Concussions are world changers. They change you and the way you live your life immediately. For those who have experienced this injury and the ones close to them, I probably sound like Captain Obvious!

This article is primarily for those new to this, yet folks with some experience with the injury may garner some additional ideas.

For many, the concussion itself is not the long term problem. It is the effects and symptoms from the blow that can last for weeks, months or even years.

This is Post Concussion Syndrome (PCS). When this happens, life changes and modifications must be made in order to just function initially. Then to recover.

For many in recovery, common themes tend to run through. Over-stimulation, sleep problems, vision concerns, “neuro fatigue”, and balance issues are a few examples.

Here we will offer tools and lifestyle modifications that Terry has used. Broken down by particular categories. All listed have helped her with her recoveries from PCS.

(Please note that we are not medical professionals, just offering our perspective and what has helped in our journey to recovery)

Overall Well-Being

Stainless Steel Water Bottle

Hydration is an important thing for everyone, but also tends to be critical for those recovering from a brain injury. Staying hydrated helps keep fatigue at bay.

A stainless steel bottle is good to have for a few reasons- it holds up well over time, keeps the water colder longer, and necessary if you are going to use essential oils as you recover.

Heating Pad

In Terry’s case, she also had a back/neck injury. Unfortunately this happens for many who sustain a head injury. There were many times where the only thing that brought some relief was a heating pad.

Back Massager

Like the heating pad, the massager was a tool that Terry has used to reduce the knots and tension she experienced in her back and neck. We recommend the one listed as it long enough to reach all around your back and it has a good battery life.

Alexa

Generally being uncomfortable, having memory concerns, vision issues and a full slate of doctor and therapy appointments caused a great deal of strife for Terry. Having a tool like Alexa was very helpful. She makes it so you can add to your calendar, add to your shopping lists, and sets up reminders making it easier to stay organized.

As an added bonus she makes it so you can “read” books (with Audible-see below) via your ears and listen to music and podcasts like A Battle Within easily!

Audible

A subscription based service that makes most books available via voice on your phone, tablet, computer or Alexa. It is a modern day books on tape. Terry was an avid reader prior to her accidents and grew frustrated with the fact that she was unable to read due to her eyes.

When she tried, she didn’t retain the info and put herself into a bad place.

Terry subscribed to Audible and since most of those concerns went away.

Young Living Essential Oils & CBD’s

Essential oils and CBD oils are topics that are complex and cannot be fully discussed here. Terry has used both extensively throughout her recovery journey to great success.

Please know that not all essential oils and/or CBD oils are created equally and therapeutic qualities can either be quite different or non existent depending on the brand.

Young Living oils and supplements are clearly the best in our opinion. If you would like to learn more please contact us.

For Over-Stimulation

Ear Plugs

An important tool for those affected by over stimulation. These ear plugs are used regularly by Terry as she tries to sleep.

Be advised that you should check in with your doctor. Many concussion doctors do not want patients wearing earplugs in everyday life situations.

No Harmful chemicals are used in producing, only the purest natural beeswax to create this ear plug. Totally hypoallergenic as well.

Blue Light Blocker

Right from the get go with Terry’s last concussion she downloaded the Blue light blocker app for her phone and tablet. Having this feature can save hours of headaches and overall angst. If you haven’t set this up yet, it is a must.

Apple offers it as part of the settings in the late model phones. Depending on the maker of your Andriod, it may or may not be offered as a setting.

Sunglasses

These particular sunglasses are the only thing on this list that hasn’t been used personally, but we bring them forward because we know many others who have had success with the special lenses.

Like the earplugs –you should check in with your doctor. Many concussion doctors do not want patients wearing earplugs in everyday life situations.

Special lenses compared to traditional sunglasses aid with migraines and over stimulation. Most with a significant concussion experience vision issues. Having the right glasses as part of the recovery can make a huge difference.

Terry has this benefit built into her prescription glasses prescribed by her Developmental Optometrist doctor.

