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During my concussion recovery, I tried so many things, but I never shared about what you can do for a concussion at home. I get many questions like: “can you treat a concussion on your own?” I am sure there are many things that help you to cope or heal that you can do from your safe place at home.
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I became my own doctor
At first, I thought you needed to go to a doctor, therapist or hospital to heal. But after searching for so long for the right treatment, I didn’t get help from them. In my first two years, it felt like I had become my own doctor, so I started to experiment with things that would help me heal or would make my situation a bit easier.
I tried many things, from superfoods to daily yoga sessions and many more things. Some of these things really helped while others didn’t, and I let go of them. But in this blog, I would love to share the things I ordered, which helped me physically or emotionally in my journey. Sometimes, even the smallest thing can make such a difference.
What to do for a concussion at home - 18 helpful things:
My eye pillow: this is a pillow to relax the muscles behind/around your eyes. I chose one with lavender in it to calm me down even more. Every time I overdid (mostly because of screens) something, I just laid down with this eye pillow, which helped me relax the muscles. I mostly use it before going to bed when I listen to an audiobook. It definitely improved my sleep. I could fall asleep more easily because my eyes weren’t exposed to any light for 30 minutes - 1 hour before going to bed.
My heart rate monitor: to do interval training: As you may know, interval training was such a game-changer in my recovery. So, when people asked me what to do for a concussion at home, this (interval training) was definitely one of my first answers. To do the interval training, it is helpful to use a heart rate monitor to know if you are pushing hard enough and in the recovery time (after the interval) if you take enough rest to start another round of intervals. Feel free to check out my 7-day interval course to make sure you’re doing the intervals in the correct way.
My blue light glasses: These glasses are so helpful when you have to use your laptop or mobile; it filters out all the blue light, especially in the evening. The blue keeps you up, telling your body that it’s day, so you don’t make the sleep hormone to get a good sleep. By filtering out the blue light in the evening, you will give your body the chance to calm down and not getting constantly a sign that it needs to stay awake. I fall asleep more easily. I use the glasses also during the day when I am working, and I notice my eyes are less tired, and it has a positive effect on my headaches. It doesn’t cost that much, but it makes a big difference. I just love this transparent design.
4. Dandelion tea: let’s stay in the superfood section. I recently started drinking this tea because it should be so beneficial for your brain to heal. I love the taste, and it does feel healthy to drink this in the morning. Dandelion tea helps to create new pathways in the brain; it reduces fatigue, supports brain health and metabolic function.
5. One of the other game-changers in my recovery was combining the intervals as I mentioned in point two (see above) with cognitive exercises. So, what can you do for a concussion at home? Interval training and cognitive exercises! To do the cognitive exercises, I purchased 4 tools to help me do the exercises (see below). These are also the exact items you need in case you want to start my 5-week cognitive course (this is a course where I guide you through my 15 most effective cognitive exercises). It’s perfect for everyone who needs more inspiration and guidance or just want to make sure they are doing the exercises correctly.
Balance board
Deck of playing cards
Tennis balls
Post-its
6. Pea protein: One last thing I ordered when it comes to food is pea protein. Your brain needs protein to heal. As I am a fan of plant protein (which, in my opinion, is healthier than the animal one), I mix this every morning through my smoothie. Make sure you choose one which is sugar-free, as sugar can cause an opposite effect like more fatigue, low energy levels… well, I guess you know all the negative effects of sugar ;).
7. Phone lock box with timer: Sometimes I am addicted to my phone and it scares me to see at the end of the day my total screen time. It's maybe a bit funny but I decided to buy this box. It has a timer on it and it helps me to reduce screen time.
8. Essential oil “Frankincense”: I tried many different essential oils, but this one is my favourite. I decided I couldn’t buy all the oils (financial reasons), so I decided to stick to this one because I feel the most benefits from it. Frankincense is also the one I always find when I search on Google for the best essential oils for people with a brain injury. One of the most important benefits are: it reduces your anxiety and helps reduce inflammation and nausea. Besides that, one of the important ingredients is “sesquiterpenes,” which deliver oxygen molecules directly to cells and help bring more oxygen to damaged brain cells. I love to just smell this essential oil, put a bit on my wrist or behind my ears. You can also use an aroma diffuser to spread the essential oil throughout the room.
