At the start of 2023, I made it a goal to find employment for the first time since my stroke. Still, this was a lofty goal for me, mainly because I haven’t been employed for the last 5+ years and going from that straight into work might have been too much for me. Still, I knew I had 6+ years of skills that could translate into something useful for an organisation, but I needed to figure out what that would be.
Joining Cedar
In October of 2022, I joined the Cedar Foundation. I was referred to them by a specialist who deals with brain injuries. After a period of what could be described as growing pains, I met my key worker, Kieran McKeown, who has been ruthlessly optimistic about me and the skills I have to offer; we have been working on polishing those up to find work whilst I have been doing that I took part in training for interviews which can be one of the most complex parts of finding work.
After going through mock interviews, Sinead, who is a service manager, said that the skills I had would be more suited toward a social media role; it was through that conversation that I was recommended to the communications department as an example of what could be a pilot scheme for helping people put those skills to work to help both themselves but also Cedar.
Meeting the team ( realising how incredible they are)
I met with the team in December of 2023, Ciara, David, and Rhona. After chatting with them, I knew they were passionate about their jobs, helping people, and improving society. Of course, I figured out very quickly that my suggestions were good, but the team is like myself in that they would need 2 of each of them to try and implement all the changes I suggested.
Working with them & getting to know them
I got to spend time with the whole team getting to know what their driving motivation is for each of them.
Ciara
Ciara, who was passionate about getting more eyes on the website, talked about ways to improve the structure of information passed through the team and hopefully lift a bit of pressure put on the team. I wish I could have gotten more time to chat and work with her.
I felt a kinship because we both have similar backgrounds. She is a stroke survivor, and we both write a blog, but I feel her to be senior to me in those matters as she is also interested in creative writing. p.s. Ciara, if you are reading this, I hope you do write those books you never got the chance to.
David
David was the leading man that I dealt with. He is a passionate person with a light soul who wants to help people both at work and outside it, as he has his charity dedicated to helping those with autism, which I have linked here: he also thinks like myself in that he pushes for accountability with those that he works with.
I will admit I felt ashamed that I hadn’t done as much as I could compared to what David is doing, but I’m so glad to have met him because I will be changing things in the future. If I can do more, I will thank you for kindling a fire in me.
Looking back on it, When I first met him, he was the first person I laid the bulk of my criticism on because he managed the social media for Cedar. Of course, this was before I knew everything that this team of 3 had to do, and I felt the need to apologise to him on my last day with him for the stick I gave him.
Rhona
Rhona was the second person I dealt with, and I learned a ton of stuff behind the scenes such as how they organise and plan events and press events. I had the chance to see the things she is passionate about and her drive to improve not only the place where she works but also parts of society through her fostering of the user forum, which helps to provide a voice for their service users to advocate for a more inclusive community. If you want to read more about the user forum, you can click this link: https://www.cedar-foundation.org/user-forum
I will also be producing a podcast for the user forum, which I will link back here in the future.
Finishing up my work with them
im glad I was able to keep up with everything they gave me, but at the end of my work experience, I was offered the task of creating a blog post for Cedar about myself and my work with Cedar, which you can read here:
On top of that, I got to meet some fantastic people and have felt a fire being kindled in me to do more, not just in terms of my blog but also in terms of helping people.
Giving back to Cedar
I have taken on the projects as a way to thank the team. im going to be in charge of creating podcast content for their user forum, which helps to provide a lot of feedback ranging from readability to accessibility to many local services and health and care services in Ireland and Northern Ireland
In closing
I think the Cedar Foundation is a fantastic charity, and if you get the chance to work with them either as a service user or in a work experience/employee role, I would recommend that to anyone.
I am with The Cedar Foundation as part of their SkillSet service, meaning I receive pre-employment training and preparation to enhance my chances of finding employment. You can find out more about the service here: https://www.cedar-foundation.org/skillset
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If you want to check out The Cedar Foundation and see the cool stuff they are doing, check out their links below
This is a blog about me and the experiences that I go through as I am recovering from a stroke, so some of the things that I write about will be about my recovery and some of the challenges that I face because of the stroke and also hoping that through this more awareness is raised toward things like mental health and the issues that come through not looking after it.
I’m not over this hurdle just yet. In fact, I have only just begun the process, so I will continue writing these things down because if you don’t keep track, you won’t know how far you have travelled.
Thank you for joining me on my journey.
