Number one

Recovery

It is normal to be concerned about a personal injury. Following the treatment protocols laid out for you by your health care provider is essential, but what else can you do? Is there more you can do to help yourself than just attend appointments? Yes.

Hydration
Drink 6- 8 glasses of water a day. This will ensure that the toxins and wastes that are being produced during the healing phase are flushed out and not allowed to deposit in nearby tissue.

Sleep
6-9 hours of restful sleep is required by a normal, healthy person on a regular basis to regenerate tissue exposed to normal wear and tear. Imagine the importance of sleep to a body recovering from a serious injury! Listen to your body. It will let you know when it needs rest. Sleep is when the body does it healing – give it the time it needs.

Eat Right And Eat Well
Picking the right foods (colourful fruits and vegetables, easily digested proteins and complex carbohydrates) and cutting out junk limits the strain on your digestive and immune systems and doesn’t tax your already depleted system. Where are materials necessary for the repair of damaged tissues going to come from if you aren’t eating them?

Mental Framework
Knowing the phrase “Mind over Matter” is not all it takes. There is more – you have to live it. Having a realistic, healthy and positive outlook makes a world of difference.

Support
Do what you can with what you have. We are all guilty of biting off more than we can chew so learning how and when to delegate can be an important skill. Ask for help and accept the help that is offered to you. Giving yourself permission to postpone or cancel events can give you the much needed rest your body needs.

Small steps make big gains over time so be patient and gentle with yourself as you heal and you may be surprised by how quickly things turn around!