Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) - Our Mind, Body, and Skin Connection

As a Certified Health Coach part of my mission is educating people about how the body, mind, and skin all function together. I think it’s important to understand how important the brain is to everything we do.  It is an amazing three-pound organ that controls all functions of the body, interprets information from the outside world, and embodies the essence of the mind and soul. Intelligence, creativity, emotion, and memory are a few of the many things governed by the brain. When the head suffers any kind of trauma the brain can be negatively impacted.

What is a TBI?  A traumatic brain injury is a brain dysfunction caused by an outside force, usually a violent blow to the head.  Most often the cause can be sports-related or the result of a car accident.  A simple concussion can also result in a brain injury.  Research shows that there are more than 300,000 cases documented in the US per year. Many other cases are not documented or treated.  The recovery and disability percentage rates change on a daily basis. 

It is estimated that 5.3 million people in the US currently have a long-term or lifelong need for help to perform the daily activities of living.

I think this is a critical topic when we talk about our mind, body, and skin connection.   I want to offer hope and assistance to anyone that is or has been impacted by a TBI. 

In 2016, I was involved in a car accident with a distracted driver.   He hit me head-on and when attempting to regain control of his vehicle hit the car again sending me into a spin.  The airbags had deployed and popped; so there was no protection left.  I hit my head on the driver window and steering wheel several times until the car hit a 2x4 in someone’s front yard.  I had multiple injuries.  One of which was a TBI.  While I’m grateful that the injuries were not life-threatening; this accident has significantly altered the trajectory of my life. 

It’s difficult to describe to people all of the things that happen when you sustain a TBI.  Many symptoms are so subtle that people may not recognize the changes.  The reality is that I still have times when I’m just pissed off for no reason, lack self-confidence, and the passion for life I used to have. It makes me so angry; because I am so grateful and thankful that I have this second chance.   I have an amazing husband and family and they are very supportive. 

I tell this tale not to elicit pity or scare anyone.  I offer hope to all who have experienced a TBI.  Over the past five years, I have regained approximately 85 percent of my previous brain function.  I am blessed and grateful that I have been given a second chance.

There are some strategies that I have learned while working with my neuropsychologist and researching what a TBI does to the body and brain.  There are several things that I have found to be critical to have optimal brain function. 

These following things have also helped limit the recurrence of symptoms including brain fog, migraines, dizziness, irritability, sleep disruption, lack of motivation, self-confidence, trouble focusing and concentrating, and a general feeling of sadness and melancholy.  I used to love a challenge and would put 110% of myself into everything.  These are purely recommendations and may or may not work for you.

• Take a supplement with CoQ10 and grape seed extract.
• Get 6-8 hours of quality sleep. Use a tracker that shows your sleeping intervals to assess.
• Get 45-60 minutes of exercise in your target heart range for 5 days a week. It doesn’t have to happen in a gym.  There are so many ways to get your heart rate into your range.
• Stretch for a minimum of 10 minutes per day.
• Sit in silence (away from phone, TV, etc) for 5 minutes a day.
• Practice belly breathing. Breathe in through the nose letting your stomach extend for a count of 5, hold for 20 and exhale through the mouth for a count of 10 seconds.
• Get a daily dose of laughter.
• If possible, limit computer use and electronic use to less than 2 hours a day.
• Journal
• Meditate for at least 10 mins per day.
• Read or listen to 20 minutes of something positive. Hal Elrod, Mel Robbins, and Tony Robbins are some of my favorites.
• Eat a menu full of nutrient-rich foods. Even if you don’t like the foods now, you can train your body to fall in love with spinach, brussel sprouts.  I promise.  Your body will stop craving sugar and will crave healthy foods.  DON’T DIET.  They don’t work.

There are so many ways to help your body heal.  These are some of the ways I’m healing mine.  For more information and guidance please reach out to me at [email protected] or visit my website at www.lambertandlambertcoaching.com.

Please keep in mind that what I suggest is not a substitution for going to a physician for medical care.  Your body is like a car.  You need to perform periodic maintenance to keep it in shape.  Regular checkups are part of this maintenance.