Anytime you’re injured, it’s important to take care of yourself physically and psychologically. When injured, your body goes into a stressful mode that can be harmful if maintained for too long. For instance, when your body goes into “fight or flight” mode, it pumps adrenaline and cortisol through your body. If you don’t take the time to relax your body, that mechanism won’t shut off and you could end up with permanent damage.
Here are some self-care tips for recovering from a serious injury:
1. Treat symptoms of inflammation immediately
Inflammation isn’t the enemy – it’s your body’s natural response to trauma that serves to protect and heal. However, inflammation that lasts too long can be damaging. You’ll probably be given a prescription for some kind of anti-inflammatory drug, and there’s nothing wrong with relying on medication when necessary. However, if you’re the kind of person who prefers natural remedies, there’s another option: CBD.
Studies have shown that certain cannabinoids modulate inflammation and reduce neuropathic pain. That’s why so many people are using CBD to treat inflammation and neuropathic pain. Although contraindications are unlikely, talk to your doctor before using any CBD products.
2. Don’t underestimate your recovery costs
When you don’t know how long your injuries will take to heal, it’s easy to underestimate your recovery costs. Allow your lawyer to fight for as much compensation as they feel is appropriate, even if it seems like too much money. When your medical bills pile up, you’ll be extremely grateful you didn’t refuse a higher settlement.
A lawyer will fight for as much compensation as possible to account for the potential long-term cost of your injuries. For instance, the Kindley Firm points out the difficulty of estimating how much physical therapy will cost long-term. When you don’t know how long your recovery will take, you can’t accurately predict your expenses. You might need weeks or years to completely recover. A personal injury lawyer who is familiar with similar cases will have an idea of potential complications and unexpected expenses you might incur.
Those unexpected expenses also include lost wages that can extend into the future for an unknown period of time. You might think you’ll be back to work in a couple months, but what if it takes a year?
3. Avoid stress – don’t underestimate your medical costs
Underestimating your recovery costs can cause extreme stress. The most important rule of self-recovery is to reduce stress as much as possible. Nothing generates stress like unexpected large hospital bills.
For example, say you go to the hospital to get checked out and they order a CT scan. You may not realize a CT scan can cost thousands of dollars and your insurance might only cover a few hundred bucks. If you knew the true cost beforehand, you’d be able to think critically about whether you actually need a CT scan or not. You would be empowered to request a cheaper test first, like an ultrasound. Ultrasounds don’t pick up on everything, but if there’s a possibility it might – it’s worth trying first.
4. Meditate daily
A simple daily meditation will do wonders for reducing your stress and keeping your body from feeling overwhelmed. The more relaxed you are psychologically, the easier it will be for your body to recover.
You don’t need to do any special kind of meditation. All you need is a quiet room, a blindfold to block light and allow your eyes to relax, and a pillow to sit on. Sit on your pillow in any comfortable position, pull your back up straight, close your eyes, and inhale several deep breaths. Your heartrate will begin to slow down and you’ll feel more relaxed. You don’t have to focus on anything at all. When thoughts arise, observe them and let them go.
If you feel like a guided meditation will work better, check out Mindful.org’s article titled The top 10 Guided Meditations of 2018. The list includes a basic breathing meditation, mindfulness and compassion meditations, and even one for easing into a good night’s sleep.
Your emotional state will affect your physical healing
Support your body’s recovery by maintaining a sense of calm throughout the day. If you’re sensitive to nervous system stimulants, avoid sugar and caffeine.
Reacting to stressors won’t change your circumstances and a disrupted emotional state will prolong your physical healing. The best thing you can do to promote healing is to give your body and mind some rest.
