Unfortunately, injuries are a part of an active lifestyle – they come with the territory. Most athletes will experience a sidelining injury at some point in their careers. Knowing how to overcome the adversity by meeting the challenge of recovery head-on can make a dramatic difference in the extent to which the athlete regains the same full function that they had prior to injury. It also has a significant impact on the speed at which the recovery occurs. For athletes battling injuries, here are some excellent ways you can set yourself up in the best position to get back to the field or weight room as quickly as possible.

Meditation

Recovery from injury is much more than a purely physical process. It has a significant mental aspect as well, and that must also be addressed to achieve a full, speedy recovery. Both for pain management and to establish a deeper sense of well-being, many athletes find success with meditation. Having the right mental state with a positive focus on recovery is crucial when an athlete has been injured. Overlooking the mental aspect of injury may seem intuitive, but it is actually quite wrong.

Regular Stretching

Slow, methodical, targeted stretching is a great way to keep ligaments and muscles loose during the recovery process, especially for those who are sedentary because of their injuries. Yoga is an ancient Indian spiritual practicethat focuses on body movement and flexibility. It has recently gained attention from physical therapists who see the value of this stretching discipline for injury recovery. You don’t need to be flexible to begin yoga, and accommodations can be made for your injury. Yoga carries little risk of aggravating your current injury or causing new ones because it is very low-impact and meditative. In fact, lack of stretching is a major contributor to injury in the first place. A solid yoga routine can help an athlete come back from an injury more flexible than before, reducing the likelihood of future injuries.

Even More Ideas

It should be noted that hot tubs have some benefits for athletes, and you may want to take advantage of them. Hot tubs can loosen joints, improve sleep quality, improve circulation and reduce stiffness. These are all important functions that can streamline your recovery process. If you have access to them, both massage and hydrotherapy can be very helpful as well.

Make these strategies part of your recovery plan. If you do, you’ll return to the field or weight room strong and healthy in no time.

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