Headphones

One of Terry’s favorite tools as it allow her to reduce stimulation, listen to books, music and mediate when the moods strikes her. The noise cancelling attributes in these headphones are fantastic which allows her to completely focus on what’s in her ears.

They get heavy use when we are traveling in the car for any distance longer than local trips.

The fact that they tie in nicely with Alexa is a bonus.

Baseball Caps

Especially useful for Terry when she tries to attend concerts and outdoor events. Helps to minimize the stimulation in unison with sunglasses and ear plugs.

Instacart (and other services)

This service has proven to be a lifesaver at times for Terry. The stimulus of stores. The light, the sounds, the action still tend to be a big problem from time to time. Having the ability to grocery shop and have it delivered to the front door has helped significantly

For Balance Stabilization

Handicap Pass

Asking the doctor if he would support us getting a Handicap pass was a lifesaver. It enabled us to do things in society normal people do more frequently. the pass allows Terry to park close by for doctor and therapist appointments or errands when she is on her own.

Obviously having the pass cuts down distance, but it also helps to reduce neuro-fatigue, balance and anxiety from being “so far from the car”.

I would strongly suggest looking into obtaining one if you don’t already have. Even if you feel you only need for a short period of time it will help. Each state handles it differently from my understanding.

Walking Stick/Cane

Terry was greatly affected with balance issues from he concussions. The most recent one was related to vision concerns and the information it was feeding to her brain.

We learned early on that no one “sees the injury” and the general public would go about their business normally. Terry starting using a cane during rough patches. It helped with balance security for her and maybe more importantly, it created a “safety barrier” in public settings. We liked this stick as it is easy to fold up when needed and comes with a bag.

Shower Chair and Handles

Terry’s balance concerns lead to us installing many shower handles in the house to ensure she had plenty to grab on to just in case. Unfortunately the balance concerns also lead to Terry breaking her ankle at one point. This lead to adding a chair to the shower.

Motorized Shopping Carts

After Terry broke her ankle, she began using the motorized shopping carts that many stores offer for their customers. Doing so helped significantly at times in reducing neuro-fatigue and making it easier for Terry to shop as opposed to trying to walk around in her boot.

For Better Sleep

Weighted Blanket

This tool was a big win for Terry. She had an extremely hard time sleeping after concussion number three. When we purchased this and she began using it, sleep began to improve. It also grounded her. She still uses it today even though she doesn’t find it to be a necessity. The 15 pound weighted size is the size to get for adults in our opinion.

Eye Mask

To go along with the weighted blanket, Terry uses an eye mask to help her sleep. It is important for Terry to keep the light and sounds out, otherwise she struggles.

Ear Plugs

Another important part of the sleeping process that Terry uses. The recommended ones are listed above. The snoring part applies in our household!

Black Out Curtains

We have these curtains in our house and they do add a level of darkness that regular curtains do not provide. Aside from keeping the light out they offer noise reduction from the outside and insulation for the house.

Sleep Phones

I purchased these for Terry for Christmas. She likes them because she likes to listen to mediation programs, audible or podcasts at times when off to bed.

You can fall asleep with these on and be completely comfortable.

In Closing

Hopefully the tools offered above will help you or your loved one in the recovery process!

We understand that this is not an all inclusive list. Tell us what we missed. Are there any other tools that we should be considering as well? Tell us in the comments.

We understand that this is not an all inclusive list. Tell us what we missed. Are there any other tools that we should be considering as well? Tell us in the comments.

Please note that Terry and Drew are not medical professionals nor should their perspectives be taken as medical advice.Click Hereto see disclaimer.

Some of the links and resources provided are affiliate links, which means that if you choose to make a purchase via www.abattlewithin.com  we will earn a commission. This commission comes at no additional cost to you. 
Terry is also a Young Living Distributor and if you purchase via a link provided we earn a commission. Again at no charge to you.