Getting hurt is never fun. But while most injuries will heal themselves in just a few days or weeks, when an injury sticks around for longer, be it something that drastically affects your daily life or an injury that will take much longer to heal, it can be hard to accept this new normal.
So to help those who may have been hurt in a way that they’ve never experienced before and weren’t prepared for, here are three tips for moving forward after sustaining a major injury, especially one that wasn’t your fault.
Get the Psychological Help You Need
While it might be your physical body that was hurt, dealing with your injury could be just as much of a mental hurdle as it is a physiological hurdle.
If this is the case for you, Dr. Ofer M. Zikel, a contributor to AuroraHealthcare.org, advises that you get the psychological help that you need through counseling, therapy, or other forms of anxiety management. By having someone that you can talk to about your trauma without feeling like you’re burdening them—as people often feel when talking to a friend, loved one, or caretaker—you can work to process your trauma and your emotions in a healthy and productive way. And as you heal your mind, you can focus more of your attention on your body.
Set Smart Goals for Yourself
In order for your body to heal, you’ve got to help it get stronger. To do this, you should consider setting some goals for yourself to help in your progression.
As you set these goals, Elizabeth Quinn, a contributor to Very Well Fit, recommends that you be smart about what goals you set and how you set them. For example, you should set goals that are more focused on recovery than on any kind of performance. Also, you should consider speaking with your doctor or physical therapist before you set your goals to ensure that they align with your recovery and are realistic for you to attain.
Live in the Present and for the Future
When you’re feeling down about your injury, you may find that you’re thinking about the past and how you used to be healthy and active. But rather than dwelling on these thoughts, InspirationFeed.com advises that you try your best to live in the present and for the future. It’s not going to do you any good to try to live your life like it was before, and comparing yourself now to yourself then will only serve to make you miserable. But if you can seek to just get a little better each day, you’ll find that you’re much happier and that your recovery is easier to manage.
If you’ve had a major injury, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you learn how you can move forward from this point.
Image Credits: Priscilla Du Preez
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