Positivity After a Brain Injury


Posted on January 8, 2020

An injury to the brain often results in multi-faceted problems that often result in negative thoughts. Overwhelmed by fear, depression, and feelings of hopelessness due to the physical symptoms after a brain injury, it is often difficult to stay positive.

Patience and positivity can speed up the recovery process. A positive outlook needs to be developed by not only the sufferers but by all those around. Throughout the recovery process, there will be many good and bad days- both emotionally and physically. Though it may difficult initially, celebrating each success may be a positive step towards recovery.

Setting a goal 

After a brain injury, setting goals is important as it gives something to look forward to. Working towards a goal can be difficult, but will pay off in the end.  Achieving a goal may be long and tiring, anger, and frustration at not being able to achieve the goal can gradually be replaced by positive outcome with patience.

Achieving a goal

There can be various ways to achieve a goal. Listening to music, exercising, meditation, and yoga can be great stress relievers. Meditation can help with increasing attention span, relieve depression, anxiety, and sleeping problems and the strength to achieve a goal. The power of positive thinking after a brain injury is of utmost importance to recovery.

The power of positive thinking

Instead of seeing every setback as a ‘failure,’ and seeing how far you’ve come in, the recovery process can help develop a positive attitude. No matter how small an achievement, every small achievement must be celebrated.

Applying positive thinking

Applying positive thinking and outweighing negatives of the recovery process can help you focus on the outcome.

Learning to be positive can be extremely difficult for a brain injury patient or survivor. So even if you’ve had one bad day in a week, think about the week before when you had three or four, and even if you had a really bad episode at the weekend, think about the last time you had one was 2 months back. Or if you are able to do simple calculations, do a little multitasking or make it work even for a short time, it can be a great achievement.

Take one step at a time

Break down your everyday tasks into tiny, manageable steps, and do not worry about the next step until you’ve completed the first one. When you break down tasks that seem unachievable, into simple steps and focus on them, the task becomes less daunting.

Also, small steps can keep you motivated once you achieve them. Do not worry whether you’ll be able to do the next step. And keep reminding yourself of the steps you’ve already come a long way towards your goal.

Plan and be flexible

Set easier goals and increase the difficulty as you gradually recover. Do not criticize or lose heart if you are not able to achieve all that you plan to accomplish each day. Challenge yourself to tasks, and even reward yourself for each success. Positive thinking can do wonders.