I’ve taken a break from blogging because there hasn’t been anything new to report. But I would like to drop this little reminder – it is important to be consistent with brain training. This week I recalled why.
We are all dealing with the covid pandemic, just like the rest of the world. We are experiencing isolation, mental health challenges, and waiting in lines for either a covid test or a covid vaccine. It is all inconvenient and disruptive. It disrupted my plans recently.
I had my last block of 8 brain training sessions booked at Neurvana Health. I had already completed a few sessions, when a cohort, who I had recently been in contact with, was notified that she had been in contact with a covid-positive client at her workplace, and she was getting tested. That made me a secondary contact.
According to protocols, I could choose to get tested, but this wasn’t required because I was a secondary contact. I chose to isolate until I knew the outcome of her test. But as I traced my activities, and looked forward to my calendar for the coming days, I realized I had a brain training appointment scheduled before her test results were due.
I did the responsible thing and decided to err on the side of caution. I emailed Neurvana Health, explained the situation, and we agreed that it would be best to cancel the appointment just in case. As it turned out, my cohort’s tests were both negative (she tested twice to be sure).
I ended up with a 2 week break in my brain training schedule. My daily agenda is getting busier and I made good use of the time off. I was curious, however, how my brain would respond to the break. It was just as I suspected.
Similar to taking a break from regular workouts at the gym, my brain experienced workout shock yesterday.
I was fatigued immediately after the appointment. I managed a short dog walk when I got home, then went to bed to rest for the rest of the afternoon.
Napping helped. I only slept for an hour, but it felt like a longer sleep when I woke up. The headache was mild but persistent. I was slightly light sensitive, but I was able to work on my computer while resting in my darkened bedroom, while I finished season 2 of Downton Abbey.
My sweet hubby made me a PB&J which he served to me in bed. I went to a worship team vocal rehearsal at the church. I made it through, but I was definitely fading after an hour of singing.
I spent the rest of the evening in bed, finishing a few work things and catching up on the last season of Kim’s Convenience with my husband. I was asleep early and slept reasonably well.
The brain training headache was gone when I woke up, but it had been replaced by a weather headache. Yesterday it was +19C and sunny. Today it is -2C and snowing. Advil is keeping the pain under control so I can work.
While this is a rather boring account of my headaches and sleep habits, there is a purpose. It serves as a reminder that consistency matters. This is why, if you decided to commit to brain training, it is best to press pause on anything else in your life that can possibly wait for at least three months.
If you commit to neurofeedback protocols, you must be prepared to make it your number one scheduling priority. Everything else needs to work around your brain training appointments. I understand how difficult this can be, especially if you have a busy family calendar. But trust me, it will serve you (and your family) well in the long term if you make these schedule sacrifices in the short term.
You will likely experience fatigue and headaches after the first few sessions, but it will improve, and you will be able to engage in normal activities with little or no disruption on appointment days. Now that I am back on schedule, the fatigue and headaches will be greatly diminished, or more likely, completely gone.
I have a handful of brain training appointments left, and then I will be scheduled with Liz Deacon for some follow up work.
At this point in my journey at Neurvana Health, I could not be more pleased! I am so incredibly grateful to Dr. Corey Deacon and his world-class team. I feel so much better. I have experienced ZERO depression/anxiety symptoms for three months and counting. I NEVER thought I would ever be able to say that.
I want this treatment to be available to everyone, not just the few who can afford it. I have made a plan and am taking big steps to fulfill my dream of making neurofeedback accessible to everyone, especially those experiencing financial insecurity.
Stay tuned – I hope to make the BIG ANNOUNCEMENT soon!!
