Is THIS Sabotaging Stroke Recovery? (Easy Fix)

The moment you have a stroke, it feels like life starts all over again.

Even the simple things… like walking, buttoning a shirt, or communicating clearly… become a struggle, as you learn to do them again.

You want to recover as quickly… and as completely… as possible.

But, believe it or not, a hidden health problem can completely sabotage stroke victims who are working so hard to get better.

Most doctors don’t talk about it – and they sure don’t test for it.

But fixing this one health issue could make all the difference when it comes to getting your life back after a stroke.

Researchers recently pooled together 50 studies on outcomes for stroke patients, in what is known as a “meta-analysis.”

When they looked at the data, the results were clear…

A healthy circadian rhythm can make the difference between who successfully recovers from a stroke… and who doesn’t.

In fact, impaired circadian rhythms were linked to a variety of worse health outcomes, including mood disorders, cognitive impairment, and even death.

We think of our circadian rhythms as our natural sleep/wake cycles, but it’s really not that simple.

Beyond sleep, our circadian rhythms are responsible for countless processes in our bodies, including blood flow and how our brains repair themselves.

The researchers highlighted the “importance of circadian rhythm assessments among stroke patients.”

But, honestly, I don’t see a lot of that happening.

If you’re recovering from a stroke – or helping someone recover – there are a few simple things you can do to maintain a healthy circadian rhythm.

• Keep a consistent bedtime every night — including on weekends.
• Get sun exposure in your eyes first thing every morning, no glasses or contact lenses. You don’t have to look directly into the sun – just keep it in your peripheral vision. This helps set your circadian rhythm for the day.
• Avoid artificial blue light at night from TVs, cell phones, laptops, and tablets. Starting at 60-90 minutes before bed, go screen-free.

Be diligent about these three steps, and you’ll be well on your way to a healthy circadian rhythm. And especially if you’re recovering from a stroke, that can make all the difference.

View Sources

Zhang, M., Nath, N., Chu, L., Zheng, D., Cistulli, P., & Yu Bin, (2025). Post-stroke circadian rhythm disruption and stroke prognosis: A systematic review. Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1111/pcn.13919