An injury may seem as unfair to someone who has been physically active or healthy. An injured athlete may often question everything from their identity, and purpose, and fear that they may never be able to return to pre-injury levels. Coping with the stress of an injury requires physical and psychological resilience. In the following article, we’ll understand how sports psychology and a positive mindset can help cope with an injury.
How to cope with an injury?
Coping with an injury may take several weeks or even months. Trust the process and seek guidance or support wherever necessary. Here are some steps that you may follow to cope with an injury:
Learn about the injury
Understand the cause behind the injury and its impact on your body and performance. Learning about your injury can help you and your caregiver take better measures of coping.
Rest well
Your body takes time to heal. Provide it the necessary time to rest and cope with the injury. Straining your muscles or the injured area may further worsen the situation and cause complications.
Pay Attention to your body
Understand how your body moves and responds, especially during rehabilitation exercises. It makes you aware of the pain and what relieves it, setting realistic expectations for yourself. Learn and meet your body’s needs instead of ignoring them. It will not only help cope with the injury but even help you prevent future injuries.
Take responsibility
Accept your injury and take responsibility for it. It will help you focus on your recovery, instead of focusing on your decreased performance. It also boosts your confidence and helps you set realistic goals for your recovery.
Accept help
For someone independent, it can be difficult to accept help. Recognise that accepting help from your loved ones can help in your rehab process. Positive energy can help boost your spirit and cope with your injury.
Respect your feelings
If sports or athletics is a huge part of your life, as a hobby or even a career choice, then an injury may affect your physical and mental state. It is vital to recognise that an injury is temporary and that you have a greater goal to achieve. Respecting and accepting your emotions is the first step to recovery, and can help you focus your energy on rehabilitation. Focus on the present and channelise your energy to improve.
Focus on rehab
Rehab is a vital part of your recovery process. Like your performance, stay consistent with your rehabilitation exercises.
Impact of a positive mindset
According to a study conducted by Levleva and Orlick in 1999, it was found that a positive mentality through the rehabilitation period contributes to a shorter healing time. A positive mindset charges your brain and helps the body to recover with reduced pain. Recovery using a mind over muscle power while engaging in relaxation training and mental imagery help reduce stress and increase positive thinking.