Whether you’re an avid gym-goer or just getting back into the world of exercise, dealing with an injury can feel like a massive step back. After all, not only are you dealing with discomfort and pain, but you’ll also likely need to take a step back from your usual routine.
With that in mind, here are some top tips for recovering from an injury that should help you to get back up and on your feet again in no time!
Listen to what your doctor says
While you may want to get back into exercising as soon as you possibly can, it’s important that you closely follow any of the instructions given to you by your doctor. This means that if they told you to rest for six weeks, you rest for six weeks. Remember, this advice was given to you for a reason, and it should be followed even if you begin to feel better sooner than expected. Returning too soon to your usual routine could exacerbate the issue, leading to long-term difficulties.
Find effective ways to manage your pain
Finding effective ways to manage your pain can also ensure that your recovery journey is as pain-free as possible. There are many different ways in which you can achieve this goal. For example, if you are dealing with a back injury (particularly one impacting your upper spine), then you could benefit from a session with an upper cervical chiropractic professional. This can help to relieve pain and discomfort while also improving your mobility.
Get plenty of sleep
Various studies have found that sleep plays a key role in your body’s ability to recover from any injuries. As such, you should make sure that you are getting as much sleep as you can during this time. While you may be permitted to carry out some light exercise during your recovery, remember to stop if fitness feels exhausting rather than rejuvenating.
Practice self-care
An injury can take its toll on both your mind and your body. As such, you should do whatever it takes to make yourself feel good during this time, such as by practising self-care. For example, you may want to treat yourself to a massage at a local spa, or simply have a hot bubble bath each night. Self-care means something different to each and every one of us, but finding activities that make you smile is important during this time (and beyond).
Talk about how you are feeling
As mentioned above, accidents and injuries can have an emotional fallout. As such, if you feel as though your stress and anxiety are heightened during this time, don’t be afraid to talk to those around you about how you are feeling. There’s no shame in dealing with difficult emotions, but they are much harder to tackle alone. If your recovery period is anticipated to last several months, you may want to consider speaking to a therapist during this time, though you should not underestimate the benefit of simply venting to a friend or family member, either
Return to exercise gradually
The chances are that you will be unable to jump right back into your ‘normal’ routine once you’re feeling better, even if you have been given the go-ahead from your doctor. As such, you should make sure that you return to exercise gradually. For example, if you previously worked out four times a week, try going once or twice instead. While this can seem frustrating, it’s a great way to get your body used to working out again, without putting too much strain on yourself.
Don’t be surprised if you feel a lot more tired than usual when returning to exercise after some time away. This is part of the process, and you’ll find that your energy levels will soon stabilise. However, you should also make sure that you are not pushing yourself too hard during this time. Ideally, you should also ensure that you’re working out with someone during your first few sessions so that they can provide you with support should you need it. For example, they could spot you when lifting heavy weights or simply offer verbal encouragement to keep you going.
Final thoughts
In short, there are many steps that you can take to ensure your journey to recovery is as smooth as possible. However, it is important to remember that recovery is not linear, and that you need to be patient. Take it one step at a time!