Empty battery theory

The following is a copy, with thanks, of the brochure from De Hoogstraat rehabilitation center, written by the cognitive rehabilitation department.

Explanation and advice for people with reduced energy after a brain injury.

Signals that the battery is running low

During the day, and for some much earlier, you will receive signals that the battery is running low.

For example, you may notice yourself getting tired, making mistakes, or losing focus. Some people get headaches, while others lose focus or become irritable.

These are signals that your battery is nearing its lowest point. It's time to take a break so your battery can recharge.

What to look out for

• Pay attention to physical signals. 

Do you get a headache, become dizzy, or feel tension in your neck and shoulders?

• Pay attention to the way you do things.

Does your pace slow down or are you making more mistakes than usual?

• Pay attention to negative feelings.

Are you getting grumpy, not interested in something anymore, or irritated?

• Pay attention to (negative) thoughts.

For example, are you thinking, "I can't do this anymore," or "How long will this last?" or "I don't care anymore?"?

"I feel inferior because I can't do it."

• If you do not notice these signs yourself, ask people around you if they notice when your energy is running low. Also ask them what exactly they notice.

• Which signs do they recognize in you?

---- Addition by hersenletsel-uitleg:

People who were used to persevering before their injury and always going the extra mile when they encountered difficulties are more vulnerable to falling into a trap after their brain injury.

They push themselves too far too often. They lose their brakes too often. This doesn't always have to be the limitless perseverance; they were used to pushing through, to persevering, even when they were tired.

They do this more strongly after their brain injury when they are tired.

---- End of addition

This is what happens when you cross your boundaries:

You continue your activities until they're absolutely exhausting and then collapse. You rest and then immediately start working again until you can't anymore. For each subsequent activity, you have less and less energy.

If you regularly push yourself beyond your limits, your energy will continue to decline.

Do not keep going with a nearly empty battery

If you ignore the signals and just keep going, your battery will gradually drain, and the signals will accumulate.

Moreover, charging a dead battery takes much more time and effort than charging one that still has some remaining capacity.

This means you will experience fatigue, reduced concentration, or difficulty processing information for longer.

So make sure you mind your boundaries and always keep some mental energy left.

Towards calmer waters

You cannot "train" your energy levels, but you can manage your decreased energy differently.

If you rest earlier and distribute your activities more evenly throughout the day, you'll reach "calmer waters."

In these calmer waters, you can handle more and you're less likely to push yourself beyond your limits. However, it takes time to learn this. It's a process of trial and error.

Managing your available energy differently

Many people tend to carry on as they always did after sustaining a brain injury.

It can be helpful to learn to manage your available energy differently. You can learn to stop constantly pushing yourself beyond your limits and what you can do to reach calmer waters.

Cognitive therapy may help with this.

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