Injuries are incredibly common. From slips, trips, and falls in a workplace to being involved in a car accident while on the road, most of us will have at least one significant injury during our lifetime. Even so, no matter how frequently they may occur, the healing journey is never any less frustrating. Speed up the process by following this guide on how to ensure effective recovery from injury.
Table of Contents
Rest as much as possible
Immediately following the injury, it is vital to get as much rest as possible. Sleep aids brain function and reduces stress, and provides the opportunity for muscle repair. If your injury was unexpected and traumatic, sleep will also help to reduce your feelings of anxiety and promote mental well-being. If you are struggling to sleep following your injury, try changing your environment to create an atmosphere that is more restful such as blocking out sensory stimulants like light and noise.
Seek advice from a doctor
If your injury is serious, or if you are unsure of the damage incurred, seek advice from a doctor and make sure you follow their recommendations. Understanding your injury is vital in you knowing how best to manage your recovery. For example, broken bones will require special treatment to keep them in the correct position as they heal, whereas minor muscle tears can be solved independently using the RICE method (rest, ice, compression, and elevation) in most cases.
Consider physical therapy
Depending on your injury, you may need to investigate physical therapy as part of your recovery. This typically involves a range of prescribed exercises to improve the strength and dexterity of the injured body part. Once the healing gets to a certain stage, this can be practiced in conjunction with gentle exercise to improve other vital physical skills such as balance and the ability to hold your body weight.
Prioritise your mental health
Alongside a focus on your physical healing, it is important to prioritize your mental health as well. Injuries with long-term and sometimes life-changing consequences can be particularly hard to come to terms with, especially if it wasn’t your fault. In these cases, you may find the pursuit of a personal injury claim to be beneficial, or it may help to speak to someone in a similar situation. Even for short-term injuries, counselling can be helpful, especially if the injury occurred in traumatic circumstances.
Nourish your body
During your recovery, nourish your body as much as possible. This includes staying well-hydrated, eating food with a range of nutrients, taking any necessary supplements to aid fast healing, and avoiding alcohol. You can also nourish your mental wellbeing in whatever way works for you, whether it is finding ways to relax, exercising creativity, practicing mindfulness, or chatting to friends.
Don’t rush your recovery
Lastly but most importantly, don’t rush your recovery. Doing too much too soon can cause further problems down the line and may even worsen your injury and slow down the healing process. Always listen to your doctor and take your recovery slow and steady.