“A good traveller has no fixed plans and is not intent on arriving.”
― Lao Tzu
So, I recently did a podcast with Tawnie, The Neuro Mermaid. We talked about me and my recovery, but before that, we chatted about the interviews I’ve participated in over the last few months. She mentioned that I’m going through the process of “healing loudly” when she wrote that so many things clicked because that’s exactly what I’ve been doing over the last six years to a lesser degree, and I think that I’m doing it more loudly.
That is something that people should do, and I’m going to do more of it. I realise now that I haven’t been as vocal about my recovery because I didn’t think I was special, that people have strokes every day, and that I was just another one of them also I would have to acknowledge that I’ve been dealt a bad hand in life (pun intended) I didn’t think I’d be helping as many people by talking about my life as I have so im going to do just that help people by giving you all my everything.
Over the next month, I’m going to be writing down just about every up-and-down detail about my life right up to this very moment, including updating older posts. I want this blog to be a beacon for people to realise that their life isn’t over after a stroke and that it’s an opportunity to embrace their life as the finite and precious thing that it is. This blog is called The Long Road Ahead, after all, and there’s no better meaning to life than that.
And as a way to show you what I mean, im currently in my favourite cafe, slightly sleep-deprived, and I need to get on with my other tasks, but I want to get this out. Oh, and also, I’m launching a weekly podcast called Stroke of Resilience that will have me talking about these issues and also talking with other stroke survivors. I’ve always wanted to do a podcast, but I’ve been more motivated to make this work than I have lately. Plus, I want to improve my public speaking as I’ve realised that I’m very nervous when talking to large groups and can often get in my head about this, which doesn’t help, so I figured I’d hit two birds with one stone.
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I spent the day just getting the lay of the land, travelling around the town and finding out how the festival works, and seeing the different stalls and tents around the campgrounds.
Meeting my hero, aka my fanboy moment
I attended a private event/ dinner. It was great; there was me, Steven Bonnell and 15 others. It was a meet and greet with him followed by a private talk; we began by getting to know everyone; of course, those of us who were there to see Steven already knew him, but we were joined by a group of 6 people who had no idea of who he was, and so we sheepishly began to chat I was pretty amazed here was a person I looked up to who I watch on my computer, phone and tv now here beside me. I will die on this hill sounding even more American than when I watched him.
We chatted about topics mostly centred around the UK and the EU, our media in terms of how the press handles news and how the different papers handle specific issues regarding our leaders.
Our healthcare: the interesting thing I learned from a couple of doctors is how doctors can manoeuvre around specific problems to get their patients seen quicker than they would through normal channels. For example, if you’re having problems with headaches, say you both conclude that you have an aneurysm, but you can be seen for whatever reason, but if the doctor “thinks” you have epilepsy, you could be seen quicker in the latter than the former. That was something that has stuck with me ever since, and as someone who likes to think about things in a more technical way of thinking of things.
Our countries and the EU in relation to Brexit, how it has impacted us over the last 5-6 years, and how the shift away from the EU has affected us. Also, the difference in travelling around the EU and the convenience of their infrastructure, such as inter-city travel or the roads, the ease of access to everything compared to the Americas, where they seem to be behind on those things.
Our schools compared to American schools and how the education authorities differ from America or even the EU or the fact that schools seem more segmented compared to America where we have primary, secondary and college, and they have k-12 education, which keeps people together right up to college age where they then split off.
Our economies, the roles that the UK has taken on from Brexit, how COVID has impacted our work sectors throughout all sectors, and the impact on the health sector, which is one of our economy’s most overloaded sectors.
I then got to spend a few minutes for a quick chat with Steven and his friend Kelly-Jean, who joined the conversation, and I managed to take a photo with both of them.
Day 2
This was more relaxed. I was still trying to find my way around the place as it was quite large, plus it wasn’t as though they had a huge sign saying where things were. Also, I’m keeping an eye on my mental and physical stamina throughout the whole event, so I only attended a few shows every day throughout the entire event.
The game of life
I saw the brief but exciting conversation on the gamification of life with Slavoj Zizek, Steven Bonnell, and Lisa Miller and hosted by Myriam François. Their back and forth between Zizek & Bonnell. To be honest, I was in awe that the two of them seemed to be so engaged in the conversation. Still, I was a bit peeved that Lisa Miller would cut in and try to manoeuvre the conversation down a more spiritual route. Still, I enjoyed it nonetheless. Sadly, due to the scheduling of the event, the conversation ended very abruptly. The Q&A was cut entirely.
