How the LoveYourBrain Retreat Changed My Life Forever

My experience at the LoveYourBrain Community Retreat was absolutely life-changing. I have never once been somewhere where everyone, down to the service animals, were so kind and accepting.

Since my severe traumatic brain injury from my accident, it takes a lot to experience any heightened emotion, but it truly brings tears to my eyes every time I think about it.

My Severe Traumatic Brain Injury

No one tells you how to live life after a brain injury. Everything changes from your health to your social life to your career to your interactions with family and friends. Eight years later, I am still being surprised by ‘fun’ little new discoveries of things I didn’t notice was different or things that have newly come up.

My most recent brain injury (which is certainly not the biggest one) happened earlier this year due to poor monitoring of my heart rate and blood pressure during a surgery causing a dural tear to occur in my brain and thus increased intracranial pressure and subsequently a cerebrospinal fluid leak that left me bedbound for two months and near death.

Now when I work out or get stressed, I have to make sure that my heart rate stays below 125 or else my cerebrospinal fluid starts leaking from my nose which causes blacked out vision, nausea, and a whole bunch of issues where my body feels like it is shutting down.

Fun.

I digress.

Just from mentioning the above side effects, you can only imagine the issues it causes trying to hold a career and social life. Many, like me, also deal with personality changes that come along with it. Since my accident, I have less emotional sensitivity to all emotions which has led to a Spock-like personality that is very analytical and no-nonsense.

This has done wonders for my anxiety and depression which has all but disappeared, but has affected my relationships as well. But it has also negatively impacted my relationships from before the accident – both friends and family alike. So many at the retreat echoed issues that were near mirror reflections of this.

LoveYourBrain Retreats helps those with brain injury to adapt and thrive by providing new ways of thinking, being, and connecting in their many workshops, mindfulness exercises, yoga, and more at this five day retreat.

How LoveYourBrain Gives You the Tools to Thrive

1. Mindfulness Exercises

With all of my talk of mindfulness and reflection, before the retreat I still struggled with it. When I would look in the mirror, I couldn’t look back at the pain, abuse, isolation, and everything else I went through without being decimated for the day.

Now, I embrace these practices and come out of them with energy and motivation to seize the day and inspire others to do the same.

2. Connection

Of course there is programming like morning intentions and gratitude, yoga, and sessions to help build resiliency and shift your mindset, each of which are amazing, wonderful, and useful. But the sense of community that was shared was just astounding.

I truly came to life embracing my quirky, vibrant self and was met with people who were happy to share my space and thoughts. There is something about that level of kindness and understanding that shatters any barriers.

For anyone who knows me, I am pretty much a loner and have been since I was around age 7 (thanks to a whole lot of bullying by my classmates). I have always been hyper-independent even when I was a single mom and have only ever had roommate in the form of a husband.

It’s not for a lack of wanting friends, but having difficulty connecting with others especially since the brain injury.

Despite all of this, I walked away with nearly thirty new best friends many of whom I talk to daily. We share in each others joys and triumphs and listen and empathize during our struggles. For the first time since I was a child, I feel seen by my new friends.

I no longer have to go this TBI journey with only my husband and kids to lean on, I have my new besties who truly get it firsthand.

3. Movement

There were easy things like Yoga Nidra which assists with relaxation and better sleep (my personal favorite) and others like going out onto the lake participating in things like kayaking, canoeing, or swimming.

My friend and I would take walks through the camp uncovering new trails, beautiful flowers, wildlife while connecting on a deep level.

4. Meals

The LoveYourBrain staff and volunteers really know what they’re doing in the kitchen. Despite all of the food being absolutely delicious, it was also great for brain health. The foods were rich in things that boost brain health such as B vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, folate, choline, and more.

I still think they need to make a cook book because I would be first in line to buy it.

5. Compassionate Staff