Stroke Recovery Rehab

Avoiding Learned Helplessness After Stroke

Learned helplessness is an underrated challenge in stroke recovery. How do you push yourself safely when you’re not sure what your true abilities may be? In this episode, I share an article I wrote with my friend and fellow stroke survivor Nir Peled on the importance of not shying away from the challenges that stroke recovery brings. To learn more about Nir or any of the topics covered here, be sure to review the links and resources in this article: https://strokerecoveryrehab.com/2026/02/01/embracing-the-challenges-of-stroke-recovery/ [https://strokerecoveryrehab.com/2026/02/01/embracing-the-challenges-of-stroke-recovery/] For more stories like this from stroke recovery, read the free monthly newsletter: https://strokerecoveryrehab.substack.com/ [https://strokerecoveryrehab.substack.com/] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit strokerecoveryrehab.substack.com [https://strokerecoveryrehab.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Navigating the Emotional Challenges After Stroke

Stroke can fundamentally change who we are, how we process information, and how we react to situations. Feelings of irritability, confusion, anger, and anxiety [https://www.stroke.org/en/about-stroke/effects-of-stroke/emotional-effects-of-stroke] are common after stroke. I was oblivious to any mental or emotional challenges I might face in stroke recovery during my time in the hospital and inpatient rehab. However, once I returned home and my physical abilities did not come back as quickly as I wished them to, the mental and emotional side of recovery proved to be a much more significant challenge than any physical exercise. In this episode, I share my thoughts on why the emotional aspect of recovery after stroke can be harder than the physical side and three strategies to support emotional recovery after stroke. For more information on post-stroke anger, depression, or any of the strategies I’ve highlighted here, be sure to review the links and resources that I’ve included in this article: https://strokerecoveryrehab.com/2023/06/01/navigating-the-emotional-challenges-after-stroke/ [https://strokerecoveryrehab.com/2023/06/01/navigating-the-emotional-challenges-after-stroke/] For more stories like this from stroke recovery, read the free newsletter at: https://strokerecoveryrehab.substack.com/ [https://strokerecoveryrehab.substack.com/] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit strokerecoveryrehab.substack.com [https://strokerecoveryrehab.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Returning to the Gym After Stroke

Stroke survivors know that recovery doesn’t end when the physical and occupational therapy sessions end. Instead, you’re often on your own to find a way to rebuild your strength after a stroke, and the gym can be an important part of that. In this episode, I share some of my challenges with working out in a gym after stroke and four strategies that helped me feel comfortable in the gym again. For more information on myo-reps or the benefits of unilateral training, be sure to review the links and resources that I’ve included in this article: https://strokerecoveryrehab.com/2026/03/01/returning-to-the-gym-after-stroke/ [https://strokerecoveryrehab.com/2026/03/01/returning-to-the-gym-after-stroke/] For more resources and stories from stroke recovery, read the free newsletter at https://strokerecoveryrehab.substack.com/ [https://strokerecoveryrehab.substack.com/] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit strokerecoveryrehab.substack.com [https://strokerecoveryrehab.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

A Simple Nutrition Plan for Stroke Survivors: The 800-gram Challenge

After stroke, just the thought of planning a meal, cooking it, and cleaning all the dishes felt overwhelming for me. It seemed impossible that I could do all of that in a timely manner. As I was stuck at home with little energy to cook and no ability to go to the grocery store alone, I was reminded of the 800-gram challenge, a simple nutritional framework that encourages you to eat more fruits and vegetables. In this episode, I share my experiences with this simple diet challenge, which became the nutritional plan that I leaned on in the earliest weeks and months of recovery. For more information on nutritional strategies for stroke survivors, such as the 800-gram challenge, be sure to review the links and resources that I’ve included in this article: https://strokerecoveryrehab.com/2023/07/01/a-simple-nutrition-plan-for-stroke-recovery-the-800-gram-challenge/ [https://strokerecoveryrehab.com/2023/07/01/a-simple-nutrition-plan-for-stroke-recovery-the-800-gram-challenge/] For more stroke recovery resources, read the free newsletter at https://strokerecoveryrehab.substack.com/ [https://strokerecoveryrehab.substack.com/] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit strokerecoveryrehab.substack.com [https://strokerecoveryrehab.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Learning How the Brain Heals

In this episode, I’ll recap an article I recently wrote with the Brain Injury Association of America [https://biausa.org/], reflecting on some lessons learned through four years of stroke recovery [https://biausa.org/public-affairs/media/acceptance-and-patience-after-stroke]. I share some thoughts on how neuroplasticity provides hope for stroke survivors, how to embrace change after stroke, and how to learn from setbacks in the years-long journey that is recovery after stroke. For more information about the Brain Injury Association and to find their many resources on brain injury and stroke recovery, visit the association’s website at BIAUSA.org [https://biausa.org/]. For more stroke recovery resources, read the free monthly newsletter at https://strokerecoveryrehab.substack.com/ [https://strokerecoveryrehab.substack.com/] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit strokerecoveryrehab.substack.com [https://strokerecoveryrehab.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]