Coping with Injuries
Getting on track with an exercise plan is usually filled with rewards – we may have more energy, make new friends, increase muscle tone, improve fitness, and generally feel better. So what happens when we get injured along the way? Injuries can occur for many reasons including 'wear and tear', improper technique, overtraining, and physical contact with competitors in team sports. Apart from the obvious physical pain and discomfort we may endure, the psychological impact of injuries may go unrecognised. Psychological factors play a role in the occurrence and subsequent response to an injury. How we cope with an injury, like any set-back in life, will determine how successfully we recover and ‘get back on the horse’. Successful recovery includes:
-
Keeping a positive and patient outlook on the recovery process
-
Adjusting to our physical limitations – take it slow
-
Setting realistic short-term goals for rehabilitation
-
Liaising closely with health professionals such as physiotherapists, exercise physiologists, sport & exercise psychologists, and your local GP
-
Getting the support you need physically and emotionally
Everyone copes with set-backs differently – work out the best recovery plan for you and stick to it. Staying positive may be the best thing you can do for yourself; it is with a positive outlook that you can face life’s challenges head on – including those pesky injuries!
Article written by Linda Campbell, for Executive Results
www.performwell.com.au
