A Tip for Faster Recovery
So many
times when we ask what we can do to get better we are often told to be patient,
it just takes time. Attitude is the most important in my opinion, but that’s
not really doing anything, so what can one do?
Well, I came across something the
other day, which I believe is just what many people are looking for. This is a
study that shows a definite improvement in mental faculties. This study was
done on older people and was connected to age related brain issues, but I think
survivors will find this relevant.
A study done by Prof. Arthur Kramer
on what the effects of simply walking regularly would have on mental functions.
Specifically, on reversing the aging process, which is very similar to brain
injury recovery. What he found out will not surprise very many people; exercise
is good for you. What will raise many
eyebrows is how good it is for you.
One half his test subjects walked for half an hour three times a week, the
other half remained sedentary (inactive). The active people improved up to 15%
on mental tests!
The areas most improved were regions
responsible for “executive control functions.” Those are the areas with which,
as brain injured people, we suffer some of our most debilitating deficits. You
know the issues I’m talking about, planning, and using working memory, making
decisions, and picking out relevant information from irrelevant distractions.
These tests were on elderly people,
so even older TBI sufferers can expect some benefit from exercise, and one
would imagine that younger folks might even expect more dramatic results.
Of course, it is always a good idea
to consult with your doctor before embarking on any exercise program. Also, you
should try to find something that you enjoy doing so that you are more likely
to keep doing it. Good luck!
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