Aging Gracefully and with Great Health

How To Stay Motivated To Recover After A Sports Injury

27 October 2014 by For Content

After you have suffered an injury that has led to you being unable to compete in the sport that you love, you may feel discouraged from taking the steps you need to take to return to your old self. Physical therapy is a lot of work and can also be painful. Many of the exercises that your physical therapist asks you to perform can be very repetitive, so you may also become bored. Here are some ways to stay motivated during the recovery process.

Injury as an Opportunity

Think of the injury as an opportunity for personal learning and growth. It is a time to learn how to overcome obstacles and return to the point where you can compete again. Prior to your injury, you may have been constantly focusing on how you could push yourself to the next level. Continue with this mindset, but focus now on how you can push yourself to recover more rapidly.

Focus on What You Want

Continually focus on the thing that you want to achieve after you have completed your physical therapy. If you want to return to the sport you love, focus on that sport whenever you are performing your exercises.

Think About the Positives

Though injuries can feel like setbacks, there are also positive aspects to an injury. It provides you with time to step back and reassess your strategies. Many sports players become much better after they have had some time off to recover and rebuild their athletic abilities. The more you focus on the positive, the more you will be able to stay motivated.

Consider Getting a New Therapist

If you do not feel motivated, part of the problem might be that you do not have the right physical therapist. You will need one who will match your personality well and who you will feel comfortable around. After you have had a conversation with your physical therapist, you will need to ask whether you feel motivated or if you simply feel confused or discouraged.

Track Your Progress

Tracking your progress can make it more easy to complete your physical therapy because you will see how you are progressing. Educate yourself as much as possible about your condition so that you will know how far you have progressed in your recovery.

Find a Buddy

If you know someone else who has also suffered an injury, try meeting with him or her and performing your physical therapy exercises together. By sharing the experience, you'll be able to motivate each other, you may feel less bored and you'll be with someone who understands what you are going through. While physical therapy is purely physical, if you master the psychological elements of it, you will succeed.

If you are in need of physical rehabilitation services and are a senior citizen, Holly Heights Nursing Home is a great local place you can visit.

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