subject: Using Your Resources To Recover From A Stroke [print this page] Let us face it: it is hard work recovering from a stroke. It is a setback in your life that takes work to get back on track. It is hard to feel good about yourself again and regain that self confidence that you once had. The better you feel about yourself, the more you're apt to do. The more you do, the better you feel. It is a cycle. One great way to get started on the self confidence is to make the most of your rehabilitation. Rehabilitation is what brings about independence and this in turn brings about a social life again.
Any progress you make is a good thing and should be celebrated. Recognize progress and no matter how small it is, make the most of it. Do not be so hard on yourself when things do not go as they would have before. You cannot compare life the way it was before the stroke to the way it is now. You must work to achieve what is called a 'new normal'. While life would not be the same as before, that is ok. It can be better, different and even more fulfilling than it was before. You will not take things for granted as you used to in the past and will be more in tuned to your body and abilities than ever before. Even thought your enthusiasm may be big for improvement, you have got to allow yourself to rest and give yourself a break.
You cannot do this alone, know that now. Ok, maybe you can, but it will be much harder. Take advantage of the resources around you. Stroke support groups are a great place to start. There, you get to know people going through the same physical problems you are and maybe even some of the same emotional ones too. As individual as we all are, there are still some common denominators. Other stroke victims can help you out in ways that care givers just cannot. One thing that support members can do is give you suggestions on products that help you out. They also give you an available ear to tell your story to and future friends. Use these resources to give yourself a break and help make your recovery smoother.
