Stroke Recovery Rehab

Blair Ames
  • 5.0 (4)
  • MENTAL HEALTH
  • UPDATED SEMIMONTHLY

Your short, five-minute insight into life after stroke, offering practical tips to support recovery. strokerecoveryrehab.substack.com

  1. Rising to the Challenges of Stroke Recovery

    4D AGO

    Rising to the Challenges of Stroke Recovery

    After a stroke, it’s easy to say no to new activities or challenging situations. But while that may feel good in the moment, the comfort trap of learned helplessness is often where progress in recovery slows down. In this episode, I’m joined by Nir Peled, a stroke survivor and author of the Beyond 100% newsletter, to discuss key takeaways from an article we wrote, Embracing the Challenges of Stroke Recovery. *Note: This podcast was originally recorded as a Substack Live event on February 16, 2026. Key Moments: (1:15) About Nir (4:30) Learning From Near-Death Experiences (7:25) Why Getting Too Comfortable is a Trap (12:00) It’s Easy to Say No After a Stroke (17:05) The Importance of Rest (17:45) The “Don’t Get Injured” Rule (22:15) Listening to Your Subconscious vs. External Voices (24:05) The “Learning From Experts” Rule (29:00) Giving Yourself Grace (31:10) How to Connect With Nir 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

    32 min
  2. The Dangers of Setting Deadlines in Stroke Recovery

    FEB 10

    The Dangers of Setting Deadlines in Stroke Recovery

    The first year after a stroke is often held up as this holy grail of how long it will take to recover. While it is true that significant progress can be made in year one, recovery after stroke doesn’t end after 12 months. You can continue to see and feel improvements in your abilities for many years after stroke. In this episode, I share some thoughts on stroke recovery timelines and why setting aggressive deadlines in your recovery can sometimes backfire. For more information on stroke recovery timelines, be sure to review the links and resources that I’ve included in this article: https://strokerecoveryrehab.com/2024/08/01/the-dangers-of-setting-deadlines-in-stroke-recovery/ For more stroke recovery resources, read the free monthly newsletter: 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

    7 min
  3. The Benefits of Walking Backward in Stroke Recovery

    JAN 27

    The Benefits of Walking Backward in Stroke Recovery

    In this episode, I share my experiences with walking backward in recovery after stroke and how this simple exercise turned out to be pretty helpful. Studies show that stroke survivors may benefit from walking backward in a variety of ways. For example, there’s evidence that this practice can improve a stroke survivor’s balance and gait – a person’s manner of walking. In my experience, the cliché “The faster you can move backward, the faster you can move forward” was certainly true for me. For more information on how walking backward can help stroke survivors, be sure to review the links and resources that I’ve included in this article: https://strokerecoveryrehab.com/2023/09/01/the-many-benefits-of-walking-backward-in-stroke-recovery/ For more stroke recovery resources, read the free monthly newsletter: 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

    6 min
  4. 10 Ideas to Sleep Better After Stroke

    JAN 20

    10 Ideas to Sleep Better After Stroke

    A good night’s sleep is one of the most important things that can improve recovery after a stroke since it’s critical for neuroplasticity. Unfortunately, a common side effect of stroke is trouble sleeping. In turn, every other aspect of recovery is subsequently made more challenging than it already is without a good night’s sleep. In this episode, I share my frustrating challenges with sleep after stroke and some of the supplements and simple lifestyle changes that helped me to sleep better after stroke For more information on these strategies to improve sleep after stroke, be sure to review the links and resources that I’ve included in this article: https://strokerecoveryrehab.com/2023/04/01/10-ideas-to-sleep-better-after-stroke/ For more stroke recovery resources, read the free monthly newsletter: https://strokerecoveryrehab.substack.com/ *The information provided on supplements in this episode and on others is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Consult your physician before starting any new supplement regimen. 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

