The Role of Mindfulness in Concussion Rehabilitation

By embracing mindfulness as part of a comprehensive rehabilitation plan, individuals can take an active role in their recovery and foster resilience for the future.

1. THE ROLE OF MINDFULNESS IN
CONCUSSION REHABILITATION
concussionspoteducation.com

2. Recovering from a concussion is a
multifaceted journey, requiring not
only physical but also mental and
emotional healing. While traditional
rehabilitation focuses on rest, gradual
reintroduction to activities, and
symptom management, mindfulness
practices have emerged as a powerful
complementary approach to support
recovery.
WHAT IS MINDFULNESS ?

3. UNDERSTANDING MINDFULNESS
Mindfulness is the practice of bringing your attention
to the present moment with a sense of openness and
non-judgment.
Involves techniques such as meditation, deep
breathing, and mindful movement, all of which can
help calm the mind and body.
Beneficial for individuals recovering from a
concussion, where mental clarity and emotional
stability are often disrupted.

4. HOW MINDFULNESS BENEFITS
CONCUSSION RECOVERY
Concussions often lead toConcussions often lead to
heightened stress and anxiety,heightened stress and anxiety,
especially when symptomsespecially when symptoms
persist. Mindfulness practicespersist. Mindfulness practices
have been shown to lowerhave been shown to lower
levels of cortisol, the body’slevels of cortisol, the body’s
stress hormone.stress hormone.
Headaches and otherHeadaches and other
physical discomforts arephysical discomforts are
common post-concussioncommon post-concussion
symptoms. Mindfulness cansymptoms. Mindfulness can
help individuals shift theirhelp individuals shift their
focus away from the pain orfocus away from the pain or
perceive it with lessperceive it with less
intensity.intensity.
Reducing Stress & Anxiety Managing Pain & Discomfort

5. STIGMA SURROUNDING
MENTAL HEALTH
Concussions can impairConcussions can impair
cognitive abilities, such ascognitive abilities, such as
memory, focus, and problem-memory, focus, and problem-
solving. Mindfulness exercises,solving. Mindfulness exercises,
particularly those focused onparticularly those focused on
attention training, can helpattention training, can help
strengthen neural pathwaysstrengthen neural pathways
involved in these functions.involved in these functions.
Irritability, mood swings, andIrritability, mood swings, and
feelings of frustration arefeelings of frustration are
common among individualscommon among individuals
recovering from a concussion.recovering from a concussion.
Mindfulness fosters emotionalMindfulness fosters emotional
awareness and resilience,awareness and resilience,
helping individuals respond tohelping individuals respond to
their emotions in healthier ways.their emotions in healthier ways.
Improving Cognitive Function Enhancing Emotional Regulation

6. Sleep disturbances are a frequentSleep disturbances are a frequent
issue following a concussion.issue following a concussion.
Mindfulness can improve sleep qualityMindfulness can improve sleep quality
by calming the mind and preparingby calming the mind and preparing
the body for rest. Practices such asthe body for rest. Practices such as
body scans or guided meditationsbody scans or guided meditations
before bed can create a relaxing pre-before bed can create a relaxing pre-
sleep routine, leading to moresleep routine, leading to more
restorative rest.restorative rest.
Promoting Better Sleep

7. INCORPORATING MINDFULNESS
INTO REHABILITATION
Start Small
Use Guided Resources
Combine with Physical Rehabilitation
Consult Your Healthcare Provider

8. THANK YOU