Podcast

We are Mark and Jules and we are here to help people navigate life following a brain injury. In 2012, Mark suffered a brain injury in a freak fall whilst on holiday and although he recovered physically, nothing prepared us for the mental side effects this injury would cause.

In this episode, we’ll discuss three common side effects of acquired brain injuries: memory loss, slurred speech, and fatigue. Here we’ll explain what these side effects are and how to recognise when you are experiencing them.

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs) can have a profound impact on mental health and emotional well-being. People who have experienced TBIs often face various psychological challenges, including low mood, anxiety, and frustration/anger.

People living with a brain injury experience various cognitive, emotional, and sensory challenges. In this episode, we are discussing OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder), noise sensitivity and avoidance/isolation.

Do you struggle to concentrate during conversations after suffering a traumatic brain injury? Are you tripping over more often? Do you wallow and long for the life you used to have? In this episode, we explain how to navigate grief and manage other common side effects.

Fatigue is one of the most common side effects of a brain injury and something that affects our lives on a daily basis. It can be from a minor spate of yawning in the middle of a conversation to a full-blown wipeout of all human functions, and, worst of all, it can hit at any point. Find out how we learnt to understand fatigue.

In this episode, we'll be discussing common triggers for fatigue that Mark experienced and are common within the brain injury community. It can be different for everyone, but understanding what your triggers are can help you manage them on a day-to-day basis.

Managing fatigue is not an optional activity, but a necessary strategy to live a happier, healthier life. It doesn't just impact the BI survivor, it can affect the lives of their family and friends, too. In this episode, we've shared some techniques we use to help make things a little bit easier.

Just as every challenge we face has a solution, managing fatigue has its own as well. In this episode, we talk about different strategies to help you conserve energy and the importance of resting on a good day. Make sure you listen back to find out what the fatigue battery is.

Self-care is about looking after yourself both physically and mentally. It's essential to make time for yourslef every day. In this episode, we explore the self-care secrets that focus on sleep patterns, eating a balanced diet, getting some exercise and practicing mindfulness.

After a brain injury, you are probably having to make adjustments and learn new coping skills in your daily life. We share how to take small positive steps every day and how personal development can play a big part in brain injury recovery.

Is your brain injury stopping you from living your life? In the start, when we didn't have any knowledge or support on the hidden disabilities of a brain injury, it changed everything for us! But it doesn't have to. By recognising your triggers, making adjustments and focusing on what you can do, you can still live your best life!

Setting goals and celebrating your wins is key to living life on your terms. Goals don't have to be huge but will help you feel good about yourself and keep positive. Join us as we share some of our expertise on goal setting and the importance of this following a brain injury.

Hidden disabilities are just that. Hidden! They include fatigue, memory loss, OCD, anxiety and personality disorders. Mark is a high-functioning brain injury survivor, so his hidden disabilities are even harder to spot. They can also be difficult to accept when they get in the way of life.

We can only go so far in educating family, friends and work colleagues about the hidden side effects that a brain injury may present. Hidden disabilities include fatigue, memory loss, OCD, anxiety and personality disorders. But as some relationships drift, the right people will stay with you.

After a brain injury, life can feel like it's let you down. Becoming all too easy to be consumed by a negative mindset, damaging your recovery. This is why it is important to believe you can grow and change, becoming the person you want to be.

Controlling emotions can be difficult after a brain injury, as they can change rapidly or become exaggerated. Survivors can feel emotions such as: depression, sadness, anxiety, frustration, anger, a sense of loss, apathy, stress, or issues with empathy.

Even the simplest of things are often more difficult following a brain injury. From finding your keys to keeping track of appointments and medication. Fatigue and memory loss can hinder your day to day, so here are some tips on remembering to remember.

Returning to work following a brain injury can be a huge challenge for many survivors. The workplace can suddenly become a more demanding and over-stimulating environment. And household chores, a mountain of challenges.

The brain is a complex organ with many functions, and a better understanding of it can help us deal with the effects of a brain injury. An injury to certain lobes can have a devastating impact on a person's life so, let's explore some simple and common themes.

Our brains are faster than any computer on the planet, but like technology, glitches can slow things down. In this latest episode, we will be talking about the different ways brain injury can affect our ability to process information.

It's been a year since we first launched Brain or Shine! Since then we've published over 20 podcast episodes and blog entries and connected with thousands of people affected by brain injury. Join us as we reflect on the first 12 months and look ahead to plans for the next year.

Taking some time to stop and gather the facts, could be the key to making the right decision instead of trying to act on the spot! Diaries, calendars and planning tools are also useful tools to relieve stress & anxiety in those moments of choice.

Survivors can experience so many emotions, from sadness to grief, anger to depression, frustration to apathy. It can be difficult to the unpredictable spiral of emotions rapidly changing. Following these techniques can help replace the negative emotions with a happier you.