I wish there would have been more; I did some prep for this and had a couple of questions for both of them. After the talk, there was a book signing/chat with Destiny. At the same time, Zizek went to his next discussion. I also took another photo and had a more extended conversation with Steven and Kelly-Jean, who was dressed up like an actual life princess.
After the chat, I went to get food, and I ended up sitting with a fellow fan of Stevens, who his grandfather accompanied. We had a great conversation, and he opened up to me about how crazy the guy’s life is and that he is studying astrophysics and doing great despite the stresses he has on his shoulders. Alex, if you’re reading this, I hope Shanghai was great and that the time with your uncle was well spent. You got this. I believe in you!
Also, it would’ve been nice to have got photos with several people, but they were busy going from talk to talk. Hopefully, there’s a next time.
Standup: Priya Hall
It was a great 45 minutes. I was a great set; I loved the routine about her grandad’s five languages. It made me appreciate that there is more out there than the leading big names of comedy, which is what I’m used to. I loved the whole experience.
Day 3
The centre of the universe
The conversation, sparked by a panel discussion on “The Centre of the Universe,” delved into the intriguing possibility that even scientific thought might harbour an inherent human bias. Neil Turok, Lisa Randall, and Martin Cohen explored various aspects of this “anthropocentric” tendency.
As an aside, I loved the degree to which the others gave excellent back-and-forth; it annoys me that they don’t venture into the online space to argue for their points/sides.
It began with Turok highlighting the “fine-tuning” argument, questioning if the seemingly life-friendly universe reflects a design for humanity or simply selection bias. Randall emphasised the subjective nature of perspective, suggesting there might be no single objective “centre.” Cohen, however, challenged the implications for scientific objectivity.
The discussion shifted to the potential of AI offering a truly alien perspective, free from human limitations. However, concerns arose about its own human-built origin and ability to escape that influence.
Ultimately, the conversation circled back to the idea that the “centre” might not be a fixed point but rather a continuous process – the human quest for understanding driven by curiosity. Each participant contributed their unique take:
I also went to see the various Indie music groups, which was new to me, much like most of the trip, which was not my taste in things, but I did it as that was kind of the theme for the trip in general. I just went and got food and just chilled for a couple of hours
In ending some last thoughts
The Hay Festival was eye-opening to be in that place, to step out of the bubble I’m in, and to feel like there’s more out there that I can be part of something more. I enjoyed my time there. The atmosphere was so different and unique compared to my hometown and even to the people I talked to within the online sphere of things.
It was great to speak with interesting people and be intellectually stimulated. I wish I had taken a few more photos, but I was so captivated by everything that I forgot, then again, I suppose that’s the point of being captivated.
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Travelling for the first time since my stroke was a bit nerve-racking, but it was something I did not need to do. I began the year 2023 with a goal, and within five months, I was either going to be able to do this or fail. Oh, did I mention that I was doing this on my own? I came up with this goal after learning of the Hay Festival, a yearly event where people of all backgrounds get together to enjoy an art and music festival; it has been labelled as the “British version of Woodstock”, for what that’s worth, and during that event, they hold a more intellectual event where some of the worlds most top thinkers are going to be together in one place. I can meet them and ask questions? sign me up! So I made up my mind I was going to get there come hell or high water. I was going to be there. There will be a more extensive detail of this festival in my next post.
Looking back on it, it was indeed an arduous task. I sit here today, able to pour over those thoughts and experiences, and I will share my experiences with you.
Off we go
I began the trip by travelling to a train station a town away from where I was. I decided to prebook everything I could as it helps me keep track of where im going and just what I need, so off I headed with my suitcase packed to the gills with everything I needed except what I could buy when I went there, which was basically all toiletries as I sat on the train going to a significant city in ireland dublin I was able to open my eyes to the wonders these things iove missed the scenery the hustle and bustle of people going about their daily lives and those going on their holidays I made my way out of the train and jumped into an uber going to ship docks why you might ask am I going there? I wanted to make the journey via a ferry, which I hadn’t done ever, so as you can imagine, I’m a seasoned pro by now. Thank god for lifts; this was the easiest way I could get around. Thankfully, there was plenty of space, but I got thrown in with a family on the way back, so to the others if you’re reading this, thanks for the chats and laughs.
