Dealing with injuries

I know a few things about injuries - hopefully you’ll never end up like me in that picture (both legs broken, pelvis smashed, arm, ribs and jaw broken, lungs full of fluid). But irrespective of the severity of injuries we pick up there are some key things you can do to improve your chance of returning to peak Health & Performance.

Coping strategies

While injuries and setbacks are the bane of every athletes life, using the following advice you will come back faster and healthier with these skills.

 

5 Steps to help your approach to injuries

 

  1. It is OK to be angry and upset. Get angry, cry, then get on with the job of returning to full health again.

  2. Gather as much information as possible. Why did the injury happen? (and how can we stop it happening again)

  3. Find experts to help you. Work with your team of coaching staff, physios, doctors, nutritionists, dieticians, psychologists, biomechanists, whoever we need to help.

  4. Goal setting. Review and reset your goals and milestones, both for the recovery and for the macro plan.

  5. Fill in the space. The time you would normally be training needs to be actively filled. Develop you self identiy and social links. Help out with your club / team, use the time on other hobbies, read and learn more about your sport (or other topics).

 

These things happen

 

Even with brilliant planning we can still suffer injuries and setbacks. They can often feel catastrophic but they are rarely as serious as we initially fear and can often be a valuable part of the process of growing and improving as an athlete.

 

Use mastery orientated thinking

 

By using mastery orientated thinking you can cope better with a setback as can expecting, preparing and planning fo setbacks.

 

We can’t always control the situation, but we can control our response to it

 

There are a large number of factors that will impact how we respond to an injury and these include our belief systems, attitude to change, self-identity, support network, and personality traits. Take proactive action to help you deal with the situation.

 

Technology

 

While recovering ensure you use of technology is supportive and not an additional stress or pressure such as social media