When you love keeping fit and being active, getting injured can be an incredibly tough time. And it’s not just the physical side of the injury you need to think about – there is a mental aspect to all this, too. You may feel sadness, anger, and even – in some cases – suffer from depression. There will be a period of denial, and your life will seem a little unfair. Ultimately, your state of mind suffers a great deal and leaves you susceptible to making wrong decisions.
Make no mistake about it; it can be a difficult period to get through. And while you will be chomping at the bit to get out there and get physical once more, the truth is that doing so could lead to more damage and a more extended period on the sidelines. The big question is – how do you deal with the psychological impact of having a severe injury? Here are some suggestions – read on to find out more!
Educate yourself
The first – and best – thing you can do is to learn about your injury. The more you know about why you have suffered from it, how you can recover from it, and how you can prevent it from happening again in the future, the better. Speak to your doctor – and even take notes if you have to. Armed with the right knowledge, you will feel more equipped to get through this particular challenge.
Take some responsibility
Next, it’s time to get down to the recovery itself. It will take an incredibly positive attitude t get through this period, but most importantly, it’s critical that you ‘own it.’ Show up for treatments, listen to advice from your physiotherapists and doctors, and work hard. If you can remain focused on what you need to do, rather than worrying about what you are missing, you will find the pathway ahead a lot clearer.
Take baby steps
If you have a severe injury, it can take months to recover – possibly longer. There is a lot of work to do between now and then, so it’s essential that you don’t overwhelm yourself. Let’s say you have a nasty ligament injury. In the early days, you will be struggling to walk correctly, and there will be an extended period of limping and struggling to get by. If you are purely focused on making a full recovery, there is more chance of you pushing yourself too much too soon. Instead, create a set of small goals with your doctor and work through them one baby step at a time. You will be more mindful of the minor improvements you are making, and less likely to exceed your limits and do yourself more damage.
Modify your training
Just because you have injured one part of your body, it may not mean you cannot exercise at all. It could be possible for you to modify your training regime, so discuss your options with your doctor, physio or trainer.
Suffering from a severe injury can be devastating to fitness fanatics. However, if you take it slow, work hard, and set realistic and achievable goals, you will recover. Good luck!
