There is probably no nobler pursuit than being an athlete. However, regardless whether you do this for a living or for recreation purposes, things might eventually go south. Either because of inadequate gear, lack of attention or simply pushing your body too hard an injury will appear sooner or later. This can turn out to be quite problematic, and it is your attitude and an immediate course of action that will determine its significance. By neglecting it, you allow the injury to take its toll, but by taking the wrong recovery steps you can even make the situation even worse. In order to be safe, here are 5 tips you should follow during your recovery from a sport injury.
1. Do not underestimate it
Of course, it would be absolutely wrong to believe that every bump and scratch could permanently damage your body; however you can never be too careful. Because of this, every time you experience a severe pain, or have a recurring pain of smaller intensity, you should see a doctor. So, the right answer to the question- when you should take your injury seriously is when your doctor tells you to do so. It is always better to be safe than sorry so any time you suspect something is off, you should definitely ask for a professional opinion.
2. Arm yourself with patience
Now, if you go to the doctor in time and do everything he or she tells you to do, the recovery will be on the right track. In fact, it might even go so well, that you might become overconfident and falsely start believing that you are completely cured. This attitude is as dangerous as it gets. If your physician claims that the recovery takes 5 weeks, it doesn’t mean that 3 weeks or 4 weeks. Disregarding this rule, will only make things worse and potentially even return you back to the beginning.
3. Some additional help
Rehabilitation of any injury is a difficult and lengthy process, which means that it is not something you can do on your own. Apart from having a trusted physician on your side, it is also a great idea to acquire some additional recovery tools. This will not only further facilitate the entire process, but also make it easier for you to endure. In this extremely difficult set of circumstances, any help should always be welcome.
4. Proper diet
In order for your body to completely recover, it will have to be in top condition which means that a proper diet is a definite must. The most important thing about your new diet is that it is holistic and well-balanced. With this in mind, a lot of proteins and a lot of fiber rich foods are a must. Although there are many myths and misconceptions about this, no nutrient should be excluded from your meals, not even fats or carbs. Finally, a hydrated body often recovers faster so you should intake a lot of fluids on a daily basis. Fresh water should be your optimal hydration tool but even an occasional green tea could be a good idea (because of its detox properties).
5. Take it easy
Even after your body is completely recovered, this doesn’t mean that you will just be able to pick up where you left off. Due to reduced intensity of your trainings in the previous period (or even a complete absence of them) you simply won’t be what you were before. Still, if the recovery was complete and you play your cards right, you will be back on the horse in no time. It is not a rarity that an injured athlete returns bigger and mentally stronger than he or she ever was before.
An ability to recover from a defeat of any kind is what separates the best from the rest. With this in mind, there is no greater insult to an injury you suffer than for you to rise after it, even stronger than you were prior to it. By following just these few simple steps, you will guarantee that your injury will not weaken you in any way. This is what being a true champion is all about.
