Energize your Brain
As I have learned to live with my Functional Neurological Disorder, I’ve discovered the importance of balancing and budgeting my energy. Do I have it all figured out? Not hardly! However, I am getting better at it all of the time. The longer I live with my brain’s default setting back on “normal”, the easier it is to keep my functioning at a manageable level.
Over time, I have found that there are some things that help my brain work at its best. Those things I think of as brain energizers. Not everything that energizes my brain will energize yours, and likewise, your energizers may do nothing for me. Discovering what helps you is a process, and things may change over time. Be open and curious about learning the best ways to optimize your brain function!
The home we moved to recently had a water feature with a waterfall and pond in the front yard. We were concerned about having an accessible body of water where small children could potentially drown, so we hired a landscaper to take out the pond and convert our water feature to a pondless system. It’s now one of my favorite things about our home. Shortly after the conversion was complete, we noticed that the waterfall frequently would stop working. We worried that maybe our pump was malfunctioning, but the installer said it was probably just that the water supply was evaporating and the low water volume in the reservoir caused the pump to turn off. We started adding water to the stream every day, but the problem persisted. Finally the installer came to observe the issue for himself. What he found was that a section of the stream bed liner was folded incorrectly and was diverting water away from the stream and into the garden. This depleted the water supply rapidly, causing the whole system to malfunction. Once the liner position was corrected, the normal function of our water feature was restored.
Sound familiar? My brain feels a lot like our water feature. It can be working beautifully, then something comes along and drains me and BOOM- malfunction. I think that one of the secrets of recovering from Functional Neurological Disorder is learning how to balance the flow of brain energizers against the zap of brain drainers. Recharging your brain frequently and minimizing factors that deplete you can lead to a steady state of normal function. Many people with FND have noticed that their function can vary significantly from day to day, or even hour to hour, especially in the early days of the disorder. I believe that this variability is due to the effects of brain energizers and drainers. Finding ways to keep our “reservoir” at an acceptable level is the key to functioning well.
Sometimes those of us with FND can get stuck in a dysfunctional pattern which becomes chronic. I think of this as the brain going into the default setting of malfunction. Restoring the correct default setting can be tricky. For me, I discovered that using a mirror to help my brain visualize what it is doing can reset my default. Other people find that help from a physical therapist or speech therapist can re-teach their brain the correct pathways.
Living with FND means that my brain easily slips into the wrong default setting if I’m not careful. When I recognize the feelings that are a signal that my brain is on the verge of malfunctioning, it’s time for emergency measures. The number one most important tool in my first-aid kit is rest. No matter how depleted I feel, a good night’s sleep makes everything new again. I try not to get to that point, but sometimes life just doesn’t cooperate. Many of the best things in life are unfortunately brain drainers. Holidays, celebrations, and family gatherings are wonderful, but they are also noisy, unpredictable, and stressful. When I know an event that I don’t want to miss is coming up, I do my best to fill up my reservoir as much as possible beforehand. Resting and minimizing my activity before the expected brain drain usually helps. It isn’t always easy to accomplish this, but it’s extremely important if you want to be able to function well during a demanding event.
It helps me to budget my energy well in advance of the anticipated event. If cooking and cleaning are involved, I try to schedule those tasks ahead of time. My freezer is my best friend when it comes to providing food for entertaining. I double and triple recipes when I cook, then store the extras in the freezer for times I’m too tired to prepare a meal or when I have guests and more food preparation than usual is necessary. Enlist help whenever possible. I’m not good about asking for help. I’ve always preferred to do everything myself, which is probably part of why I became depleted to the point of total body breakdown.
What drains your brain? For me, fatigue is probably the worst culprit. My brain works best earlier in the day. I try to schedule appointments and chores in the mornings. This wasn’t always true for me. When I was at my worst, I would wake up in a fog and needed a few hours to clear the cobwebs in my brain. Be willing to reassess what works best for you when you notice your function isn’t what you would like it to be.
Stressful situations, difficult emotions, and a negative attitude are other things that suck the energy out of me. Some brain drainers we can control, but sometimes they are just part of life. I can’t control when I get sick or have a headache (although healthy habits can minimize their occurrence), so when an unexpected difficulty shows up, it’s especially important for me to watch the factors I can control.
Be careful about who and what you allow to influence you. Just the presence of some people can drain me. You probably know some of those people too! As much as possible, limit your time with them. I’ve had to stop watching the news. Although I would like to stay informed, the impact of watching so many negative events that I have no control over just became too much for me. I don’t think my news avoidance has done too much damage to the world at large, but it sure has helped me feel better.
While I’m talking about negative influences, I want to say something that will probably draw fire from some fellow FND warriors. I am very concerned about the tone of most online support groups and I’ve had to minimize my time participating in them. I can understand the fear that comes with Functional Neurological Disorder, especially when one is newly diagnosed. However, focusing on symptoms in my opinion is very unhelpful. Yes, you can feel less alone if you know that others are suffering also, but I believe that thinking about symptoms too much can reinforce the dysfunction in our brains. Thinking about and sharing symptoms can increase anxiety also, which is a major brain drainer. I would much prefer to hear about the things that have helped other people manage and overcome their disorder.
Ugh- the focus on negativity is draining my brain right now. Let’s talk about energizers. Anything that builds me up, makes me stronger, increases resilience, and lets me enjoy life is a bonus for my brain. Creative projects stretch my brain like nothing else. When I am painting, sewing, gardening, decorating, or engaging in any of the other dozens of hobbies that I enjoy, my brain feels more excited and alive. Time seems to stand still when I am focused on creating. Hobbies can be like playtime for grown-ups. Is there something you’ve always wanted to do but never tried? Why not discover a new activity? Your brain will thank you!
Spending time in nature is another huge energizer for me. Outside is my favorite place to be! I’ve read theories about negative ions in nature or substances released by plants that make you feel better, but I’m not too interested in over-analyzing it. I just know it brings me serenity!
Children and pets can be highly energizing also. My granddaughter may be my favorite person. My husband is disappointed that he lost the #1 position, but what can I say, she’s newer and cuter! Her presence recharges me instantly. Thanks to modern technology, she can be with me with a touch of the FaceTime button. Life is good!
When I got my adorable dog six years ago, I thought she would become my emotional support animal. It turns out, I’m actually her emotional support person. She’s a very needy dog! Even so, she brightens my day every day. There’s something about the innocence and exuberance of children and animals that can help our burdens melt away. Do you have children or animals in your life that can lighten your outlook?
Spend some time today and make a list of your brain energizers and drainers. Think of how you might best manage these to create an environment where your brain can flourish!
Wishing you a day in the zone of great brain function!
2 Comments
I am in complete agreement with you about support groups. I’m not interested mainly because of the negative thinking that permeates them. I just got on Twitter a few weeks ago and I immediately noticed the negativity and I refuse to go down that road with them.
I have a dog and it took her over a year to figure out I wasn’t the same and she started to meet my new pace which I was getting used to myself. She brightens every day for me and I’m appreciative that I have her. She has adjusted very well, and I’m so proud of her!
Animals are the best, aren’t they? I have two little dogs that are my best support and comfort.
Avoiding negativity on social media isn’t easy, but I’m with you- I’m not interested in sabotaging my mental health.
All the best,
Max