ACTIVE

Activities like brisk walking, cycling, and swimming boost cerebral blood flow, which provides the brain with a steady supply of oxygen and nutrients. This type of moderate exercise also stimulates the creation of new neurons, particularly in the hippocampus, which is crucial for memory and learning.

Strength training is an effective tool for managing the widespread inflammation that can hinder cognitive rehabilitation. It also improves metabolic health by helping to regulate glucose and insulin sensitivity, ensuring the brain receives the stable energy supply it needs to function and repair itself effectively.

Chronic tension in the neck and shoulders is a common physical echo of brain injury that can worsen headaches and brain fog. A consistent routine of gentle stretching, such as neck rotations and restorative stretching, can release this muscle stiffness, which provides both physical relief and a sense of psychological calm.

To combat dizziness and instability, a rehabilitation plan should include vestibular and proprioceptive exercises. Activities like standing on one leg or on unstable surfaces help retrain the brain's balance system and improve the body's awareness of its position in space, which helps to prevent falls and build stability. To reduce fall risk, always do these exercises with support aids or help.

Engaging the brain with a cognitive challenge while performing a physical activity creates a powerful effect for neuroplasticity. Activities like dancing or non-contact cardio boxing require coordination, memory, and strategic thinking, forcing the brain and body to work together to improve memory, attention, and processing speed.

The goal of exercise in neurological rehabilitation is not to push to exhaustion but to maintain a comfortable, moderate level of exertion. Gentle and consistent daily activity stimulates the brain without causing a relapse of symptoms, allowing for gradual and sustained improvements in cognitive vitality over time.