Holyhead
I arrive in Holyhead after disembarking off the ferry and make my way to the travel lodge, which is nicely situated 10 – 15 minutes away from the dock terminal; this was a lifesaver as it meant I was able to get quick transport to the Travel Lodge and I made my way there again thank god for lifts because I didn’t realise that Travel Lodges can have over three floors of rooms thankfully, mine was literally round the corner from my elevator I unpacked what I needed from my suitcase. I journeyed to a nearby local supermarket that also managed to have a McDonald’s close by. As it was getting late, I wanted to avoid trying and finding a restaurant in humid/hot weather, so I just went there.
The following morning, I made my way to the Funk & Soul cafe, where I had a quick breakfast of cereal, a breakfast muffin and a cup of their finest tea, which I suspect was Punjana as I like that brand of tea myself. I then made my way to the train station. I was there one hour early before my actual train was due to depart and managed to negotiate with the conductor to get an earlier train. Thankfully, he was very friendly and didn’t mind.
Hereford
After a 2-hour train ride, I managed to arrive at Hereford train station, where I must confess this is where my story took a frustrating turn. You see I thought with Hereford being a hub of sorts ther,e would be access to similar things that I would have access to in my town, like uber, bus timetables and more visible signage but this is where those expectations fell short you see i got lost very quickly and i had the bright idea to use my phone to guide me where i needed to go but it wasnt that simple i wondered into several places I wasn’t supposed to be most notably the loading area for amazon and royal mail after 45 minutes i gave up on my plans figuring out that if I wasted anymore time i wouldn’t make the 4.30 bus.
yes you read that right, a bus I was at this point exhausted keep in mind that temperatures were in the low to mid 20’s°F for this entire trip which looking back on it probably made my mood worse than it should have been, anyway I made my way to closest fast food place because I just wanted to get something to eat unfortunately it was a KFC which was not the “wagamama” I wanted to try for the first time but needless to say it was needed I dont think I ever finished a meal as quick I believe I was in and out in 7-8 minutes thankfully the bus step I needed to wait at was a couple of minutes away and I had 30 minutes still to go the only thing I didnt know was how buses where paid for and how much it would cost me thankfully I found out from a local bodegas worker that they take payment via card
Needless to say, I was relieved I got on the bus and was kinda beaten by the day I was tired, annoyed and every other simile that you could imagine when I took this photo shown
not a happy bunny, lol
I was on the move again.
Hay-on-Wye/Talgrath
Day 1:
1 hour and 20 minutes later, I arrived in hay-on-wye a rather beautiful and scenic town; the bus that dropped me off right outside of the hay festival coach grounds to which I was going, at least not on this day.
I managed to make my way to the next bus stop, re-energised from my rest, and shortly after made my way to Talgarth, a town 9 miles southwest of Hay.
I, unfortunately, was double booked at the closest hotel in the town and was unable to get a room, so this was the best option for me a lovely bed and breakfast in the town.
Day 2:
My second day began with me journeying from Talgarth to Hay-on-Wye. I got lunch in Oscar’s Bistro, a lovely rustic place with books for sale in the corner of the shop. This, I would come to learn, was a theme for this town/village;
I then meandered around, going to the various markets that were open at the time and then finally going into the antique shops. You see, I was a big fan of those shows when I was younger, and I decided to pick up something small as a souvenir, a reminder of the trip after the festival was over for me; as I went to see the shows, I wanted and met the people I wanted to visit.
Day 3:
I started off by waiting on the bus. It was eye-opening when I got on. The price to go from Talgarth to Hey was three times the price of the ticket I paid to get from Talgarth to Hey. Still, I learned there is a border, and once you cross that border, the price to get back might be completely different from what you paid to go there.
I grabbed a couple of things from Haywain Antiques, a lovely and quaint shop where I picked up my last two purchases: a watercolour illustration which spoke to me.
And an insect in resin that I used for a joke on a friend I wasn’t able to spend a long time in town as the show for how the light gets in started earlier today than the day before. Still, I had a great time all the less.
Day 4:
I was wandering around the markets in town; it was just a very slow and chill day. I was talking to people, eating good food, and buying books. I didn’t attend the festival today as there wasn’t anything I wanted to participate in or be a part of.
