Overcoming Injuries
Published 2024-06-11 by Louise Moorey
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Getting an injury can feel like hitting a roadblock, but it doesn’t have to be. If you have an injury, it’s OK to feel frustrated, but don’t let it stop you from doing something! I sprained my ankle pretty badly and I’m still working on recovery. I allowed myself a few days off to sit and feel sorry for myself, but I quickly realised that wasn’t going to help me in the long term. So, I got back in the gym and focused on what I could do.
Here are a few tips if you are working through an injury:
Listen to Your Body
Respect your body’s signals. If something hurts, don’t push through it. Pain is a way for your body to tell you that something is wrong. Ignoring it can lead to further damage and prolong your recovery time. Take the time to rest and heal properly. Resting doesn’t mean you’re giving up; it means you’re giving your body the care it needs to come back stronger. Use this time to focus on things that you do have control over like nutrition and sleep.
Modify Your Workouts
Just because you’re injured doesn’t mean you need to stop moving entirely. Modify your exercises to accommodate your injury. Focus on low-impact activities that won’t aggravate the affected area. For example, if you’ve injured your ankle, focus on upper-body exercises or seated workouts. If it’s a shoulder injury, lower body exercises can keep you active without straining the injured area.
Get Creative
Explore alternative forms of exercise that don’t worsen your injury. Swimming, cycling, or yoga can be great options to maintain your fitness while giving your body the chance to recover. Swimming provides a full-body workout without putting pressure on your joints. Cycling can be done on a stationary bike with minimal impact, and yoga can improve flexibility and strength without high-impact movements.
Stay Positive
It’s easy to feel discouraged when you’re sidelined by an injury, but try to stay positive! Use this time to work on other aspects of your fitness, like flexibility or mobility, that you may have neglected. Focus on what you can do rather than what you can’t. Journaling might be really useful for this!
Talk to a Professional
Consult with a professional who can help tailor a workout plan specifically for your injury. They can provide expert guidance on safe exercises and modifications to prevent further injury and promote healing. A professional can also offer techniques for pain management and recovery strategies that you might not be aware of.
Setbacks are a natural part of any fitness journey. They don’t need to stop you from making progress. Use this time to build mental resilience and adaptability. Remember, progress is never linear.