If you lead an active lifestyle, one of the most frustrating things that can happen is getting sidelined by an injury, even temporarily. Despite your best efforts to stay safe, these situations can still arise.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that productivity losses due to worker illness and injury cost U.S. employers $225.8 billion a year. While this statistic highlights the financial impact on companies, it often overlooks the personal toll on those injured. People’s lives can be significantly disrupted, making it challenging to return to a sense of normalcy.
However, challenging does not mean impossible. Here are some tips to help you stay active and healthy during your recovery process.
First, avoid overextending yourself during recovery, especially if you’re used to intense exercise routines. This is one of the quickest ways to aggravate or reinjure yourself, undoing months of progress.
A good habit to develop is gradually easing into activities rather than jumping in full force. Dr. Katherine Coyner, an orthopedic surgeon at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, advises warming up your muscles to increase their temperature before stressing them.
If you’re unsure how far you can push yourself, trust your instincts but also seek professional guidance. Physical therapists, for example, use various techniques to restore function and can offer practical advice. Ask them about low-impact exercises to strengthen specific parts of your body.
Next, be open to thinking outside the box to stay fit. Your favorite activity might be off-limits for now, but you can still find ways to get good cardio with minimal injury risk. Swimming or water aerobics, for instance, are excellent for people with IT band problems or stress fractures. If you have an upper-body injury, you can still use your lower body for activities like walking, stair-climbing, or using the elliptical.
Surprisingly, your diet plays a significant role in speeding up your recovery. While it might seem logical to cut calories due to reduced activity, the right foods can aid your healing. Start with anti-inflammatory foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids. If you have a bone injury, focus on foods and supplements high in calcium and vitamin D.
Another aspect often overlooked during recovery is the financial cost. Medical bills, specialized foods, and professional recovery services can add up. It’s wise to be prepared with an emergency fund.
Recovery involves more than just waiting for your body to heal. It requires both physical and mental adjustments and doing everything you can to support the process.
The best thing you can do is ensure you don’t go through it alone. Medical professionals can monitor your progress and ensure you stay safe while recovering.