If you’ve experienced a stroke, you know it can be a scary and life-changing event. But there are positive changes you can make to help you recover and prevent future strokes. By discussing with your doctor, most stroke survivors could benefit from incorporating these five healthy lifestyle changes:
1. Get active through exercise: Start with what you can manage and aim to gradually increase. Walking is an excellent choice, and incorporating strength-training workouts, stretching, and balance training can be beneficial. Joining group exercises, like yoga or water aerobics, can also provide motivation.
2. Focus on plant-based nutrition: Adopting a long-term eating plan, such as the Mediterranean or DASH diet, which include plenty of vegetables, fruit, beans, legumes, nuts, and moderate amounts of fish and poultry, can be helpful in reducing the risk of another stroke.
3. Prioritize restorative sleep: Try to maintain good sleep hygiene, such as avoiding eating and drinking before bedtime, and keeping the bedroom cool, dark, and quiet. Talk to your doctor if these steps don’t improve your sleep.
4. Manage stress: High levels of stress are common after a stroke, and finding stress-relieving activities like exercise, meditation, or therapy can be helpful.
5. Stay socially connected: Maintaining social connections can be challenging after a stroke, but it is crucial for overall health. Reaching out to friends on the phone, inviting them over, planning outings, or joining groups with shared interests can help maintain social connections.
By incorporating these healthy lifestyle changes, stroke survivors can reduce the risk of future strokes and promote overall well-being.
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