I love reading, am a proper book worm. I’ve been advised that reading isn’t exactly restful for the recovering brain. But I’m at a loss of what to do to rest my brain other than sleep. TV isn’t much interest to me. I can’t just stare at the walls. Reading is my usual relaxation . What do I do?
Am trying to find the right balance of resting & exercise ( been too tired to do much exercise so far) but worry that I’m hindering my recovery.
Thanks in advance 
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You’ve discovered and taken part in one thing that has been an important part of my life since the horrible event that brought us all here.
Yes, it is reading and writing on this forum.
Our lives have been turned over by stroke, but we are still here and can work towards something worth having. We have much to share and a lot to teach each other.
This can be the first day of a new way of looking at things.
You are in good company. We can and do look after one another.
keep on keepin’ on
you’ll know when you need to rest.
just make sure that you take a break.
the whole thing takes time, it won’t be hurried.
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Reading great - listen to music too - then 10 minute workout / grounding / inverted ! good luck, Roland
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Hi there I was a big reader b4 my stroke 3 years ago . I started off just reading a couple of lines in a book then a paragraph then a page and so on now I can get through a couple of chapters 
if it’s something you enjoy doing it’s worth persevering I ve written a novel myself since my stroke so keep trying and just pace yourself
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That’s fabulous! I’ve read four books since my stroke three months ago and thoroughly enjoyed njoyed them , but felt I was doing wrong
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I don’t think you’re doing anything wrong if you enjoy reading do it I find it’s an escape from stroke all the best
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@Seddso I also enjoyed reading in the days before my stroke and have recently bought myself a Kindle which has changed my life. I love that you can change the front type and size and you can alter the background to whatever suits you. You can also play games and do puzzles if that appeals to you.
I’m so pleased that I’ve got my Kindle, although before my stroke I much preferred reading a real book and would never have used a kindle.
I hope that you find a solution that suits you.
Regards Sue
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@Seddso a recovering brain needs plenty of rest and the best way to do that is do nothing. Reading, watching TV etc are all stimulabts for the brain but that doesn’t mean you can’t read if you want to. You may find it tiring but just rest afterwards if you do.
I couldn’t read more than a word or 2 following my stroke and i was a proper bookworm pre stroke. It took me 2 years to get through my first book but i am now reading a bit more.
You’ll find a ldvel.of activity that is right for you. If reading for half hour is too much then just read for 15 mins and build up from there.
Happy reading.
Ann
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That’s exactly what I was thinking. It takes my mind off the panic and obsession
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Oh yes I love my kindle. My limbs ache since the stroke and holding a book can be tiresome so I balance my kindle in a cushion.
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Have you considered audiobooks? You can download them for free from the library (using your library card) and the apps allow you to set a timer so that you don’t miss too much when you fall asleep!
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I also love my kindle
I think if we do what we love, then, when it comes to work*
(* by work I mean we need to address our rehab… but we can chip away, bit by bit)
then we can work with a joyful heart !!!
Happy reading, Roland
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I had my Stoke/TIA 9 years ago, I couldn’t talk/text/phone for 6 days, back at work now, the thing I found was a word search’s book helped me more than anything as had no confidence to speak and doubted myself, you will get there.
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Apologies should have signed off better, Good Luck
Phil
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Stroke definitely knocks your confidence.
You’ll find bit by bit it comes back as you do stuff.
Be kind to yourself, give yourself time.
keep on keepin’ on
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But that’s what stroke recovery is all about. Retraining your brain to do all things you could do before your stroke, or at least get as much of it back that you can. And to do that you have to do it repetatively, repeat, repeat, repeat 
And if its something you love doing, all the better for sparks the memory 
Like you, I’m an avid reader, but it was extremely difficult to read in those first weeks and months. Just to read a complete sentence to the full stop was a constant battle of wills.
Gradually I got there, completing a whole line, then a sentence, paragraph, whole page to whole chapters. It took a couple of years before I was able to read a whole book in a couple of days
Just as a guide; Rest can be anything from 5mins to an hour+ between activities throughout the day. Depending on how strenuous or mentally taxic the activities are.
Sometimes its just a matter of sitting for 10mins with your eyes closed between tasks. Just to shut out all visual stimulation coming to the brain for those few minutes. Other times you might need to take a nap for an hour. Shutting down brain whilst it processes all it’s taken in.
Lorraine
Stroke Improvement Group
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Just popping by to say hi @Philhopetohelp hope you’re doing ok after your stroke. I used word searches too. I still do them now but I always enjoted a word search pre stroke too.
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writing
A tool I use a lot is called a Thesaurus, it is collections of words with similar or inter-related meanings. It can help you find the exact word you are looking for, or an alternative so you don’t have to keep repeating yourself.
Perhaps a little technical, but just getting your ideas written down can help sort out your priorities. Sharing what you write will give you feedback that also is extremely useful.
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I can relate to what you are saying. I love reading and have done more of it post stroke. I do set boundaries though so that i only read for entertainment in bed and a little factual stuff some afternoons. I feel grateful that i am able to as so many survivors struggle to read.
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That sounds like the ideal balance for me. I will try that.
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