This town was an absolute joy to be in. The people were friendly and nice. This town had something that I’d never seen anywhere else: a love for literature. You could see it everywhere in every shop. There were books for sale, and when I was travelling past, every bus shelter I saw had at least one bookcase inside it. I remember thinking to myself that I could never see something like that where I live. It made me both happy and sad to have experienced that and to leave it behind. But if I ever get the chance, I would love to grow old there one day, or maybe when I’ve had enough and I run away, that is the first place I would go.
Hereford:
The next morning I packed up and left my B&B to go to Hereford I was waiting at the bus stop for over an hour when I suddenly realised that they weren’t working on a bank holiday weekend, so I phoned up the only taxi driver I knew at the time. You see, I never got a bus back to Talgarth. After all, the festival ran into the late hours, so I mostly relied on him to get me back to my B&B.
I met this taxi driver by the name of Mike who was one of the only taxi drivers working that week of the festival as it turned out a lot of the companies for the town and the surrounding town decided to take the week off because they do not like to deal with people from the festival according to mike they don’t like the festival at all and wished that it would be somewhere else. Anyway, where was I? Ah, yes, I phoned Mike, and now it is 9 am. I was due to meet my friends in Hereford, 30 miles away, at 11.30 am, so I begged him for help. I got it, and he picked me up at 9.30 am. We drove as quickly as we could Hereford to the travel lodge where I could stash my luggage away for a couple of hours till my hotel was ready to check me in. Plus, I knew if I went to my hotel, I wouldn’t make it back in time to meet my friends.
Catching up with friends
11.30 am came, and we met up at Hereford Cathedral. It’s the first time I’ve seen them in years. Still, it feels like yesterday. They spent the day asking me about my trip and why I was over in Wales because I had yet to tell them why I was there. It was a surprise for them. So after that, we went and got food and talked some more about friends and family and the festival it was great.
After a couple of hours of eating and drinking, we went into the town to look for souvenirs for people and in the process of that I unfortunately lost my balance walking on a footpad that ended sooner than I thought. I fell onto a cobblestone road, and I instantly tried to get up as quickly as possible. I was embarrassed and winded from the fall. Still, I didn’t think much was wrong except my hand was sore, I guess from the fall to be honest, I don’t remember my hand landing in an awkward direction, probably because I was super focused on not wanting to be a burden to my friends, but this I would come to learn would be the least of my problems as I finished up with them they drove me to pick up my luggage and then to the hotel I was staying at.
A broken hand and a hospital wait
As I sat in my room, I remember the pain was becoming more noticeable, and my hand was swelling up over the course of an hour. I phoned my uncle, who had broken bones from mountain climbing, to get his opinion after a couple of hours, I realised that it would be best to get this looked at. I went to the hospital A&E surprisingly or rather not it was packed to the rafters with people all waiting to be seen I went to the main desk and told them my problem they saw me more urgently as something I didn’t know is that there is a vein that runs along your thumb and if your bone breaks, it could puncture the vein, so I got looked at, scanned, and was given an ice pack to keep the swelling down. After 2 hours, the doctor saw me on call at this point, announcing that I had broken two fingers and fractured two. The only one that wasn’t hurt was my pinky, and all the breaks were clean, which I guess was good after all; some force in the universe said we can’t give him five stars so four will do.
Anyway i was then asked by the doctor what the mobility was like in my left hand, to which i told him and explaioned just how my affected side worked i was told that he wanted me to be put into a cast, and i pipped up with the suggestion of not doing that as i didnt know if my hand would be able to take being placed into something so rigid (insert pun here) also i was told that there was a line of other poeople in front of me and that i might not get seen for a few more hours its already 9.30pm at this point and i have to leave at 6.30 am in the morning to make it back home for 9pm tomorrow one of the downsides to booking everything in advance is that if something needs changed they generally want 24-48hours notice which i couldnt give so i suggested that he could send my results to my local hospital and icould go get patched up when i get home which he agreed that it was the best course and sent me on my way with just a notice that if anything further happewn to phone them also did i menntion that he wouldnt give me any strong pain killers for this trip back either!
So I went to the hotel. Thankfully, there was a supermarket nearby where I was staying, so I went in, filled my backpack, and returned to the hotel. It’s 10.30 at this point, and I’m sitting there watching YouTube and getting something to eat; after a while, I packed my suitcase for the following day. The painkillers have finally started to kick in at this point, so I fell asleep pretty quickly.
