January 18, 2017

How Decluttering Your Life Can Help Your Brain Cope after at TBI, Stroke or Parkinson's Disease Diagnosis

Clutter can be detrimental to those with the best of health conditions. Adding a brain injury or medical condition such as Parkinson's Disease as a factor can add another level of difficulty and hindrance to the healing process.

Letting Go:

Whether it be your favorite sweatshirt from college that is full of holes, that arm chair your grandfather gave you that you never sit on, or that bread maker you swear you are going to use again someday, items pile up. A recent study by Yale University found that two areas of your brain associated with pain, the anterior cingulate cortex, and insula, light up in response to letting go of items that you have an emotional connection to. Interestingly, those same areas of the brain allow you to feel your body, and allow you to be aware of where you are in space.

After a traumatic brain injury or debilitating diagnosis, the clutter you once held on to as a comfort can become a hindrance. If your condition is limiting your physical abilities you may not have the dexterity to maneuver, lift, or clean like you once did. A solution is to have a friend, family member or loved one help to clear out some of the items you no longer use to make the environment safe in your new condition.

Funnel Information:

Unnecessary information can be just as constricting as physical clutter. The more we fill our minds through social media, blog articles, news, and more. If you are suffering from a condition that makes it difficult to process the information it is important to limit your daily intake and manage what is essential and helpful. It is not to say that you need to cut yourself from all communications but you need to give you brain a break and room to rebuild and heal.

Anxiety and Stress:

Stress is often prevalent after suffering from an injury or being diagnosed with a debilitating disease. You may be unable to work, complete daily tasks, or connect with others as you once did. Depression or anxiety are often a result which can stem from the newfound stress or the brain disorder itself. When your brain is clouded by indecision, worries, and negative thoughts it can negatively impact your daily life. Find an activity or hobby that can help you to manage stressful thoughts that are cluttering your brain.

Clutter can be a limitation on your healing process. Don’t let physical or mental clutter hinder your process. Find ways to declutter your life to create a nurturing environment for recuperation. Plasticity Brain Centers can help your healing process by working with your body and brain to create new ways of thinking, moving, or behaving. We believe a holistic brain-centered approach is essential to health, and know that every aspect of your life is impacted by your condition. We are here to find what it takes to improve your quality of living.

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