    10 min
  5. Why Constraint-Induced Therapy is Important After Stroke

    12/31/2025

    Why Constraint-Induced Therapy is Important After Stroke

    In this episode, I’ll discuss my experiences with constraint-induced therapy after stroke and how this can be an effective practice for stroke survivors. Constraint-induced movement therapy is exactly as it sounds – restraining one arm behind the back, so the stroke-affected arm and hand must perform the required activity. Although some rehabilitation facilities provide specialized constraint-induced movement therapy sessions, it’s a simple training exercise that can be done at home. The modified version of constraint-induced therapy can be done by placing one arm behind your back without restraint and forcing yourself to use your stroke-affected hand for any activity. For more information on constraint-induced therapy practices, be sure to review the links and resources I’ve included in this article: https://strokerecoveryrehab.com/2024/04/01/why-constraint-induced-therapy-is-important-after-stroke/ For more stroke recovery resources, read the free monthly newsletter at 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

    6 min
  6. Simple Breathing Exercises to Manage Anxiety After Stroke

    12/18/2025

    Simple Breathing Exercises to Manage Anxiety After Stroke

    Anxiety is a common side effect of stroke, especially considering people can worry about having another stroke. Research indicates that roughly 20% of stroke survivors may have anxiety-related issues. After stroke, I’ve found a variety of breathing exercises to be helpful in navigating the frustrating challenges that a stroke can cause, including anxiety. In this episode, I’ll be discussing two simple breathing patterns that have helped me work through some post-stroke anxiety. For more information on post-stroke anxiety and the breathing exercises I’ve mentioned, be sure to review the links and resources in this article: https://strokerecoveryrehab.com/2024/09/01/simple-breathing-practices-to-manage-anxiety-after-stroke/ For more stroke recovery resources, read the free monthly newsletter at 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

    6 min
  7. Understanding Cognitive Challenges in Stroke Recovery

    11/25/2025

    Understanding Cognitive Challenges in Stroke Recovery

    While cognitive challenges caused by stroke are not visible like physical deficits, they still pose a substantial challenge in recovery. In this episode, I discuss some of the mental challenges that can come with stroke recovery and how these deficits can sometimes be overlooked compared to the physical deficits after stroke. For more information on cognitive challenges after stroke, be sure to review the links and resources that I’ve included in this article: https://strokerecoveryrehab.com/2025/04/01/understanding-cognitive-challenges-in-stroke-recovery/ For more stroke recovery resources, read the free monthly newsletter at 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

    8 min
  8. Creating Your Stroke Recovery Plan for Ongoing Progress

    11/14/2025

    Creating Your Stroke Recovery Plan for Ongoing Progress

    While the road to recovery after a stroke looks different for everyone, creating a personalized structure that supports ongoing progress is one of the most important things a stroke survivor can do. In this episode, I’m joined by occupational therapist and stroke survivor Anadee Nikte to discuss neuroplasticity-friendly habits that can support recovery after stroke. *Note: This podcast was originally recorded as a Substack Live event on November 12, 2025. To read the blog Anadee and I discuss, visit https://strokerecoveryrehab.com/2025/11/01/creating-a-plan-for-ongoing-progress-in-stroke-recovery/ For more stroke recovery resources, read the free monthly blog at https://strokerecoveryrehab.substack.com/ Key Moments: (01:00) - About Anadee (03:55) - Mindset after stroke (09:25) - Neuroplasticity-friendly habits (12:30) - Benefits of journaling (15:15) - Focus on small wins (19:40) - How has being an OT affected Anadee’s recovery after stroke (22:15) - How has being a stroke survivor affected Anadee’s work as an OT (25:00) - Optimizing the home environment for success (26:45) - How to connect with Anadee 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

    28 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Your short, five-minute insight into life after stroke, offering practical tips to support recovery. strokerecoveryrehab.substack.com

Information

  • Creator
    Blair Ames
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    28
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Blair Ames
  • Show Website
    Stroke Recovery Rehab

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