Going home
The following day, I woke up feeling like a truck had hit me. I gathered the strength to get ready, and after, I booked my taxi for the beginning of my 12-hour journey back home, going from Hereford to Holyhead via train.
On the train, I suddenly became very aware of every bump on the track as my hand would feel the vibration of the train. I don’t think I was ever more tired and more awake at the same time than from Holyhead to Dublin via ferry; after getting to Dublin,
it took over 30 minutes to call a taxi, nearly making me miss my train. Still, thankfully, I made it onto the train just as final boarding was announced and made it home. The biggest pain for this was asking someone to store my luggage, as any strenuous movement made my hand tense up.
By the time I got home, I was exhausted. I opted to go straight home and get a takeaway rather than go to the hospital that night. Thankfully, my friend was waiting for me at the station to bring me home. I was going to go the next day instead, as I wanted to do things at a slower pace. I needed to rest as the previous week was catching up to me. I thought it was like paying an energy tax on everything I did this week.
Roundup:
Did I know I would do all that before I left? Nooo! I didn’t, and I’m pretty sure the main reason I slept soundly every night is either that or I can sleep anywhere when I travel, but all of this was a test to see what I could do and what I couldn’t, but I held up in terms of my stamina, and I came out on top of it, and I came away from that with flying colours if I do say so myself (minus the broken hand of course)
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As a stroke survivor, facing challenges is a part of the journey, but it’s the fierce determination that pushes us through. Today, let’s dive deep into the importance of having an unyielding spirit. 💪
Embracing the New Normal:
Stroke recovery often means adapting to a ‘new normal’. It might be relearning daily tasks or adjusting to physical changes. Instead of resisting, determination means embracing these changes head-on, using them as stepping stones towards our goals; for me, the most challenging part was adjusting to this new way of life, but as it turns out, we as humans tend to acclimate to changes in our life, we are given the power to rationalise and come to terms with our situations. There is no better testament than to continue with your life after being dealt a bad hand.
The Power of Small Wins:
Every minor achievement, be it moving a finger or taking a step, is a testament to determination. Celebrating these small wins fuels our spirit, propelling us forward on more challenging days. Remember, it’s a marathon, not a sprint. Another saying that I just recently heard is “one day or day one.” Instead of saying, you’re going to do it one day, start small and start now. I just recently started walking again after four months of a very sedentary life, and yes, it’s hell, but when I saw that quote come up on my phone, that was enough for me to get off my ass and start doing more.
Leaning on Community:
Our inner determination is undoubtedly vital, but drawing strength from our community—family, friends, or fellow survivors—can amplify it. I, unfortunately, didn’t have a lot of these things, which was one of the reasons why I decided to start the blog/social media, and it is also why I feel bad because I feel like I could be doing more in terms of the things I could do and that I intend to in the coming year. Because I believe that this community has more to offer than what it is doing at the moment, I want to see more support for those who are suffering from strokes, especially those of us who are younger. Surround yourself with positive reinforcement, and never hesitate to seek support when needed.
Stay determined! Every challenge faced is a step closer to your goals. What challenges are you determined to overcome this week?
Self-care is crucial for maintaining mental and emotional health. A simple yet effective self-care routine can be spending some time outside daily.
Go for a short walk in the morning or evening. For me, that is the morning when it is brightest. Sitting in your garden or going to a local park to read, enjoy the scenery, or enjoy a cup of tea on your window or balcony. Exposure to natural light can boost your mood, and a change of scenery can help clear your mind; remember, it is your choice in life to do things I believe are in both your and others’ best interests, and I think you need it to yourself to try. If you are someone like me who likes to have a clear head while trying to make decisions, you deserve to get that time to do so.
Therapy Activities:
Therapy activities can have a significant impact on recovery and overall health. For instance, strength-building tasks can help regain physical strength and improve mental resilience.
A simple at-home strength-building task could be wall push-ups. Stand arm’s length from a wall, place your palms on the wall, and push your body towards and away from the wall. Repeat this ten times, rest, and then do another set. You might think that it is a little, but this is an excellent way for me to do sets of exercises that are hard enough to get the muscles pumping and burning and suitable for those who don’t have good balance like Moi.
Always remember to consult your healthcare provider before starting any new exercise.
Healthy Smoothie Recipes:
Smoothies can be a nutrient-packed snack or breakfast option. Here’s a simple green smoothie recipe that’s both healthy and delicious.
