Recovery Delays
Factors that might play a prominent role in delaying the recovery include the following:
- Social and family stress
- Learning difficulties
- Other brain injury or a history of an earlier concussion
- Mental health or neurological disorders
Recovery from concussion happens usually in four different phases and here is the description of these phases:
Rest
Any person old or young after having a concussion must take it easy for the first few days as the brain takes time to heal from the trauma especially when the symptoms are severe. You can optimize your recovery from concussions by:
- Getting a good night’s sleep and taking short naps during the day whenever you feel like
- Limit any thinking and physically straining activities early on to avoid the symptoms to get more severe
- Avoid activities that put you at risk for another possible injury to the brain and head
Light activity
As you are starting to feel better, you can return to your regular and non-strenuous routine activities but at a gradual pace. Following instructions can help you in resuming light activities after getting a concussion:
- Look for relaxing activities at home, and avoid any activities that might put you at risk for another head or brain injury
- Limit daytime naps and return to your pre-concussion daytime nap schedule
- Return to work as gradually as possible
- Get sufficient nighttime sleep
Moderate activity
You can return to work or school when the symptoms are mild and nearly disappearing. You will need help by taking breaks if concussion symptoms are hitting back.
Back to normal activities
Recovery from a concussion is complete when you are able to perform all of your normal routine activities without having any symptoms of the condition.