Last Updated on April 14, 2025
Bell’s Palsy hits fast.
One morning you wake up, try to smile or blink—and nothing. One side of your face is taking a nap.
It’s scary, disorienting, and you’re left wondering: what the heck just happened?
The good news? Most cases are temporary.
The tricky part? Knowing what not to do while you recover.
This guide breaks down exactly what to avoid—from daily habits and food choices to emotional traps and therapy mistakes. We’ll also bust some common myths and share expert-backed tips to help you heal faster and smarter.
Because sometimes, avoiding the wrong moves makes all the difference.
Table of Contents
🤯 Why What You Avoid Matters in Bell’s Palsy Recovery
Bell’s Palsy is facial paralysis—usually caused by inflammation of the facial nerve.
It often shows up suddenly, with no warning. One side of your face droops, and everyday things like blinking or smiling get weirdly difficult.
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), the exact cause isn’t always clear, but viral infections (especially herpes simplex) are often involved.
Most people recover fully within weeks to months.
But here’s the kicker: how you treat yourself during recovery matters—and what you avoid might be just as important as what you do.
🧘♂️ Daily Habits That Can Delay Healing
❌ Avoid Excessive Stress
Stress weakens your immune system—and your body needs that system running at full power to heal nerve damage.
High stress levels are even suspected to trigger Bell’s Palsy in the first place.
Instead: Find small ways to chill daily. Cleveland Clinic notes that stress management plays a big role in recovery.
❌ Avoid Sleep Deprivation
Poor sleep = poor healing.
Bell’s Palsy recovery is like software updating in the background—you’ve gotta let it run overnight.
Instead: Prioritize 7–9 hours of rest. Go to bed earlier, ditch screens before sleep, and keep caffeine to the morning hours.
❌ Avoid Smoking and Excess Alcohol
They restrict blood flow and suppress your immune response—exactly what your facial nerve doesn’t need right now.
Instead: Use this time to scale back (or quit). Mount Sinai Health lists these as risk factors you can control.
🍽️ Eating With Bell’s Palsy: Mealtime Mistakes to Skip
When your mouth muscles aren’t working properly, eating gets… complicated.
❌ Avoid Hard, Chewy, or Sticky Foods
Bagels, steaks, chewy candy—delicious, but dangerous. They’re hard to control when you’re chewing unevenly.
Instead: Soft, smooth foods are your friend. Think mashed potatoes, soups, smoothies, and yogurt.
❌ Avoid Small or Loose Foods
Popcorn, seeds, and rice can scatter and become choking hazards when facial coordination is off.
Instead: Choose foods that hold together well and are easy to swallow.
❌ Avoid Ultra-Processed Junk
Sugary, salty snacks promote inflammation and offer almost no nutritional value to support healing.
Instead: Load up on whole foods with vitamins B12, C, and zinc—nutrients your nerve fibers love. Johns Hopkins Medicine recommends a balanced, nutrient-rich diet for faster recovery.
👁️ Eye Care Mistakes That Can Do Serious Damage
If your eyelid isn’t closing fully, your eye is exposed—and that’s a problem.
❌ Don’t Ignore Eye Protection
A dry, unblinking eye is vulnerable to scratches and infections.
Instead: Use lubricating drops during the day and ointment at night. The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends taping the eye shut or using a patch while sleeping.
❌ Don’t Rub the Eye
Reduced sensation means you might not feel if you’re causing irritation.
Instead: Be extra gentle. Use clean hands, and protect your eye from dust, wind, and screens.
🏋️♂️ Physical Therapy: Easy Does It
When your face won’t move, it’s tempting to “work it out.” But you could do more harm than good.
❌ Don’t Force Facial Movements
Exaggerated expressions can lead to synkinesis—miswired nerve regrowth where facial muscles move involuntarily.
Instead: Use gentle massages or guided exercises recommended by a Mayo Clinic specialist.
❌ Don’t Trust Internet “Face Workouts”
TikTok might have a million facial exercise hacks—but not all are safe for Bell’s Palsy.
Instead: Work with a facial nerve physical therapist if exercises are needed. One wrong stretch can set you back.
💊 Medication & Treatment Pitfalls to Avoid
❌ Don’t Delay Treatment
Corticosteroids like prednisone work best if started within 72 hours. Wait too long, and you could reduce their effectiveness.
Instead: See a doctor immediately. BMJ research confirms early intervention improves recovery rates significantly.
❌ Don’t Mix Medications Without Advice
Over-the-counter painkillers, supplements, and antivirals can interact dangerously.
Instead: Run everything past your doctor first—even “natural” remedies. Safety first.
❌ Don’t Buy Into Miracle Cures
There’s no magic oil, zapper, or face yoga move that fixes Bell’s Palsy overnight.
Instead: Stick with medically sound treatments. Harvard Health encourages complementary therapies only alongside your doctor’s plan.
🧠 Emotional Pitfalls That Can Slow Recovery
❌ Don’t Withdraw from Friends and Family
It’s normal to feel self-conscious. But hiding away only increases anxiety and depression.
Instead: Let people support you. A Journal of Neurology study found emotional support directly impacts recovery outlook.
❌ Don’t Obsess Over Progress
Staring in the mirror every morning, hoping for change, can be demoralizing.
Instead: Track weekly, not daily. Healing is gradual—and most people see significant recovery within 3–6 months.
❌ Don’t Spiral Online
Avoid endless Google rabbit holes and social media stories of worst-case outcomes.
Instead: Stick to trusted medical sources. If it causes anxiety, close the tab.
🧨 Bell’s Palsy Myths to Avoid Believing
- ❌ “It’s caused by cold wind.”
→ NHS confirms this myth is outdated. Viral inflammation is more likely. - ❌ “It’s a stroke.”
→ Bell’s Palsy is a nerve issue, not a brain bleed. Know the difference, and don’t panic. - ❌ “You should aggressively exercise your face.”
→ Nope. This can lead to long-term complications like synkinesis. - ❌ “If you don’t recover in 2 weeks, you never will.”
→ Cedars-Sinai confirms many people recover even after several months. - ❌ “It will definitely come back.”
→ Recurrence is rare for most people.
🏁 Final Thoughts: Recovery Starts With What You Don’t Do
You don’t have to do everything perfectly.
But by avoiding stress, skipping harmful habits, and ignoring the noise, you give your body its best shot at healing.
Recovery isn’t linear—but most people do get their smile back.
Until then, protect your eye, fuel your body, follow your doctor’s plan, and give yourself some grace. You’ve got this.
💬 If this helped you, pass it on to someone else navigating Bell’s Palsy. Share your story, or subscribe for more health-forward reads backed by real science.
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