Exercise is good for concussion recovery. Are you in?

Our brains only commit to something if they a) enjoy it, b) know how, c) know why, and d) see results. So here's the nitty-gritty of returning to exercise post-concussion — the why and the how — so you can decide for yourself. (And as always, loop in your healthcare provider or OT before ramping up, especially if you're still symptomatic.)

1. Pick something you actually enjoy. To get the full brain-chemistry benefits, exercise needs to be a movement practice you like — not a chore. Hate the gym bike? Skip it and go power walk the nature trail instead. Stay open-minded; it doesn't have to look like what you did before the injury.
2. Safety first. Am I safe from reinjury? Does my nervous system feel safe? This isn't just physical; we can help you adapt any activity so both your body and your nervous system feel secure doing it.
3. Consistency matters. To see real benefits, aim to move most days of the week — but stay under your symptom threshold. A little discomfort easing in is normal; a spike in symptoms is your cue to scale back, not push through.
4. Get your heart pumping. Cardiovascular activity matters because it's how we pump oxygen-carrying blood to the brain. If this makes you dizzy, don't panic — there's a strategic way to build your cardio tolerance gradually.
5. Know when you're adding extra challenge. Cervical (neck), vestibular (balance/inner ear), cognitive (thinking), and oculomotor (eye-tracking) demands — think dance class or technical hiking — all add load on top of basic movement. These use extra brain energy and need to be layered in strategically, based on your specific dysfunction, not all at once.

Exercise restores oxygen to the brain, rebuilds neural pathways as large muscle groups switch the brain back on, restores sensory-motor and body awareness, and boosts energy and mood. 

Ready to start moving? Reach out to work with a concussion trained Occupational Therapist ( that's me)