How to cope with a physical injury

Have you ever felt at your physical peak? Your confidence is at an all-time high, your self-esteem is strong and you’re at ease with your mental mindset then … BOOM … injury? Well, you are not alone!

PROJECT:ME, Vicki, gives us the lowdown on how to pick yourself up

I will be honest I’ve always been disciplined with my physicality; I’ve been a dancer for over 20 years. It’s vital for me to fulfil my role that I look after myself and make sure I recover from gruelling training sessions. I take care of myself and ensure I eat well and give my body time to rest. But sometimes the universe has other ideas. It wasn’t until I got older that I have started to experience twinges and bigger recovery times. An injury stops you doing what you love doing best and at times it has got quite frustrating.

STOP and listen to your body

The lesson here is to LISTEN TO YOUR BODY. Your body is telling you it needs to rest. It also helps you realise how to adapt to situations if your job is physical. Making sure you recover fully is so important! An injury that’s not properly healed is likely to give you ongoing pain, or more problems. Get regular professional treatment and (where advised) light exercise will also help.

Food and sleep are also great contributors to recovery, so make sure you’re bringing in all the goodness! Look after yourself to ensure you recover as quick as possible, this will also benefit your mental health. Don’t forget to be kind to yourself on your healing journey, it’s not your fault, you’re only human!

Try these simple mindset tips too:

• Surround yourself with people who care for you
• Keep a routine of your day
• Get some fresh air
• Remember to make your mental wellbeing a priority during your physical healing process