Creating a Balanced Routine for Brain Injury Recovery: A Day in Tobias’s Life

 

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Creating a Balanced Routine for Brain Injury Recovery: A Day in Tobias’s Life

Every day with Tobias is a journey of growth, adaptation, and perseverance. Since his brain injury, we’ve worked together to establish a routine that balances therapy, cognitive practice, eating independently, and rest, each day bringing its own rhythm of activity and renewal. Today, I’d love to share what a typical day looks like for him, along with some reflections on why this balance is so crucial. I hope this might offer insight and encouragement for others navigating similar paths.

Morning: Starting with Care and Focus

Our morning starts around 8:00 AM with a calm routine. Breakfast is not just about nourishment but also a grounding moment where we can prepare for the day ahead. It is also a time to learn for Tobias, to repeat movement and for his brain to make the connections of moving all muscles at the right time. Perfectly coordinated so that bringing the food to his mouth, then inside his mouth to chewing and swallowing. Crazy complicated. Nevertheless, watching my grandchild Liam today trying to eat, I understand, that it will take more time. 

Still breakfast is calm in our house. This quiet time allows Tobias to ease into the day without feeling rushed, helping him feel centered before diving into the day’s activities.

After breakfast, Tobias has Physiotherapy at about 9:00 AM. Physical therapy helps reduce muscle tension and maintain mobility, essential for his comfort and pain management. We also are trying to build muscles, but it is a lot to fit into one hour. Today’s focus is on gentle exercises for coordination and strength, building the foundation for a day full of diverse therapies. Physiotherapy, especially in the morning, is like a fresh start for Tobias’s muscles, and it sets a positive tone for the rest of the day.

The Book of Mormon reminds us in Alma 37:6: “By small and simple things are great things brought to pass.” Every small movement Tobias makes during therapy is part of something greater. Each exercise, though simple, contributes to his strength, reminding us that progress often comes in small, consistent steps. Even if that means we have to do them repeatedly over and over. 

Lunch follows with a well-earned break. Tobias has about two to three therapies a day.

Midday: Cognitive Training and the Gift of Movement

After a short break, we focus on cognitive training at 1:00 PM. For Tobias, this involves simple but meaningful tasks. Today, we’re working on word association exercises and a gratitude list. These mental exercises may seem small, but they help Tobias engage his mind, slowly encouraging his brain to form and strengthen connections that were impacted by his injury. I also include Biology question or nature shows to pick his brain. His knowledge is still so impressive. His communication needs still lots of improvement. 

Around 2:00 PM (Wednesday), Tobias has his Swim Therapy session. Water therapy is a gentle yet effective way for him to exercise and feel movement in his body without strain. In the pool, Tobias experiences a sense of freedom and relief as his muscles relax, and he can enjoy movement with a reduced risk of pain or overexertion. Watching him move in the water brings such joy, reminding us, that even on challenging days, there are moments of lightness. The therapist is funny and encouraging, I toss the water ball at the end of the session, and we just forget for a moment. Tobias does not feel his body in the water the way he feels it on “land”. It must be a great feeling for him.

Afternoon: Balance and Gentle Activities

After swim therapy, we include a quiet outdoor walk at 4:30 PM. Time outside is therapeutic for both Tobias and me, providing a change of scenery, fresh air, and a gentle way to wind down after the day’s more intensive sessions. These walks offer a natural break that refreshes his mind and body, helping to bridge the transition from therapy back to home. Fall is such a beautiful season. 

By 5:00 PM, we practice relaxation and stretching together. Stretching helps manage his muscle tone, while relaxation techniques, such as guided breathing and visualization, help release any built-up tension from the day. This is a time to slow down, reflect on the day, and prepare for a restful evening. I use a few aps, one I enjoy is Calm another one is Plums village. We also have Tobias listen to calm piano music. His brain needs more erst than a healthy brain. It can burn out he also feels mor brain fog if we overload him. 

Evening: Winding Down and Rest

Dinner at about 6:00 PM, an important family moment. It’s not just about eating but connecting, laughing, and sharing old stories. Tobias thrives on this family time, and we use it as an opportunity to engage him in conversation, supporting his language and social skills.

In the evening, we follow a calm routine with calming music, reading, and quiet reflection on something or a nature show. The day’s experiences, both big and small, are absorbed as we prepare for rest. Tobias’s bedtime preparation around 8:00 PM is the final step in closing out a balanced day. This evening ritual creates a sense of security and consistency that is so valuable for his well-being but also for me as a mother. It gives me another chance to engage with him, in a quiet setting with no distractions. Life is so fast, often we or others don’t see Tobias effort to engage with the group, but his voice is soft, and his reactions not always in tune. That must be hard on him, but perhaps pushes him as well. 

Scripture Reflection: From the Bible, Isaiah 40:31 resonates with me on these days: “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” This reminds me that, though our journey requires patience, it also brings strength. Tobias’s perseverance and progress are a testament to this strength.

Reflecting on the Balance of Therapy and Rest

Our daily routine has been shaped by Tobias’s unique needs, balancing intense therapy with moments of calm and family connection. This structure helps Tobias feel supported yet gives him the room to rest, which is essential for recovery. It has also taught me so much about the importance of patience and pres
ence. Each small victory, each session completed, is a reminder that recovery is not a sprint but a marathon of faith, resilience, and love.

Creating a balanced routine for Tobias has been challenging at times, but the rewards are profound. We continue to celebrate every small step forward, knowing that with time, faith, and consistency, each day is a step toward greater healing. For anyone on a similar path, may you find strength in your routines and moments of peace in the journey. Never give up. You are not alone. Your father in heaven is there to help. It is hard to see his hands in our lives at times, since his plan is not always ours. Trust and you will find what you are looking for. Life is good. 

Have a wonderful day, 

Katja, another caregiver, mother, wife, grandma and friend