Falling off your recovery plan and what to do to get back on track

It’s common from time to time to fall off track with your recovery plan. This could be due to a number of reasons such as reduced motivation, becoming disheartened by lack of progress, unexpected events arising like illness or the busyness of life getting in the way.

Consistent participation in formal and self-directed rehabilitation takes time, patience and persistence. Here are some strategies to help you get back on the recovery train if you fall off.

Be kind to yourself

The rehabilitation journey can be a roller coaster. Acknowledge the hard work you have put in to get you to where you are. Practice kindness, self-forgiveness and self-compassion on a daily basis. Know that you are doing the very best you can in every moment.

Consider how you want to feel

It can help to focus on the feeling you’re seeking not just the outcome. How do you want to feel when you wake up, during the day and when you go to bed at night? Will achieving XYZ bring about this feeling? When you go off track, consider is there another way to help you experience that feeling such as leisure activities, being in nature or doing something you love.

Return to your why

Motivation comes from understanding what drives us. Have a think about your why, what is the reason behind striving towards a particular goal? Are you improving your walking so you can go on holiday or be able to walk on the beach? Are you working on your hand function so you can experience the joy of holding your grandchild in your arms? Get behind the why and your overall vision, this will help drive you forward.

Keep it simple

Try to chunk down your goal or plan into smaller steps to reduce overwhelm. Try selecting one goal or area of focus, then when you feel ready add another goal to your plan. You can use the goal setting tool on enableme to break down your recovery plan into actionable steps.

Seek out your support crew

Know your cheer squad. Who supports, inspires, encourages and lifts you up? Spend time with those people and ask for support when you need it to keep you moving forward. You can also utilise the goal setting function on enableme and call StrokeLine for guidance and coaching on your recovery plan.

Take action

While it would be wonderful if we could achieve our goals with minimal effort, the reality is that most things require consistent work over time. Chunk down your plan into small steps and aim to do something every day that moves you closer to your desired outcome.

Remember it’s a marathon not a sprint

Try to release any unrealistic expectations you have on yourself and practice patience. Recovery for most is a lifelong journey. Take each day as it comes and keep your eye on your overall vision. If your confidence gets knocked, don’t let that stop you from moving forward.

Do what brings you joy

Balance is crucial. Stroke recovery is not always a straightforward upward journey. There may be bumps in the road and waves that you have to ride. Remember to do what brings you joy and increases your quality of life. Remember to have fun along the way.

Don’t forget to celebrate

Celebrate your wins no matter how small. Each step is moving you closer to where you want to go and each small step contributes to the bigger picture. Take the time to reflect on your achievements and progress.

It’s not uncommon to fall off track in pursuit of goals. When we go off track from our original plan or are taken down a different path, we have the opportunity to learn valuable lessons about ourselves. Don’t beat yourself up, take a deep breath and know that you’re taking these life lessons with you as you continue on your journey.

Do you have any tips for getting back on track with your plan? Share them with the enableme community in the comments below. If you’re seeking personalised assistance to get back on track with your recovery plan, StrokeLine is here to support you on 1800 787 653.

Written by Simone Russell, Occupational Therapist for StrokeLine