Staying Sane and Maintaining Fitness While Recovering From Injury

Getting injured means more than simply dealing with limited mobility and persistent discomfort. It can also be emotionally draining, particularly if your favorite sport or exercise routine is your regular source of feel-good endorphins. Additionally, in the back of your head, you worry that you won’t be able to ever get back to your pre-injury fitness level.

Here’s a quick guide to staying physically and mentally in shape while recovering from injury:

• Be a glass-half-full kind of person. Think of it as a forced break or an opportunity to work other muscle groups, rather than as a negative.
• Try exercising an entirely different muscle group from that of your injury. If you’ve got a knee injury, consider working out your upper body and vice versa. Ask your physical therapist about cross-training activities that are suitable for the type and extent of your injury.
• Cry it out if you need to. If it hurts to rehab your injury, there’s no shame in letting some tears flow. There’s no medal for toughness.
• Watch what you eat. If your injury requires a break from exercise, that doesn’t mean a break from your healthy diet. No exercise, combined with a return to an unhealthy diet is a double whammy.
• Seek support from those in the sports community, as there will likely be others who have suffered the same injury you have. There’s strength, and advice, in numbers.
• Take your time, get some rest, and don’t overdo your rehab exercises.

Ultimately, keep in mind that your injury is only temporary. Call us at 212.876.5200 or fill out this form and let’s talk about getting you back to the sport or exercise routine that you love.