After a sports injury it is common for an athlete to feel down, discouraged, and even depressed. However, studies have found that mental outlook does have a direct effect on recovery progress.

Keeping up a positive attitude can be difficult when the injury and recovery process means a drastic change in lifestyle, as it does for many active people. It is easy to become discouraged when the health and vitality once taken for granted is not available.

Fear, anxiety, less sense of self-worth, anger, and unrealistic expectations are all common reactions to severe sports injuries. Acknowledging that these feelings are normal and acceptable are part of the healing process, recovery will take time and improving mental outlook will make the process smoother and possibly faster.


How to Help Improve Mental Outlook During Recovery

Keep a solid social circle. If the patient cannot still play with teammates, make sure they have a few friends in recovery. A circle of friends can make a big difference. Expect setbacks. A disappointment can come as a shock to a person who has been able to rely on their body to perform. Make it clear early that there will be bad days and set backs, but they are only temporary.

Set small workable goals. These goals, when reached can improve mental outlook greatly. It is important that the goals are reachable. It is better to have several reachable goals than one big one.

Come up with a solid pain management plan. Even the most positive outlook can be tainted by constant pain. The patient should have various techniques to escape the pain outside of medicine. When a patient in rehabilitation gets down, they should know that it is common and each day is another chance for improvement in both the physical and mental. At no point should they be permitted to feel that the current outlook is permanent.

Recovery can seem like such a slow progress that keeping up a positive outlook can be difficult for many people. A good sports medicine New Haven will look at the whole person to help improve mobility and decrease pain.