Hobbies to Help You Heal from Traumatic Brain Injuries

Having a TBI can be very frustrating as it can and most probably has taken the life you knew and changed it in some major capacities. For me, I was in nursing school and then all of a sudden I was home on the farm and that life I had planned out was no longer in my stead. So as I sat at home healing knowing I would not be able to work, time went on I started to realize things that interested me that did not interest me before. My likes started to change and I began wanting to learn and to grow in new things. If I could encourage anyone in healing and living with a brain injury it would be to get doing some hobbies, start to find out what it is you are good at. Don’t tell me its nothing, believe me there is something. Maybe you want to read more, I joined a book club with some friends where we would take our time reading then come together and watch the movie that was made from the book and discuss it. This gave me such a boost in socializing, but also getting me to read again which is something that took me years to get used to again. Maybe you want to fish or be in the outdoors. Being in nature has helped imensley and taking time to be quiet especially whent things feel like they bombard me mean a lot. Crafts, I love doing wood working and painting it is something I never would have pictured myself doing but it has helped me imensly in being creative and cheerful, I have even had the opportuinity to sell some of my work in markets. Caring for animals, I got my dog Sadie after my accident and I have been thankful for her from day one, animals can care for us in ways we cant understand. She has been loyal and constant in keeping me out of danger where she barks when things are wrong to let me know, she is just there as a companion and fills my heart with her constant kindness in loving me. Walking with her and playing in the yard has become a great pass time for me that I enjoy. Horse back riding has been a great hobby for many peple with disabilities and is a great therapy. Dance can be a way to release and let go, singing the same, whenever I need time away from talking I go into my car and sing my heart out, somehow it does not take up the same energy as talking does. Games find mind games or board games you can do to challenge your mind but not overwhelm you.

All of these hobbies can be great in getting you back into the groove of life again, they can be a calmness to you in a busy world especially with a brain injury. Find what it is that gives you peace and take hold of it, this will help in your recovery and build your confidence back up in ways you never thought possible.