Brain or Shine - Shining After Brain Injury

Going back to work following a brain injury can be a big challenge and, in this episode, Jules and Mark talk about the potential effects of hidden disabilities and possible solutions. This is something that really affected Mark immediately after his accident. He and Jules had to refucus their business and explore what adjustments to put in place. Visit our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠...

In this episode, Jules and Mark touch a little more on hidden disabilities and how they can affect someone's performance in the workplace following a brain injury. Concentration, memory issues and fatigue can seriously affect a brain injury. Mark certainly experienced this when returning to work in a busy environment and having to drive long journeys. He had to look at adjustments to be able to mo...

Join Jules and Mark as 2024 comes to a close and ask yourself, ' Should I party or not with a brain injury? '. In recent episodes, we talked a lot about the busy festive period and the stress, anxiety and fatigue this can load onto someone with a brain injury. We're now on the final stretch with the new year's celebrations. It might be time to go to the party or perhaps you just need some quiet ti...

Join Jules and Mark who share some tips on how they've minimise potential anxiety and stress on Christmas Day. In the past episode, we looked at the build up to the festive period but gatherings can be extremely tiring for brain injury survivors and their families. This can lead to increased anxiety levels, fatigue and memory loss. With a little planning, a few ground rules and keeping it simple,...

In this latest episode, Jules and Mark talk about how to enjoy the build-up to the festive period and manage it with a brain injury. As we enter December (at the time of recording), this time of year can be extremely stressful for both brain injury survivors and their families. This can heighten anxiety levels, which increases fatigue and memory loss, that's without the possibility of emotions run...

In this episode, Jules and Mark explore how powerful words and commands are to your brain and how positive language and growth mindsets can help with acceptance after a brain injury. Words are very persuasive and your brain will obey the most powerful commands that you give it. For example, if you say, 'I can't do that', then your brain will believe you and stop looking for solutions. Your brain i...

Join Jules and Mark as they explore ways of understanding and accepting the changes a brain injury has on life. One small moment can have a huge impact on the whole of the lives of, not only the survivor but those around them. Some side effects will never go away, and no matter how much a survivor fights them, they will have to understand that they need to adapt to live with them. Of course, this...

In this latest episode, Jules and Mark talk about the importance of a support network following a brain injury. A brain injury can leave someone with non-physical side effects, and these can easily be missed by not only the survivor but their family and friends. The assumption can be that once someone has been discharged from hospital, they're OK, and life returns to as it was. It's important to s...

Join Jules and Mark as they talk about how they struggled to understand the changes to their lives following Mark's brain injury. This was due to a lack of awareness of the hidden side effects of this condition. A brain injury changes one’s perception of the world, but that person may not be aware of the changes. They could appear selfish for example, but remember, they’ve been through a terrible...

In this latest episode, Jules and Mark explore the cycle of emotions that can be present following a brain injury. Survivors can experience the following: sadness, grief, anger, depression, frustration, apathy and having issues with empathy. In fact, the list could go on and it can be difficult to control emotions, they can become very unpredictable and change very quickly. There are many tools to...

Join Jules and Mark in this latest episode as they talk about the challenges they've faced with making decisions and planning, following Mark's brain injury. By taking some time to stop and gather the facts, this could be key to making the right decision instead of trying to act on the spot. Using diaries, calenders and planning tools are also useful to relieve stress and anxiety in those...

It's been a year since Brain or Shine first posted on their social media platform so, that sounds like an anniversary. Join the founders, Jules and Mark, who reflect on the first 12 months and look ahead to plans for the next year. Brain or Shine has published over 20 podcast episodes and blog entries and sent out numerous weekly newsletters, connecting with thousands of people affected by bra...

In this latest episode, Jules and Mark take a look at how the brain processes information and how a brain injury could affect this. Many advertisements for technology tend to focus on the speed of processing information. For example, a new mobile phone, laptop, tablet or even superfast broadband. Our brains are faster than any computer on the planet but, like technology, glitches can slow down the...

Join Jules and Mark as they discover some fascinating facts and knowledge about the brain. It's a complex organ with many functions, and a better understanding of it can help us deal with the effects of a brain injury. An injury to certain lobes can have a devastating impact on a person's life so, let's explore some simple and common themes. Visit our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

Returning to work following a brain injury can be a huge challenge for many survivors. The workplace can suddenly become a more demanding and over-stimulating environment. The daily commute can be just as difficult, especially if you're allowed to drive again. And, when you're not at work, there are also many tasks assigned to keeping a home. In this latest episode, Jules and Mark talk abo...

Even the simplest of things are often more difficult following a brain injury. Firstly, there's remembering to remember! This means plans and intentions for long enough to act upon them. Join Jules and Mark, as they talk about some of the common challenges including forgetting appointments or losing track of time. Also, trying to remember dates, taking the right medicines or finding items like...

Often after suffering a brain injury, it can be difficult to control one's emotions, and they can change very quickly or seem exaggerated. Of course, survivors can feel some or all of these emotions at various times: depression, sadness, anxiety, frustration, anger, a sense of loss, apathy, stress, or issues with empathy. Join Jules and Mark, who share some of the challenges they faced followi...

After a brain injury, it can feel as if life has let you down and you don't feel the same person anymore. This can lead to negative thoughts and limiting beliefs, which can be damaging to your recovery. Join Jules and Mark, who have been teaching the importance of creating growth mindsets at the Future Toolbox for many years. It's about believing that you can grow and change and become the...

We can only go so far in educating family, friends and work colleagues about the hidden side effects that a brain injury may present. Hidden disabilities include fatigue, memory loss, OCD, anxiety and personality disorders. Join Jules and Mark as they talk about how they've had to explain and educate family and friends on these topics that have a profound effect on their daily lives. One thing...

Hidden disabilities are just that! Hidden! They include fatigue, memory loss, OCD, anxiety and personality disorders. Join Jules and Mark as they share their lived experience on the challenges they've faced, not only coping with these but also having to explain and educate family and friends on these topics that have a profound effect on their daily lives. Mark is a high-functioning brain inju...

Setting goals and celebrating your small wins along the way, is key to living life on your own terms. Join us, Jules and Mark, as we share some of our expertise on goal setting and the importance of this following a brain injury. Goals don't have to be huge. Small ones will help to keep a positive mindset and make you feel good about yourself. If you do set a big goal, break it down into small...

Join us, Jules and Mark, as we share our take on how to live well with a brain injury and live life on your own terms. The key is to identify the challenges that hold you back and make necessary adjustments. Focus on what you can do instead of what you can't. The more you can get to know yourself the more you start to move forward and begin living your life with brain injury. Visit our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

Whether you've had a brain injury or not, personal development is something that we should all be practising. So, what is personal development? Personal is about you and development is learning and taking steps forward in the right direction. After a brain injury, you may be making lots of adjustments to life against what it was before and need to learn new coping skills and tools that you did...

Self-care is about looking after yourself both physically and mentally. It's essential to take time every day to make sure you make time for yourself. In this latest episode, we explore the self-care secrets that focus on sleep patterns, eating a balanced diet, getting some exercise and practising mindfulness. Once you've had a listen, be sure to download our free self-care tracker to help...

In the last episode, we talked about ways to help manage fatigue for those affected by brain injury. Join us this time for part two where we share some more tools that have helped us and people we've met in the brain injury community. Fatigue is one of the most common side effects of a brain injury. This is something that affects the lives of survivors daily and impacts family and friends, too...