by Tim Musgrave

Created on: August 17, 2009

The sometimes devastating effects of experiencing a stroke can be seen in fits of depression, enhanced anxiety, apathy, and change in ones character as the 'victim' recovers from the ordeal and starts a new life. Despite these despairing insights many stroke 'victims' attempt to revitalize their lives and to carry on, as normal as possible, regardless of the fact they may have been left with permanent disability. This article is an approach to highlighting that attitude and to show why fitness of the body can be of a huge benefit to the mind.

Attitude is a subjective quality, people with a positive attitude are usually the people who succeed, not necessarily financially but in more complete terms, who have many people they can call on as friends and would seem to be the most fulfilled. People with attitudes of a negative persuasion are those people portrayed as living miserable, unfulfilled and desperate lives; where every corner brings new trepidation and a sense of unease about a successful future. Unfortunately, the victims of strokes would generally be seen to fit into the latter category, but why?

The effects on the neural system, the diminished sensation in the limbs, the low self-esteem and the low sex drive are definitely drivers for this depressive perception of a stroke victim. Furthermore, lack of mobility is near the top of that list, however, it is commonly known that exercise has a positive effect on the human mind as well as the human body. It would therefore seem to follow that in order to lessen the mental burden of coping with a stroke one should be more active.

But how does one become 'active' when one of the main repercussions of a stroke is lack of mobility? During the time that the 'victim', or as we shall now call him the 'recoveror', spends in medical care, however long that might be, he is instructed by the physiotherapist in ways of maintaining and perhaps regaining some of the mobility that was lost due to the stroke. However it is imperative that the recoveror take this into account on return to his daily life. Generating the endorphins that result in the positive feelings a stroke recoveror needs is vital if the recoveror is to regain anything more than token movement. Even the lightest of exercises will profit the brain and the body.

One would leave this article unfinished without addressing the diversity of people who have strokes and the diverse effects that strokes have on any one particular person. From the elderly and already infirm to the adolescent and those younger, a stroke can be life altering in so many different ways. It should be said therefore that the author does not wish to profess a 'do-it-my-way' style, his purpose is only to extol the virtues of a positive attitude and the way that exercise can contribute to that approach.

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