At least 67% of athletes will experience a sports related injury throughout the course of their career. Some are minor, and others unfortunately are career ending. Regardless of how severe the injury, there is a period of time where anxiety or depression creeps in and starts to mess with the mind. Follow these five tips to address any feelings that appear on the road to recovery.
Accept your feelings
It’s normal to experience a range of emotions, including sadness, frustration, and anger, after sustaining a sports-related injury. Acknowledge these feelings and accept them as a part of your healing process.
Stay engaged with your sport
Just because you can’t physically participate in your sport, it doesn’t mean you have to disconnect from it entirely. Stay involved by watching games, following your team, and attending practices. This will help you maintain your connection to your sport and feel less isolated.
Seek support
Talk to family members, friends, or a mental health professional about your injury and how it’s impacting you emotionally. Sharing your thoughts and feelings with others can be therapeutic and help you process your emotions.
Focus on what you can control
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed and helpless after an injury, but focusing on what you can control can help you feel more empowered. This might include following your rehab plan and getting plenty of rest.
Stay Patient
Recovering from a sports-related injury can be a long and frustrating process. It’s important to stay patient, even when progress is slow. Celebrate small victories along the way, and remind yourself that every day is a step forward in your recovery.
You got this!
