Recovering from an Injury: Don’t Make These 10 Mistakes
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Getting injured can be frustrating in so many ways, and present you with challenges you never thought you’d have to face. It can feel like you have the world on your shoulders and like nobody understands what you’re going through.
With so much to think about, there’s also a lot that can go wrong. While everyone’s healing process will look a little different, it’s important to recognize common mistakes that people make when they’re injured.
We’re here to tell you what those mistakes are – take care to avoid making them yourself.
Neglecting the Admin
When you get hurt, there’s actually more admin than you would think that goes along with it. Leaving all the paperwork for the last minute can create a domino effect and leave you with even more headaches.
If your injury comes from an incident at work, a car accident, or any other instance where someone else might be at fault, then getting in touch with a personal injury lawyer is an important step to take.
You might need to get in touch with your insurance company, and you’ll also need to report the issue to your employer, especially if you’ll need time off work to recover.
Ignoring Medical Advice
If you think you’re a tough cookie (and we’re sure you are!), you might think you can handle your injury just fine without the bedrest and other medical advice you’ve been given.
This is a quickfire way to delay your recovery and end up spending even more time stuck in bed than what was originally recommended. Your doctors know best, and you’ll do well to listen to them.
Take any prescribed medications, rest your injury, do your rehabilitation exercises, and listen carefully to any other advice you’ve been given by health professionals.
Overexerting Yourself
The same type of people who think they don’t need to listen to doctor’s orders are often found pushing the boundaries of their injury as well.
It’s understandable that being injured and limited in your movements and abilities can be frustrating, but overexerting yourself while you’re still busy healing is counterproductive.
Instead of trying to get right back at it, take the time you need to recover and heal before you start moving around and exercising regularly again. Your body needs time to take things slow.
Neglecting Rest
Many people ignore the major role of sleep in recovery from injuries. Yes, not just bedrest or lounging on the sofa for two weeks while you heal up – actual sleep.
While recovering from an injury, it’s a good idea to be a little extra intentional about your sleep hygiene. Try to develop an evening routine that helps you wind down and get ready for sleep.
Avoid your screens for at least an hour before bedtime and try to relax with a book instead. Most adults need 7 or more hours of sleep a night, and pain that keeps you awake is worth raising with your doctor.
Skipping Your Rehab
This falls into the realm of ignoring medical advice, but rehab specifically is of major importance during recovery.
Skipping your rehab exercises can have a negative impact on how you heal and you might even permanently lose some of your mobility if you’re not working on what needs to be worked on.
Rehab can be uncomfortable, which is why so many people neglect it, but it’s an important part of your recovery. Some discomfort is normal; sharp or worsening pain is not, so tell your therapist and stop if an exercise hurts that way.
Poor Nutrition
We all know we need to eat our greens, but did you know that good nutrition is also essential for your recovery? Just like when you get sick, your body will need extra nutrients to put into the healing process.
Make sure you focus on a well-balanced and nutritious diet, with lots of lean protein, healthy fats like nuts, seeds, and avocado, and carbohydrates from healthy wholegrains.
Snack on fruits and veggies, and look online for some high protein snacks as well. Protein will play a major role in the rebuilding process, so it’s essential for healing.
Not Hydrating Properly
Water isn’t a cure, but you do hear about hydration often for good reason.
Your body needs enough fluid to work well, and that includes healing. The NHS suggests 6 to 8 cups or glasses of fluid a day as a general guide, and you may need more while you are recovering or in hot weather.
Forgetting Your Mental Health
Your experience wasn’t just physical, and nor is your recovery. Mental and emotional health plays a key role here, and your mental state can directly impact your recovery too.
Ignoring signs of poor mental health during your recovery can lead to an even longer recovery time due to increased stress, anxiety, and even depression.
It’s important that you find ways to relax and process your injury and whatever happened to cause it. If you need help from a professional, don’t be afraid to seek it out so that you can start feeling like yourself again.
Rushing the Process
Many people fail to recognize that healing is not linear. It can be a long and difficult road with plenty of ups and downs, and there’s no way to rush through to the other end.
Have patience with yourself and your healing, and try to focus on the good by keeping track of your progress and recovery. Instead of trying to speed up the process, try to embrace a little downtime and celebrate every step you move closer to recovery.
Ignoring Your Pain
Finally, a lot of those brave souls out there try to ignore the pain they’re feeling and push through it instead of managing it.
Take pain medication exactly as prescribed, and remember that any other treatments or exercises you’ve been given will help your pain in the long run. Tell your doctor if pain gets worse, changes, or isn’t controlled, since that can signal a problem. Don’t make the mistake of neglecting this aspect of your recovery just to prove to yourself that you can handle it.
Sources
- About Sleep, CDC
- Water, drinks and your health, NHS
