If you are into your health and fitness, and love playing sports, an injury can stop you in your tracks. While you may have the mindset of ‘get up and go’, the last thing you want to do is cause further damage to your body.
No matter the sport or injury, here are 5 useful tips on how to recover faster from a sports injury, getting you back to doing what you love much quicker.
Follow the RICE Method
If you have experienced a soft tissue injury, such as a muscle tear or a sprain, it’s important that you perform immediate first aid treatment which can help reduce pain, inflammation, and prevent further complications.
The more popular acronym to follow in sports recovery is ‘RICE’, which stands for rest, ice, compression, and elevation.
If you have any signs of injury, it’s crucial that you refrain from further physical activity, otherwise this can cause further stress and complications down the line.
Stay Hydrated
Every athlete understands the importance of hydration. When recovering from a sports injury, it’s important that your body gets plenty of water to help speed up the healing process.
When your routine is thrown off by a sports injury, it can be all too easy to forget to keep your body hydrated as much as you normally would do.
While you may not be playing your favorite sport or running tons of miles, your body is still hard at work building and mending new tissue to repair or replace what was injured, meaning you need plenty of hydrated to keep your body in good shape.
Eat More Protein
We all know how important it is to follow a healthy, balanced diet. If you play sports, you will know only too well how crucial it is to incorporate plenty of fruits, vegetables, and protein into your diet to keep your stamina levels up.
However, after a sports injury, instead of falling off the wagon and gorging on junk food, make sure that you pack plenty of protein onto your plate.
While processed food may be more convenient in the short run, eating junk food can increase your blood pressure and put you at a higher risk of suffering from a heart attack. Once you’ve healed from your sports injury, you will want to get back into the game with ease, rather than having to change your diet.
Comfort is Key
When taking time off to rest from a sports injury, it’s important that you are comfortable and relaxed which can help aid recovery. To start with, you should purchase a mattress that supports any injuries that you may have.
There are various options to pick from like a like a queen sized mattress with memory foam which can help speed up the healing process.
Ease Back into the Game
Before you get back into playing sports, it’s advised to ease yourself back into the game. Rather than pushing yourself to the limits, it’s best to take things slow and steady, as the last thing you want is to
get another injury. Your body will be fragile at first, so working your way back into playing is recommended.
If you’re an athlete, the last thing you want is for your sports injury to end your season early. From losing valuable time at the gym, to sitting on the sidelines, a sports injury can play havoc with your mental and physical health.
While it can be frustrating to take time out, it’s important that you focus on the road to recovery to help ensure you’re fighting fit and ready to get back out there. Taking all the tips listed into account can help speed up the recovery process.
