David BrimacombePost-concussion syndrome (PCS) recovery coach

Why Your Brain Can’t Sleep After Concussion #pcsrecovery #postconcussionsyndrome

16 May 2026 · 1 min

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In this segment, David Brimacombe explains that while a consistent nighttime routine—such as turning off lights, putting the phone away, reading, stretching, breathwork, and gratitude journaling—can support sleep, it is not sufficient if the individual is not truly ready for bed, leading to frustration. He emphasizes that the critical factor affecting sleep after a concussion is not the bedtime ritual but the activities undertaken during the first 60 minutes after waking. The implication is that post‑wake habits may reset or influence the brain’s ability to fall asleep, especially in the context of concussion recovery.

That nighttime routine that you've been honing, when the lights go off, when you put your phone away, how long you read, your stretches, your breathwork, your gratitude journaling, that all does help. But understand, if that cycle isn't at the point where you're ready for bed, you're just going to get frustrated. I've done all the routines. I have a locked-in nighttime ritual. But that ritual isn't the problem. The problem lies in what you do in that first 60 minutes of waking.