Seven Ways to Get Over an Injury as Fast as Possible
May 08, 2020 10:42 AM EDT
Injuries are often a part of life. Whether you sustained an injury playing a sport, doing yard work, or you slipped and fell at home, every one of us will experience at least one injury during our lifetime.
Injuries can be painful, which may make you want to heal as fast as possible, but they can also be inconvenient. Some injuries can keep you from doing the things you love for weeks on end, while other injuries can even keep you from going to work.
No matter what kind of injury you have or how you got it, follow these tips, and you can get over your injury as fast as possible.
Consider an Attorney
Not every injury requires an attorney, but it never hurts to talk to one anyway. Most attorneys offer free consultations where they will be able to tell you if they can help you develop a case or not at no cost to you. For example, you may be surprised to discover that an attorney can increase your chances of filing a successful claim with your insurance company.
Scheduling an initial consultation can also be a great way to determine if a particular attorney is a good fit for you and your case. Different kinds of attorneys specialize in different kinds of injury cases, some attorneys speak Spanish, while others may have an impressive record of money recovered.
See the Right Medical Professionals
Every injury should be seen by a professional. They can tell you how severe it is, they can provide you with a prescription, if necessary, and they can provide you with specific tips on how to help your particular injury heal as fast as possible.
The trouble is, finding the right medical professional can be hard! If you're not sure who to see first, it's always worth scheduling an appointment with your family doctor or going to the walk-in clinic. They can refer you to other medical professionals, like a physiatrist.
Stretch and Exercise
Rest is important when you're healing from an injury, but that doesn't mean you should park it on the couch for days on end. It's still important to get exercise. You just have to be careful not to do too much, too fast.
Even if you may be used to jogging, you may want to skip the run and go for a walk instead. It will be much easier on your injury, especially if you have a foot or a leg injury. Water aerobics can also be a great way to get moving if you're sore after an accident.
Stretching is especially important. As you're healing, new tissue may be grown, and without proper stretching, it can be too short or too tight. You'll end up spending more time recovering because you'll have to re-condition the new tissue after your injury has healed!
The trick is not to overdo it. Speaking with a doctor or a physical therapist can ensure you stretch the right muscles the right way to prevent further injury.
Stay Hydrated
Staying hydrated is important when recovering from an injury. As your body works to repair the injury, proper hydration can ensure things move along quickly, while reducing swelling at the same time.
Water is the obvious answer if you want to stay hydrated, but that doesn't mean you're stuck drinking water all the time! There are other hydrating drinks you can enjoy that include:
- Milk
- Fruit juice
- Tea
- Coconut water
Staying hydrated doesn't always mean what you drink. There are things you can eat to stay hydrated too.
Many fruits are full of water that can keep you hydrated when you're hungry or you don't feel like drinking another glass of water. Watermelon is an especially good choice. It's mostly water, after all!
Get Plenty of Sleep
Rest is important, but it's not the same as sleep. Resting can help you prevent another injury, but sleeping is the best way to boost the actual healing process.
Sleep conserves your body so it can focus on healing instead of other activities that you may be engaged in while you're awake. Those who get the recommended amount of sleep heal faster than those who don't.
From keeping the temperature nice and cool to going to bed at the same time every night, there are a lot of things you can do to get more sleep. However, if you're still struggling, consider a sleep supplement that can help you fall asleep faster and stay asleep.
Be Patient
Patience is important in all areas of life, but it is especially important if you're healing from an injury. No matter how well you take care of yourself, you aren't going to heal overnight. It's important to be patient with your injury.
It means being kind to yourself while you heal, but it also means leaving your injury alone! Don't pick at your wound and stop dressing your injury every hour, on the hour. You've got to leave your injury alone so it can get better on its own. Bugging it will only make the process take longer.
Listen to Your Body
There are lots of recommendations out there on how to heal quickly. Many of them can be found on this list! They are a great place to start if you want to heal fast, but not all recommendations are effective for every person. It's important for you to listen to your body.
For example, if you go to stretch one day and it's more painful than usual, don't feel bad if you stop. You can always give it a try again tomorrow. If you can't sleep, get up and read a book instead of laying there for hours on end.
An injury can really throw a wrench in how you go about your daily life, so it's important to get over your injury as quickly and safely as possible. The tips on this list will help you do just that!