9. Matcha powder: This is something new I added to my diet, and I can feel the benefits already. To answer the question can you treat a concussion on your own, I would say YES because there are so many things that were even more helpful than my doctor’s advice. This matcha powder is a superfood and has a lot of benefits: you feel calmer, your sleep is better, it gives more energy, it’s good for your immune system, better focus, improves your heart health, and there are so many antioxidants in it (125x that of spinach!), you feel less overwhelmed, and many more! You can add a teaspoon to your smoothie, make a matcha latte or make matcha tea. It’s important to look at the quality of this powder as many of them aren’t that good. The ceremonial grade is the best one you can have.
10. The book “The Ghost in My Brain”: Because of this book, I learned many new things about concussions. I loved to read the story of Clark Elliott who suffered a concussion when his car was rear-ended. Elliott kept detailed notes throughout his concussion recovery and from the moment he felt ready, he wrote this book. This book gives hope to many other brain injury survivors. It did even lead me to The Mind Eye Institute (because he wrote about it), which I currently wear the therapeutic glasses from.
11. The book: “Wake up Fall”: Joelle describes in this book how landing on her face taught her to stand on her feet. It’s all about how her TBI transformed her life, and it’s inspiring!
12. 50 Superfood mix: In this superfood mix are 50 different superfoods. I also love the fact there is no sugar in it, and I blend it every morning through my smoothie. Every time I skip this mix (when I have to wait for my next order or on vacation), I miss my energy boost in the morning. The mix contains fruits, vegetables, super greens, mushrooms, and probiotics.
13. The book “Dying to Be Me”: This changed my perspective on life. It’s about how she had a near-death experience and describes how it felt. It opened me to the third world and the spiritual world. It made me more aware that everything happens for a reason and after reading this book, my life/concussion felt less “heavy,” and I saw it as something to learn from.
14. Bose Quiet Comfort 45 noise cancelling headphones: Believe me, I tried many different headphones in the last 5 years, but this is the absolute winner! The noise cancelling on this one is sooo good that I can’t live without this thing anymore. I bring them with me everywhere. At first, I tried to expose myself a bit more to impressions, but it gave me a setback every time. For example, when I have to take the train without my noise cancelling headphones, this is so much harder. So, I decided to stop torturing myself and enjoy the silence while wearing these headphones. I know they are a bit more expensive but worth every cent.
15. My Tempur Pillow: I searched so long for a good pillow for my neck. As I sustained a whiplash, I still have some neck pain, and some pillows make it worse. This was heaven! Definitely less neck pain and better sleep after finally finding this one.
16. The Book: The Power of Now by Eckard Tolle is one of the best books that helped me with my mindset and controlling my anxiety. This book seems so logical, and mostly everything you read makes immediate sense. It gives the simple truth on how we as humans mostly work... That our mind is a beautiful and yet somehow "destroying" tool, which is basically just afraid of the moment or the next one more likely. In the photo, you see me holding the Dutch one, but the English one is called “The Power of Now”.
17. The Body Keeps the Score - Bessel van der Kolk - Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma: This book is a must-read for everyone who is dealing with trauma/a concussion. It describes how individuals are affected by traumatic stress (which we all experience with a concussion), and its effects on the mind and body. Research suggests that mental unwellness doesn't just take a toll on our minds; it affects our physical selves as well. Our body and mind are connected.
18. Loop Earplugs: The BEST earplugs to filter out background noise and still be able to have a conversation. I purchased the "Engage Plus" Earplugs. No more fatigue and anxiety after being in a restaurant (or any busy place).
So, can you treat a concussion on your own?
I am not a doctor; I am just sharing these 16 things after searching on Google about what to do for a concussion at home.
These 16 things helped make my life easier, helping me move forward in my healing journey. I am sure there are many more things out there in the world I haven’t even tried yet, and that’s no different for you. So, when your doctor tells you to rest, wait or even worse, doesn’t believe you, please become your own doctor and look at all the different things you can do for a concussion at home to make your life better/easier and move forward again. There are so many things to try, there is always hope.
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