisions helping you progress through your recovery or are you in the same rut day in and day out? 

I challenge you to pick one dimension of wellness to focus on this month. Think about your baseline (where you are starting), your goal (where you want to end), and practical steps (what it will take to get from your baseline to your goal). How will you manage your wellness? 

References:

Cancer.Net: Brain Tumor Risk Factors

Effect of Exercise Training or Complex Mental and Social Activities on Cognitive Function in Adults With Chronic Stroke

How Exercise Protects Your Brain’s Health

Improved Cognitive Performance Following Aerobic Exercise Training in People with Traumatic Brain Injury

Mayo Clinic: Traumatic Brain Injury

Physical Activity and Exercise Recommendations for Stroke Survivor

Stroke Association: Getting active after a stroke

Stroke Association: Healthy eating and stroke

Stroke Association: How to reduce your risk of stroke guide

The benefits of exercise for outcome improvement following traumatic brain injury: Evidence, pitfalls and future perspectives

The Eight Dimensions of Wellness

The Global Wellness Institute: What is Wellness?

The Potential Role of Exercise in Neuro-Oncology

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