Returning to Exercise After Injury: 7 Tips to Bounce Back
Here are some tips to bounce back after an injury. The first and easiest tip would be to do all you can to prevent an injury, but that’s not always so easy…
Recovering from a sports injury, or any injury can require more than just physical therapy. There’s also psychological healing, which for many is more difficult to come back from. So here it goes, I could come up with 7 legitimate points to help you or someone you care about bounce back better. Read on, am I missing anything? If so, what has worked for you?
Be bummed— at least at first.
It’s important to mourn this loss, just like any other. There’s no need to be macho.
Then, get and maintain a positive attitude.
Once you shake off your feelings of sadness and loss, an optimistic outlook will speed the healing process while decreasing the emotional pain.
Focus on the “Now” and not returning to exercise after injury.
Don’t play the ‘coulda, what if’ game. You’re injured. Accept it and move forward so you can recover.
Set new goals for yourself.
They may be smaller at first, but that’s OK. The key is to make sure they’re achievable, and build up from there.
Take Ownership of Your Recovery
Don’t cut corners. Don’t resist or resent your physical therapy. No one’s making you do this. The only person who loses when you slack or sulk is you.
Continue to practice and work out while returning to exercise after injury.
Even if you’re temporarily sidelined, you can visualize playing your sport or activity you are missing. You can also improve other areas of yourself that can help you be better post-injury than you were pre-injury!
Seek out the support of your Teammates, Family, & Friends.
You’ll be tempted to isolate yourself. Don’t do it. Show up to that rec-league hoops game just for the camaraderie. Meet your running or biking group when they grab coffee or a beer at the end of their workout. The connection and inspiration are important.
Conclusion: Getting Back Is Part of the Process
An injury can interrupt your training, but it doesn’t have to end your progress. What matters is what you do next.
Don’t rush back just because you’re frustrated. Follow the guidance of your healthcare professional when appropriate, do the rehabilitation work, and when you’re ready to return, build yourself back intelligently. Start where you are now, not where you were before the injury.
Returning to exercise after injury isn’t about proving how tough you are. It’s about rebuilding strength, movement, conditioning and confidence so you can get back to doing the things you enjoy and continue doing them for years to come.
At Lake Country Training, we help clients with personal training, in-home personal training, private studio training, youth fitness, sports performance, nutrition coaching, GLP-1 coaching, online coaching and telehealth access through independent licensed medical providers.
We work with clients throughout Oconomowoc, Delafield, Hartland, Pewaukee, Okauchee, Nashotah, Merton, Summit, Dousman, Waukesha and the surrounding Lake Country and Waukesha County communities, with online coaching available beyond our local area.
If you’ve been cleared to exercise but aren’t sure how to get started again, don’t guess your way back. Get a plan. Progress appropriately. Rebuild what you lost and keep moving forward.
The goal isn’t just getting back. It’s staying back. If you need help, we are here for you. Reach Out & Fill out our Contact Us Form.
