Getting a sports injury that takes you out of the game can be difficult on the body. Injuries can also be hard on the mind as a serious athlete. Sports injuries often give athletes the blues, which has negative mental effects, on top of the physical injury. If you got hurt and are now on the sidelines, don't let this stop you from training mentally and physically for your sport of choice. Here are some tips for keeping yourself mentally well and ready to get back into the game.
Go over your physical therapy schedule with your doctor
If you have had a break, a muscle pull, or a sprain, this can take you out of the game for at least a few weeks. Instead of sitting around, your doctor is likely to prescribe a regimen of physical therapy to heal your injury and get your muscles back into sports condition. Injury rehabilitation is crucial to healing your body and getting back into shape. Along with physical therapy let your doctor know if you are having negative mental experiences. If so, ask for support groups or therapy recommendations to keep you mentally in shape.
Go to the games
Even though you may not be able to play, you should continue to go to the game and sit with the team on the sidelines. One of the reasons why you should keep yourself on the field is because you will receive valuable instructional time on the playing field. Going over plays and getting heat of the moment instruction from the coaches is an experience all players need. Remaining on the field with your teams will keep up your adrenaline and sports knowledge. Lastly, still being in uniform and on the field means that you will feel like a member of the team. Still being a team player will chase away the blues.
Go over play and practice materials
Missing time practicing and playing means that you may miss out on new plays that the team creates. To go over plays, get the blueprints from your coaches. Along with manual instructions, video tape both games and practices. You can watch the games and practice materials while you work during rehabilitation. This can give your therapist, one like Eagle Center Physical Therapy, an idea of the type of bodily motion you need to have in your limbs and joints to truly be prepared to send out on the field. Keeping up with your training courses will keep you mentally busy and you won't have time to concentrate on any negative injury related feelings. All of your effort will go towards getting back in playing shape.
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