Synapses TBI Life Coaching

10/31/2025

10/29/2025

Every minute after a stroke matters. Quick action can mean the difference between recovery and lasting disability. This year’s theme says it all: Every Minute Counts.

Know the signs. Act F.A.S.T.
- Face drooping
- Arm weakness
- Speech difficulty
- Time to call emergency services

On New Year’s Eve 2015, I lost my father to a stroke. It was sudden, devastating, and changed our family forever. Sharing this today in his memory — and in hope that more lives can be saved through awareness and action.

Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. But with education, prevention, and rapid response, we can rewrite the story for others.

🔗 Learn more: world-stroke.org

Our vision is a world where people live free from the effects of stroke. This vision drives our global effort to improve stroke prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and support.

10/24/2025

Honored and excited to host the first community Support Group for Synapses TBI Life Coaching!! Looking forward to seeing you there!

10/23/2025

In a recent episode of The Kardashians, Kim Kardashian revealed that doctors found a small brain aneurysm during an MRI. She described it as “a miracle” that it hadn’t ruptured—highlighting how silent and serious these conditions can be.

What is a brain aneurysm?
A brain aneurysm is a weak spot in a blood vessel that bulges like a balloon. If it bursts, it can cause bleeding in the brain—a life-threatening emergency.

Symptoms of a ruptured aneurysm may include:
• Sudden, severe headache
• Nausea or vomiting
• Blurred or double vision
• Seizures
• Loss of consciousness
• Sensitivity to light

Unruptured aneurysms might cause:
• Pain behind one eye
• Numbness in the face
• Vision changes
• Seizures

Kim’s story is a powerful reminder that chronic stress can impact brain health. If you experience any of these symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.

10/22/2025

Cooler Weather = Brain Reboot? Here’s What Science Says

As the temps drop, your brain doesn’t just bundle up—it changes gears. Here’s how fall and winter weather affect your mind:

🧊 Slower thinking: Cold air can reduce nerve conduction speed, making reaction times and fine motor skills a bit sluggish.
🌥️ Mood dips & brain fog: Less sunlight = lower serotonin and vitamin D, which can lead to fatigue, low mood, and trouble focusing.
🛌 Sleepier rhythms: Shorter days boost melatonin, nudging your brain toward rest and hibernation mode.
🎨 Creative spark: Cooler seasons often inspire introspection and creativity—perfect for journaling, planning, or artistic work.
🧠 Extreme cold risks: Prolonged exposure can impair brain function, causing confusion or memory loss in severe cases.

So if you’re feeling foggy, sleepy, or extra reflective—it’s not just the weather. It’s your brain adapting. Stay warm, stay sharp, and maybe grab that extra cup of tea ☕.

Sources:
PubMed – Cold exposure and cognitive performance
Harvard Health – Seasonal mood changes
Cleveland Clinic – Vitamin D and brain health
Sleep Foundation – Melatonin and seasonal changes
Psychology Today – Creativity in fall
CDC – Hypothermia and brain function

10/14/2025

Music isn’t just background — it’s brainwork.

After brain injury, sound can feel overstimulating or deeply regulating. But when used intentionally, music activates multiple regions of the brain at once, including those responsible for emotion, memory, movement, and language.

Research shows that rhythm can support motor coordination, melody can enhance memory retention, and lyric reflection can foster emotional processing and self-expression. Even passive listening can help regulate the nervous system and reduce Neurofatigue.

I’ve found that tracking my musical experiences helps me notice what soothes, what stimulates, and what supports my healing. This printable tracker invites you to explore your own musical journey — one song, one sensation, one insight at a time.

Save, print, or share it with someone who’s navigating recovery. Every note counts. 🎶

10/10/2025

This is such a valuable resource, I had to share it with you all today.

Living with a brain injury can require many different types of resources, strategies, and supports, the range of which can be tremendous. Our What to Expect After Brain Injury guide can help. In the guide, you will find information on returning to work, financial planning, relationships, and more! Download the What to Expect After Brain Injury Guide here: https://bit.ly/4nOOh6i

10/09/2025

It's after 9 p.m. and as the day settles, let’s return to the body—softly, slowly, together.

