When you have a physical injury, it can be devastating in many ways, affecting you physically and mentally. Exercise is an important part of being healthy and when your mobility is impaired and you can’t exercise the way you used to, you may suffer from anxiety or depression.
You often feel useless and unproductive when you suffer a physical injury, especially if you are cooped up inside all day. It is more of a challenge when you have a physical injury to go outdoors and try to carry on with life, but it is very important.
You do need time to rest and heal
When you’re in pain and unable to go outside, your mind can run rampant. It may seem counter-intuitive, but you have to let your body rest and heal.
A few days off is crucial in rehabilitating a minor injury – and can prevent a more significant injury. Embrace the power of rest – read those books you’ve been meaning to read for years and watch Netflix shows that make you laugh.
Try to stay social
If you’ve suffered a more severe injury that puts you out of commission for weeks, it is important to keep contact with friends, even if you have to change the ways in which you see them.
At first, you may have to invite them over to eat takeout or watch a movie with you. Exchanging texts and calls with them will help you to keep contact and feel supported. As you become more mobile, you can start going out to visit them.
Mobility scooters provide an excellent way of getting about if your mobility is compromised. If you want to purchase one, make sure you buy it from a company that provides medical scooters because you need to be completely sure it’s safe. It’s no use venturing out and getting more injured due to a fall.
Being outdoors can alleviate stress and help your pain
Going outside into the sunlight makes you feel less stressed and just looking at the trees, plants and grass is therapeutic. Think about the scientifically backed practice of forest bathing, which is basically just standing in the woods. Even the natural scents of the outdoors, like cut grass, help to make you feel calmer and more relaxed.
Most parks list accessibility on their websites and many of them have paved trails that you can navigate in a wheelchair, on a mobility scooter, or with a walker.
Get enough vitamin D
Getting a regular dose of Vitamin D by being in sunlight is also essential for your body to function optimally. Vitamin D helps you to absorb calcium, reduces inflammation and can help to prevent osteoporosis, as well as other conditions. Vitamin D is present in some foods, such as salmon, but you get most of it from your exposure to sunlight.
Adjust to your ‘new normal’
When recovering from a traumatic injury, it is difficult to cope with the mental and physical changes. If you’re no longer able to work or exercise the way you could before, you have to make some adjustments. Try to do at least one thing every day to reduce your feelings of powerlessness and low self-esteem.
A physical injury is usually limited to one area of your body and so you still have ways to stay active. You can’t allow a physical injury to rob you of your life, leaving you depressed and anxious. Take advantage of the healing benefits of getting outdoors, even if it is more of a challenge for you than someone without an injury.