By Emma Collins and Vicky Burgess, Encephalitis International
Our sincere thanks to those in the Encephalitis International community (patients, family members, carers, and volunteers) who contributed ideas to this blog. Your suggestions may help somebody affected by neurological illness feel less alone.
Recovering from neurological or brain illnesses, such as meningitis or encephalitis as just two examples, can feel isolating, scary, and daunting, and recovery may not be a straightforward path. Whilst recognising this, it can also be helpful to consider including enjoyable activities within your recovery to help you to prioritise good brain health and general well-being.
Creative and artistic activities: Art as therapy
Art can be a passion, career, or hobby, and no matter how you approach it, art and music contain the creativity that you may find helps to lift your spirits and support your mental health. There are so many ways to introduce creativity into your day, but here are a few examples to get you started:
- Painting or colouring: Colouring books are a relaxing way to focus your mind.
- Clay sculpting: Working with clay can enhance hand-eye coordination.
- Music: Learning an instrument or listening to your favourite tunes can stimulate brain activity and improve emotional well-being.
Physical activities: Moving towards recovery
Exercise is a powerful tool for brain recovery. Connection between the mind and the body means that physical activity can support and even improve brain function. Here are some examples of physical activities to give a try:
- Yoga or tai chi: These gentle exercises improve balance, coordination, and mindfulness.
- Dancing: Learning new dance moves combines physical activity with mental stimulation.
- Walking in nature: A simple walk in the park can reduce stress and improve focus.
- Cooking: Trying new recipes combines creativity with problem-solving.
- Gardening: Tending to plants is therapeutic and can improve focus.
Cognitive activities: Brain games to support recovery
Recovery can be a confusing and strenuous time for you and your family and taking a break to tackle a game or puzzle can be a welcome distraction. You may have a favourite family game that you would like to have a go at, or other suggestions are below:
- Puzzles: Jigsaw puzzles, Sudoku, or crosswords are excellent for improving concentration and spatial reasoning.
- Board games: Games like Scrabble or chess challenge your strategic thinking and vocabulary.
- Apps and digital games: Apps such as Wordle or even Candy Crush offer challenges and puzzles to engage your brain.
Socialise: Connection is at the centre of recovery
Neurological illness can be isolating, making you feel different to how you used to be, and may lead to a loss of connections through home, community, or work relationships. Aiming to spend as much time as possible with your friends and family can play an important role in your recovery and support good mental health. Try to still be a “social butterfly” in ways that feel comfortable to you—enjoy coffee meetups, gardening with others, nature walks, and talk about your day. Other suggestions are:
- Games nights: Host a games night with friends for a mix of fun and cognitive stimulation.
- Book clubs: Discussing books can improve comprehension and critical thinking.
- Volunteer work: Helping others can give you a sense of purpose and keep your mind active.
- Join patient organisations or support groups and get connected to others going through a similar experience: For example, Encephalitis International facilitates regular Peer Support Groups, which are well attended by the encephalitis community: “Getting involved in activities with Encephalitis International and meeting others who understand was the biggest help and turning point for me and it really helps not to feel alone so don’t be afraid to try it.” (Encephalitis International community member). Organisations such as The International Brain Tumour Alliance also offer similar groups.
On the note of connecting with others… to contribute to this blog, patients affected by one neurological illness—encephalitis—kindly sent their own ideas of what works for them and their support network. These were some of their suggestions:
- Pace yourself and be patient (recovery is often slow so don’t set targets that are too high) and celebrate small successes.
- Rest/sleep when you need to—your body will thank you! (And “cat naps” count.)
- Focus on nutrition and well-being (and exercise if possible).
- Prepare for setbacks along the way (recovery isn’t linear and symptoms fluctuate).
- Try keeping a diary to work through your thoughts and feelings, monitor your progress, and keep on top of those appointments (you may find it helpful to become best friends with “Alexa”).
- For bookworms, Kindle has some useful features, e.g., reminders of who each character is.
- Find support from others with similar experiences (e.g., online forums, Encephalitis International community members) and look for resources that help to explain your condition to others if you struggle.
- Laughter wherever possible can be a healthy way to express emotion and a way to share the more positive parts of recovery with those around you.
Final Thoughts
Recovery takes time, and in the words of one brain illness survivor, “I’ve learned that recovery is not just about regaining what was lost; it’s about adapting to a new version of yourself.” Where you can, lean on the love and support of family and friends.
Recovery after neurological illness is likely to involve a journey to find a new normal and hopefully eventually acceptance of difference, so that you can “embrace the new you.”