Box Breathing (4-4-4-4)
Breathe in for 4…
Hold for 4…
Breathe out for 4…
Hold for 4…
Repeat 3–5 rounds, letting each breath soften your edges.

Somatic Grounding Exercise:
- Neck & Shoulders: Gently roll your shoulders back, then forward. Let tension melt.
- Hands: Press palms together, then release. Feel warmth.
- Feet: Wiggle your toes. Notice the ground beneath you.
- Heart: Place one hand over your chest. Whisper: “I am safe. I am held. I am healing.”

Let this be your closing ritual. No fixing. No striving. Just presence.
You are not alone in this rhythm. We wind down together—with grace, breath, and gentle power.

10/05/2025

The Power of Gentle Repetition in Brain Injury Recovery

After a brain injury, repetition isn’t just routine, it’s repair. Each time you practice a movement, a phrase, or a breathwork ritual, you're not just “trying again,” you're rewiring. Repetition builds new neural pathways, strengthens emotional regulation, and restores confidence in the body’s ability to adapt.

Today, choose to honor the quiet power of doing it again by:
- Repeating a calming breath when anxiety rises
- Rehearsing a phrase that helps with word recall
- Practicing a movement that once felt impossible

Recovery isn’t linear—it’s layered. And every gentle repetition is a vote for healing.

What’s one ritual or phrase you’ve repeated this week that helped you feel more grounded? Let’s celebrate the small wins together.

10/01/2025

Welcome October 🎃
Here are some exciting updates from Synapses TBI Life Coaching!

We’re expanding our circle of care! Starting this month, we’re launching a Family Support Group—a safe, empowering space for loved ones of brain injury survivors to connect, learn, and grow together. Join us on the last Friday of every month for guided conversations, practical tools, and shared healing.

PLUS — we’re making coaching more accessible When you combine any of our services—Holistic Health & Wellness Coaching, TBI Life Coaching, or Mindfulness Coaching—you’ll receive discounted pricing to support your full journey.

Whether you're a survivor, caregiver, or care team member, Synapses is here to walk with you—gently, intentionally, and with heart.

📅 DM to reserve your spot in the support group or learn more about bundled coaching options.

09/25/2025

All day, your brain’s been busy. Your body’s been holding space. Now it’s time to soften.

Try these science-rooted, soul-soothing rituals:
1. Breathwork reset – 4-7-8 breathing calms the nervous system in under 2 minutes.
2. Low-stimulus movement – Gentle stretches or a slow walk help release cortisol and restore flow.
3. Warm nourishment – A magnesium-rich meal (like leafy greens or sweet potatoes) supports relaxation and sleep.
4. Cue the calm – Healing music, scripture-based affirmations, or soft lighting signal safety to your brain.
5. Gratitude journaling – Just 3 things. Even small ones. It rewires your brain toward hope.

Remember: You don’t need to “fix” the day. Just honor it. Your body is listening. Your brain is healing. 🧠

09/19/2025

Today is Concussion Awareness Day!

Concussions are a form of traumatic brain injury (TBI), often caused by a sudden jolt, bump, or blow to the head—or even to the body. They can disrupt how we think, feel, move, and rest. And because symptoms aren’t always visible, many survivors go unseen and unheard.

What to Know:
- You don’t have to lose consciousness to have a concussion.
- Symptoms may show up right away—or slowly over hours or days.
- Common signs include headaches, confusion, dizziness, nausea, light/sound sensitivity, and emotional shifts.
- Recovery looks different for everyone. It may require rest, pacing, and gentle support from those who understand.

Why Awareness Matters:
Too often, survivors are told to “shake it off” or “push through.” But healing from a concussion takes time, validation, and trauma-informed care. When we recognize the signs and respond with compassion, we help prevent long-term harm.

Who Should Be Informed:
- Coaches, teachers, and caregivers
- Medical professionals and first responders
- Families, friends, and support teams

Let’s create a culture where brain injuries are taken seriously—and survivors are met with empathy, not doubt.