Please be advised that this article 10 All-Natural Ways to Speed Up Your Concussion Recovery is for general informational purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for advice from a trained medical professional. Be sure to consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you’re seeking medical or mental health advice, diagnoses, or treatment. We are not liable for risks or issues associated with using or acting upon the information on this site.
Speedy concussion recovery is important if you want to get your life back on track ASAP. Read on to find out some of the ways you can speed up your recovery, so you can get back to normal…
If you’ve ever suffered from a concussion, then you’ll know how difficult it can be to go about your life as normal. Brain injuries, like a concussion, can have a significant impact on your day-to-day activities, affecting your ability to work, and enjoy your favourite hobbies.
Not least for the mental health of the patient, getting back to normal is always the end goal, but recovering from a concussion isn’t always easy. There’s only so much advice and medicine the doctor can give, so it’s important that you take every possible step you can to boost your recovery.
For some all-natural home remedies to help you to recover quickly and healthily from a concussion, you came to the right place. Keep reading to learn more about some of the all-natural ways that can speed up the process at home…
What is a Concussion?
Concussions are temporary brain injuries that can be caused by a blow or jolt to the head. Concussions could be the result of a single, direct force, or a more indirect force like whiplash in a car accident. The effects of a concussion can last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks.
People tend to think that you can only be concussed if you lose consciousness after a single impact. Sure, this is a sign of a concussion, but the vast majority of cases don’t involve a loss of consciousness at all.
There are a range of symptoms which could indicate if you’re suffering from a concussion. These include (but are not limited to):
- A loss of consciousness
- An ongoing headache
- Loss of memory or concentration
- Difficulty balancing
- Sensitivity to noise and light
- Dizziness or light-headedness
- Blurry vision
- Unexplained mood changes
How Will a Doctor Diagnose and Treat Concussion?
A doctor will assess your signs and symptoms, as well as your account of how the concussion occurred, so that they can effectively diagnose and treat your condition. This could involve a number of simple questions and tests which will examine your neurological (physical) and cognitive (mental) health. Neurological tests check things like your vision, hearing, balance and reflexes, while cognitive tests assess your memory and concentration.
If the doctor feels as though your symptoms are particularly serious, they may even decide to use imaging tests, which will see if there is any internal bleeding or swelling in the skull. After an imaging test, your doctor may feel it is necessary to keep you in hospital overnight for further observation.
How Long does Concussion Recovery Take?
There is no set recovery period for a concussion, but in most cases, you will likely need at least a week before you are feeling back to normal. Of course, your recovery time will rely on the severity of your concussion, but it can also depend on the way you treat yourself, and the steps you take to recover.
In rare instances, some people can develop what’s known as ‘post-concussion syndrome’. This is where your recovery takes several months or longer and, during this time, you’re likely to continue experiencing some of the symptoms we’ve already discussed. So, how can you avoid this as best as possible?
10 Ways to Speed up Your Concussion Recovery from Home
There are plenty of simple steps you can follow from home to speed up your concussion recovery. These shouldn’t be too tricky to follow, and will be pretty easy to incorporate into your daily routine. So, take these tips into consideration if you want to boost your recovery, and get back to your usual activities ASAP…
1. Take Some Time Away from Work
If you’ve suffered a concussion, the last thing you will want to be thinking about is work, especially if you have a physically demanding job. Concussion recovery can be made all the more difficult if you have to pile on the everyday stress of your working life. Your employer should allow you to have a period of sick leave or, if needed, you can book some holiday to help you properly recover.
2. Prioritise a Regular Sleep Schedule
Everyone knows how important it is to get into the habit of sticking to a regular sleep schedule, but it’s absolutely crucial if you have been concussed. After a concussion, the brain needs even more rest than usual so that it can properly recover. So, make sure you are getting to bed at a reasonable time – even if you’re usually a late-night dweller!
3. Less Screen Time
One of the easiest ways to get better sleep is to reduce your screen time. Yes, that is often easier said than done – you’re already reading this on a screen after all – but there are small steps you can take which will go a long way. Stop using your phone well before you go to sleep, consider reading a book instead of looking at a laptop or TV, or even pass the time by going for a gentle walk.
4. Avoid Strenuous Exercise
On that note, you should avoid any unnecessary head movements when you’re exercising, which rules out any high intensity activities such as running or cycling. Unfortunately, concussion recovery isn’t the most exciting process in the world, but it’s important you take it seriously. If you don’t, it may be a case of one step forward, two steps backward.
5. Natural Supplements and Ways to Speed Up Your Concussion Recovery
Natural supplements can be a great way of helping you to recover from a concussion. There are a number of different supplements you can incorporate into your daily routine which have anti-inflammatory properties to help treat traumatic brain injuries.
Better still, you won’t have to look too hard to find some. Supplements like omega-3 and vitamin C tablets can be picked up at your local supermarket. They won’t leave a hole in your pocket, either!
6. Stay Hydrated to Speed Up Your Concussion Recovery
It’s much more dangerous than you might think to be dehydrated. In fact, studies have shown that dehydration may increase your chances of suffering a concussion in the first place.
Drinking plenty of water is important for your health anyway, but it’s even more important to keep on top of it while you recover from being concussed. There’s nothing wrong with a little more water, just to be safe, right and it will speed up your concussion recovery.
7. Limit Your Exposure to Bright Lights and Loud Sounds
After a concussion, it’s common for you to feel sensitive to bright, glaring lights and loud sounds. So, it’s a good idea to limit any potential exposure to these, which will include relying on natural light in your home, and avoiding using anything like headphones or speakers.
This doesn’t mean you should lock yourself away in a dark room avoid all possible stimuli though. This will have the opposite effect while you are trying to recover, so make sure you are enjoying a healthy dose of sunshine where you can.
8. Maintain a Healthy Diet to Ways to Speed Up Your Concussion Recovery
A healthy diet can go a long way in helping you fully recover. If you pack your diet with food rich in protein, omega-3s and antioxidants, you’ll be giving your brain the natural fuel it needs to be firing on all cylinders.
You’ll be helping to improve your cognition and overall neural functioning – as well as feeling the overall benefits of a balanced diet and it will speed up your concussion recovery. Plus, the wide range of foods that have these benefits are suited to any dietary requirements – meat lovers and veggies alike!
9. Stay Patient
Anyone embarking on concussion recovery will need to stay patient. There’s next to no chance that you will miraculously be feeling better after a few days. Really, it’s going to take a long time before you are feeling 100 percent again.
That might be a difficult prospect to deal with but, if you are to recover, it’s important that you stay patient and follow all the other tips in this list. Only then will you be able to get back to your everyday life quicker.
10. Follow Your Doctor’s Instructions to Speed Up Your Concussion Recovery
Finally – the most important tip – listen to your doctor! While these tips will certainly aid your recovery, you should always listen to the advice your doctor gives you over everything else.
After all, they are medical professionals with years of experience. They ultimately know what’s best for your concussion recovery, so listen and follow as best as you can.
Are You Recovering from a Concussion?
And that’s your lot! Hopefully these tips have given you a better idea about the ways you can support your recovery from concussion. It’s by no means an easy process, but these pointers should help you along the way.
If you’ve suffered a concussion, or have any tips to help the recovery process, why not leave a comment below? We’d love to hear how you sped up your concussion recovery, to get back to your old self again.
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