After a concussion, the most important things you can do are rest briefly, watch for danger signs, and then gradually return to normal activity over the following days and weeks. Most concussions resolve within two to four weeks, but how you manage the first 48 hours and the days that follow can meaningfully affect how quickly you recover.
Danger Signs That Need Emergency Care
Not every concussion requires an emergency room visit, but some symptoms signal a more serious brain injury. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department if you notice any of the following after a bump, blow, or jolt to the head:
- Seizures or convulsions
- Repeated vomiting
- A headache that keeps getting worse and won’t go away
- One pupil larger than the other, or double vision
- Slurred speech, weakness, numbness, or loss of coordination
- Increasing confusion, restlessness, or agitation
- Inability to recognize people or places
- Loss of consciousness, increasing drowsiness, or inability to stay awake
For infants and toddlers, the same signs apply, plus inconsolable crying or refusal to nurse or eat. Even without these red flags, have someone stay with you and check on you for at least 24 hours to make sure symptoms aren’t worsening.
The First 48 Hours: Relative Rest
Rest helps most in the first couple of days, when symptoms tend to be at their worst. That said, “rest” doesn’t mean lying in a dark room doing nothing. Complete sensory deprivation doesn’t help recovery and isn’t recommended. Instead, keep things low-key: take short walks, read, spend quiet time with a friend. You may need a day or two off from work or school, but usually no more than that.
During this window, limit activities that require heavy concentration if they make your symptoms worse. Avoid physical activities that increase symptoms, including exercise, sports, or any vigorous movement. The goal is to protect your brain from overload without shutting down your life entirely.
Why Strict Rest Can Backfire
One of the biggest shifts in concussion care over the past decade is the move away from prolonged rest. Research now shows that strict rest actually has a detrimental effect on recovery, just as high-intensity physical activity does. The sweet spot is in between.
After the initial 24 to 48 hours, it’s important to ease back into regular activities even if mild symptoms linger. If a particular activity makes symptoms noticeably worse, scale it back, but don’t avoid everything. Early aerobic activity like walking or stationary cycling improves concussion recovery and delays the development of persistent symptoms. The key guideline from the American College of Sports Medicine: exercise should either cause no worsening of symptoms or only mild increases that fade within an hour.
Managing Screens and Light Sensitivity
Screens are often one of the first things that feel uncomfortable after a concussion. The brightness can trigger headaches, and the eye movement involved in reading across a screen can increase dizziness, nausea, and vertigo. Looking down at a phone or tablet adds neck strain on top of that.
You don’t have to avoid screens entirely, but be strategic about it. Start with about five minutes at a time and slowly add more as long as symptoms stay manageable. Dim your screen brightness or use a color overlay app to reduce glare. Keep your posture upright so you’re not bending your neck downward. Take frequent breaks. If screens consistently make you feel worse, that’s your signal to cut back and try again the next day.
Sleep During Recovery
Your brain does critical repair work during sleep, so good sleep habits matter more than usual after a concussion. Aim for at least seven hours per night. Set a fixed wake time and stick to it every morning, even on weekends and even if you slept poorly. Consistency helps your body’s internal clock stay regulated when your brain is already working to heal itself. If you nap, keep it earlier in the day and avoid napping within seven hours of your usual bedtime, since late naps can make it harder to fall asleep at night.
Returning to School or Work
Most people can return to school or work within one to two days of a concussion, though they may need temporary adjustments. For students, this might mean a lighter workload, extra time on assignments, breaks during the school day, or a modified schedule. As symptoms improve, these accommodations are gradually removed. If a child needs more formal support, schools can set up a 504 Plan or Individualized Education Plan.
For adults returning to work, the same principle applies: start with a reduced load if needed, and build back up as symptoms allow. Desk work that involves long stretches of reading or screen time may need to be broken into shorter blocks at first.
Returning to Sports
Athletes follow a specific six-step progression, and each step takes at least 24 hours. If symptoms return at any stage, you drop back to the previous step.
- Step 1: Return to regular daily activities like school or work, with clearance from a healthcare provider to begin the progression.
- Step 2: Light aerobic activity only, such as 5 to 10 minutes on a stationary bike, walking, or light jogging. No weight lifting.
- Step 3: Moderate activity that increases heart rate with body or head movement, including moderate jogging, brief running, and reduced-intensity weightlifting.
- Step 4: Heavy non-contact activity, such as sprinting, high-intensity cycling, full weightlifting routine, and non-contact sport-specific drills.
- Step 5: Full practice including contact, in a controlled setting.
- Step 6: Return to competition.
Rushing this process is one of the most dangerous things you can do. A second concussion before the first has healed can cause severe, sometimes catastrophic brain injury.
What to Expect for Recovery Time
Most children with a concussion feel better within two to four weeks. Adults typically follow a similar timeline, though recovery can vary based on age, concussion history, and the severity of the initial injury. Some people, particularly children, experience symptoms affecting mood, memory, behavior, or emotions for months or longer.
If your symptoms haven’t improved after two weeks, or if they’re getting worse instead of better, it’s worth getting a more thorough evaluation. Clinicians can use specialized tests to pinpoint specific problems. One common tool, the Vestibular/Ocular-Motor Screening, checks how well your eyes track, focus, and coordinate with head movement. Problems with near-point convergence (the ability to focus on something close to your face) are especially common after concussion, and scores outside the normal range help guide targeted treatment like vestibular therapy or vision rehabilitation.
Concussion recovery isn’t always linear. You may have a great day followed by a rough one. That’s normal. The overall trend matters more than any single day, and for most people, that trend points toward a full recovery.