Ingredients:
One banana.
One handful of spinach.
One cup of unsweetened almond milk.
One tablespoon of chia seeds.
A dash of honey (optional but, in my opinion, definitely a plus)
For those who like a treat great and who like peanut butter as much as me, here is a link to a delicious smoothie; click here. Especially if this is your first foray into smoothies, it helps to make something you’ll like. I remember the first time I bought a smoothie. Make I decided to make a banana smoothy that I got in a coffee shop during one of the summers when I was a child I said that even if I didn’t make anything else, I could still make that if I wanted to, and I never looked back regardless if it is healthy or not after all if you don’t try you’ll never know.
Blend all the ingredients until smooth. Bananas provide natural sweetness and are rich in potassium and vitamin B6. Spinach adds a dose of iron and fibre, and chia seeds are packed with omega-3 fatty acids and protein, which are excellent for mental function and energy.
Exercise is crucial to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Today, we present a simple, at-home chair yoga routine you can do anytime and anywhere.
Seated Mountain Pose:
Sit in a chair with your back straight and feet flat on the ground.
Raise your hands above your head with your palms facing each other.
Take five deep breaths in this position.
Seated Twist: With your feet flat on the ground, turn your torso to the right, holding onto the back of the chair for support. Hold for five breaths, then repeat on the other side.
Seated Forward Bend:
Extend your feet out in front of you.
Keeping your back straight, lean forward from your hips and reach for your toes.
Remember to consult your healthcare provider before starting any new exercise program.
Mindfulness Techniques:
Mindfulness can help manage stress and improve overall well-being. Here’s a simple 5-minute breathing exercise:
Sit comfortably, close your eyes, and take a few moments to settle in.
Begin to notice your breath. Don’t try to change it; observe the rise and fall of your chest or the sensation of the air passing through your nostrils.
If your mind wanders, gently bring your attention back to your breath.
Do this for up to five minutes or longer if you’d like.
Practising this simple technique every day can help to reset and improve focus, reduce stress, and increase self-awareness; there are times throughout the day when I know I need to chill and reset my mood, and I feel like after I relax, that thing that’s irritating isn’t as bad as first thought, in my opinion, nothing good ever comes from acting right away take a moment to compose yourself.
Whole Food Snacks:
Healthy snacks are something that I try my best to incorporate into my daily life. People say that they are essential to keep energy levels up between meals and are also healthy and tasty. Today, we spotlight a simple and nutritious snack: apple slices with almond butter.
Slice an apple into thin rounds.
Spread a layer of almond butter on each slice.
You can also sprinkle some chia seeds or granola on top for added fibre and crunch.
Apples are rich in dietary fibre and antioxidants, while almond butter provides healthy fats and protein. You can buy almond butter in most supermarkets, but you can also make your own if you’re inclined.
here is a Recipe for those who enjoy making their own.
This snack is not only delicious but will also keep you feeling satisfied until your next meal.
Preheat your grill or grill pan. Season your salmon with a little olive oil, salt, and pepper. Grill each side for about 4-6 minutes depending on thickness.
While the salmon is grilling, prepare your salad. Combine mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and avocado in a large bowl.
Once the salmon is cooked to your liking, let it rest for a few minutes, then flake it into large pieces with a fork. Add the salmon to your salad.
Drizzle with olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper, then toss gently to combine.
Salmon is an excellent source of Omega-3 fatty acids, which are crucial for heart health. Combined with the fibrous vegetables and healthy fats from the avocado, this meal is not only delicious but also packs a punch in terms of nutrition.
P.S. Don’t do what I did and try to use a spatula to lift your salmon and then drop it on the ground. 😦
Hydration Habits:
It’s easy to forget to drink water throughout the day, but proper hydration is key to maintaining overall health. Here are a few tips to help you remember to hydrate:
It can be helpful to keep a water bottle with you either at your desk or in your bag. Seeing it frequently can serve as a reminder to take regular sips of water. For me, this is particularly important as I tend to gravitate towards tea, coffee, fizzy drinks, or anything but water when I’m out and about. However, by keeping water within arm’s reach, I am more likely to stay hydrated throughout the day.
There are several free apps available that send you reminders to drink water throughout the day.
Infuse your water with diluted juice, fruits, herbs, or cucumbers to make it more appealing if you find plain water uninteresting so my go to is always diluted juice and I’m incredibly particular about the type of juice I drink I found a lot of them to be either tasteless or fake tasting in terms of the flavour.
