Nobody plans to go out and get injured. Unexpected injuries can be tough, not to mention quite painful. But one of the hardest parts comes when your body is injured and your brain is still running at full capacity. It’s easy to slip into despair, and it’s not uncommon for injury victims to hyper fixate on their newfound inabilities and limitations. This is not healthy for your mind or healing for your body, and it can cause patients to spiral into a negative headspace.
Believe it or not, you’re not alone in this! This is a fairly common struggle, and we’re here to help you out of your slump. Read on for some tips and tricks to keep a positive attitude and protect your mental health in the face of unforeseen injury.
- Don’t Dwell on the Past. One of the first things you’ll need to do to promote recovery is remove any mental block that’s keeping you from moving forward. Maybe you keep replaying the incident that led to your injury over and over in your head. It’s time to accept the reality of your situation, let go of past regrets, and focus on healing in the present and future.
- Create Uplifting Moments. Be intentional about spending time with friends and family who can support and encourage you. Compile a playlist of your favorite music to keep your spirits up. Reread one of your favorite books as a way to rest and relieve tension.
- Expand Your Horizons. Perhaps you’re unable to engage in some of your favorite pastimes due to your injury. That’s okay! Recovery is the perfect time to explore new activities and learn new things. Broaden your horizons by consulting the internet and selecting something that looks interesting. You might just find a new lifelong hobby, which can be beneficial in and of itself!
- Maintain Healthy Diet. Proper nutrition and hydration are essential to the recovery process. Continue preparing and eating well-balanced meals, and keep a water bottle with you at all times so that you can get plenty of fluids.
- Challenge Yourself. Challenge your physical limitations just a bit more every day. While you should never push yourself too far and should always heed the advice of your physical therapist, observable progress can be a great relief to the mind.
Chiropractic can be a great resource for recovery after a traumatic injury. Not only will it treat your physical ailments, but it can be a positive influence on your mental health as well. Get in touch with us here at Wirth Chiropractic today to schedule a free consultation!
