Notes from the Neuro Café on 23rd June 2021.
Goal Setting
As if some of us hadn’t had enough of football-related elements in our lives during the Euro 2020 tournament, this week’s topic was… goals (thankfully not that type!)
Some LEGS participants are enjoying watching the football. Stories were exchanged about travel to Budapest, Oxford, Lake Balaton and the tasty local delicacy perka/goose fat.
We may use SMART to set our goals but this is not necessarily the best approach for recovery. The SMART criteria are:
Specific
Measurable
Achievable
Realistic
Time-bound
Specificity is a key element - it is a good idea to find a way to reach a goal that works specifically for you.
A suggestion: make a plan for attainment, perhaps smaller goals within a larger goal. Regularly review your goals.
Whatever SMART suggests, we are not sure whether this applies to us; do our goals during recovery actually have to be achievable, realistic or time-bound?
Conor reminded us it is up to the individual to find out what works best for them. And with his tongue firmly in his cheek Conor proposed a DUMB approach, or
Dream-driven
Uplifting
Method-friendly
Behaviour-triggered
It was noted that our goals in the LEGS group may be very small - for one participant even the idea of standing up would have seemed like a miracle not so long ago. Yet, today, standing up is a goal that has been realised. Conor suggested setting meaningful goals and doing small activities that you enjoy. For example, 3 times a week for an activity is a good goal to set; you know it will have a good effect. Regularly review your goals. Try and do 45 minutes of movement for 5 days, increase to 7 days. Build up your if-then plans. Keep working at it and manage your expectations and frustrations. Set a Goal Every Day
Do not be daunted or overwhelmed. Do not set a timeframe or get worked up if you feel you are not succeeding. If you cannot do things as fast as you used to do, accept that and enjoy doing as much as you can do.
Botox
Botox treatment is not just for cosmetic/beauty purposes! Botox can help promote mobility because it can reduce muscle spasms which prevent us from moving about. Some people found this treatment had been beneficial including helping to improve the ability to stretch and twist arms.
