Follow us: hu Improving life after brain injury Need to talk? 0808 800 2244 Donate Home About brain injury Individuals Brain injury and me How to manage isolatio... Share your story Share your story with us to help others affected by brain injury How to manage isolation after brain injury Top tips to help you cope with and overcome the challenges of isolation. We’ve put together a list of top tips to help you cope with and overcome the challenges of isolation, suggested by brain injury survivors and experts in the field. Remember that different things will work for different people, so don’t be afraid to experiment! Try a few of the tips, adjust them to suit you and keep track of your feelings to help build your plan for managing isolation. Find things to do If you are isolated at home, make a list of things you want to do and the goals you want to reach, big or small, to give your days structure and purpose. Get outside if you can - fresh air is good for mental health, and small day-to-day interactions such as saying hello to people who pass by can help you to feel less isolated. Consider volunteering, which can be very rewarding, allowing you to develop skills while meeting people who share your interests. Focus on the little things Try to take time out to appreciate small things, especially in nature, such as watching the clouds in the sky. Remember that recovery after brain injury takes time and any improvements, even if they are small, are worth celebrating. Try mindfulness - a technique that allows you to focus on how you are feeling in the present moment rather than being distracted by things around you or unhelpful thoughts. Seek professional support If your isolation is causing you to experience negative emotions such as depression or anxiety, talk to your GP. They may be able to refer you to specialist services such as counselling, psychotherapy, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) or a neuropsychologist. You can also contact the Headway helpline on 0808 800 2244 or helpline@headway.org.uk to talk through your feelings and get guidance on further support if you need it. Above all, remember that things can and do improve... While brain injury can cause many difficult changes in your life, it is important to remember that things can improve over time and that you will gradually come to adjust to things. It can help to remember that even if you are feeling isolated now, things can improve over time and you may form friendships and good memories even in your ‘new’ life with brain injury. We hope that this information offers some useful tips for coping with isolation after brain injury. Browse the links below to find out more about our A life of lockdown? campaign and the issue of isolation. Thank you to all of the brain injury survivors who contributed to this factsheet by sharing their experiences of isolation after brain injury. Back to stories index A life of lockdown? 'A life of lockdown?' will focus on social isolation after brain injury, a problem we know has been exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic. Find out more Mindfulness Training after Brain Injury with Dr Niels Detert In this video, Consultant Clinical Neuropsychologist Dr Niels Detert explains the foundation of mindfulness, how to practice it and leads the viewer through an interactive mindfulness session. Find out more Supporting you From local groups or branches, our Emergency Fund, Brain Injury Identity Card, helpline and much more, find out how Headway can support you after brain injury. Find out more Relationships after brain injury Find out more Brain Injury Identity Card Our Brain Injury Identity Card provides survivors with added confidence in social situations, while helping them to get the right support if they come into contact with the criminal justice system. Find out more Related resources Isolation after brain injury - top tips for coping Friends of Headway Individual membership Join/Renew Contact Us t: 0115 924 0800 e: enquiries@headway.org.uk Help us improve life after brain injury. Donate Improving life after brain injury 0808 800 2244 Call our free helpline 9am - 5pm, Monday to Friday. 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