Remember, hydration aids in digestion and helps to maintain healthy skin, and can even boost your mood and energy levels!
Sleep Hygiene Tips:
Quality sleep is essential for both physical and mental wellbeing. Here are a few tips for enhancing your sleep quality:
Maintain a regular sleep schedule:
Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, even on weekends, to regulate your body’s internal clock.
Create a sleep-friendly environment: Keep your bedroom quiet, dark, and at a cool temperature for this I use blackout blinds a fan I also open the window 1 hour before I go to bed to cool the room down and to freshen the room. for other items that I cant really use but if you can then power to you you should consider using earplugs, an eye mask, or a white noise machine if needed.
Limit exposure to screens before bed: The light emitted by phones, computers, and TVs can interfere with your body’s production of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep. this something that I’m still working on I have made it into a bad habit to go on my phone and watch youtube videos before I go to sleep
Engage in a relaxing pre-sleep routine: This could include reading a book, listening to calm music, or practising a gentle yoga routine; for me books don’t relax me as I usually try to think about what has happened in the book and relaxing music is my go-to for learning/ researching and getting things done so for me things are reversed. Still, as I mentioned, I’m glued to my phone, so when I need to relax I usually listen to anime series breakdowns or World of Warcraft lore videos.
Sleep plays a vital role in good health and well-being. Getting enough quality sleep can protect your mental health, physical health, and quality of life.
Hello everyone! For this week’s Tips and Tricks Tuesday, we’re diving deep into three vital topics: managing your time, combatting fatigue, and maintaining a routine post-stroke. These three aspects have been integral in my journey, and I hope they’ll benefit you too!
Time Management:
We often feel the need to tackle all our tasks at once, but remember, prioritisation is key. Take a moment at the start of your day or the week to decide which tasks need immediate attention and which can wait. Implementing tools like calendars or planning apps can help organise your tasks, appointments, and important deadlines. But remember, it’s not about doing everything; it’s about focusing on what matters most to you. Equally crucial in managing your time is scheduling in periods of rest. Make sure to balance your tasks with periods of relaxation to prevent exhaustion and maintain your well-being.
Fatigue:
Post-stroke fatigue is a common yet often overlooked aspect of recovery. Recognising your personal signs of fatigue and giving your body the rest it needs is essential. It’s also vital to remember that physical activity can aid in managing fatigue. Regular, gentle exercises, as your healthcare provider advises, can increase your energy levels and contribute to your recovery. Sleep, too, plays a pivotal role in managing fatigue. Establishing good sleep habits, such as maintaining a consistent sleep schedule and creating a restful sleep environment, can dramatically impact your energy levels and overall health.
Routine:
Having a routine provides a sense of normalcy and control in a world that may seem upside down post-stroke. It structures your day, brings predictability, and can help improve your skills over time. Notably, a consistent routine can be a lifesaver regarding memory and managing medication schedules. By taking medications at the same time each day and incorporating them into your daily habits, like having breakfast or brushing your teeth, you’re more likely to remember them. You can also use visual reminders or tech tools, like smartphone alarms, to help manage your tasks and medications.
Remember, your recovery journey is uniquely yours, and these tips may not work for everyone. Take what resonates with you and leave what doesn’t. The goal is to discover what helps you best navigate your path to recovery.
Linked below are things to help track the things I’ve talked about here.
Things to help
Fitbit:
A tracker that shows me several metrics such as heart rate, blood pressure, step count, and my sleep, all metrics of which are good for recovering from fatigue and giving a sense of routine.
Google Calendar:
It is good for keeping track of what you are doing throughout the weeks and months and also gives you the option of Labeling your tasks which is great for prioritising tasks. plus its easy to link them with your devices ((phones, tablets, smartwatches and computers)
It’s good to write things down if I have 20 things to do and need help with either prioritising them or as motivation to get the things done its a great way to keep yourself motivated.
It tracks your mood throughout the day and lets you set specific goals and targets for yourself over the days, weeks and months and a bunch of different things that allow you to make changes and notice how different things going on in your life can impact you in your daily life.
Stay tuned for the next Tips and Tricks Tuesday, where we’ll delve into more aspects of life post-stroke. Until then, take care and remember: each day is a step towards progress, no matter how small.
The long road ahead 