Why exercising with epilepsy sets me free.
Sport and exercise transported me to a safe place. Being newly diagnosed with epilepsy felt like my safe place was running away from me and being destroyed. I thought this was gone forever. However, fitness was the actual saviour, it held me together in times of stress and let me tell you why.
Warm up
I’ve always loved fitness from when I was a little boy from running through the playground, swinging on the monkey bars to walking on my hands in gymnastics. It gave me this immense feeling of joy like the moment you step off the plane on holiday, feeling that hot breeze on your face. I was a natural all-rounder. I got involved with every sport I could but there was that one sport that topped it all, the beautiful game of Football. There was just something that felt amazing about stopping a shot that was flying straight towards me at crazy speeds and becoming the hero.
Workout
Fitness helped me in numerous ways. I never really knew how good getting up and just moving made me feel because it was just so natural to me. I never appreciated it. In 2018 being stuck in the hospital, not being able to get up and missing pre-season was the worst. All I was thinking about was being with my teammates, stopping shots and proving the doubters wrong. After my surgery I didn't know what type of Renell was going to come back to football but one thing I did know was that this Renell was hungrier than ever. Few training sessions later I had my first game back. Brentford FC. The referee blew the whistle. I felt at peace. endorphins flowing through my body, healing every negative thought in my system. The game went by in a flash. We took a beating and for some parts of the game I was a bag of nerves, but I didn't care, the feeling of being out there with the grass beneath my boots and the squelching of mud on each step bought me that same buzz. I was that young boy swinging on those monkey bars again.
Water break
There are so many benefits from Exercising it improves fitness and overall health. This can potentially help to reduce the number of seizures you have. Exercising is great for mental health; it improves your mood and really makes you feel like you have a sense of control of your own wellbeing. Stress is a common trigger for seizures and exercising may help to reduce seizures for some people. Exercise and fitness has given me the opportunity to meet amazing people and it has also made me feel like I have another home. It proves to me that with my condition I can do anything. Exercise, fitness, and sport with or without epilepsy you should never feel left out it's for everyone.
Cool down
If you are thinking of exercising, speak to your neurologist, prepack those tablets, stay hydrated and let's get moving. Even a little bit can make a big difference. Forget “new year” and focus on “new me” whenever you're ready let's become that person we aspire to be!
Tips when exercising with epilepsy
- Wear the correct clothing during contact sports or physical activity
- Make sure people know you have epilepsy and knows what to do if a seizure was to occur
- Ask the doctor whether certain sports aren’t appropriate for you
- Keep yourself well hydrated and drink or snack on something with sugar in it
- Don't continue exercising if you feel faint, lightheaded, nauseous, or dehydrated
- Don't overexert yourself – know your limits
