Mental Recovery and Motivation

Staying motivated throughout the recovery process and recovering mentally can be one of the biggest challenges after an injury, especially when you are recovering from a sport that you love. It can be frustrating having to relearn what you once were good at, but it is important to set small goals to keep your focus. For example, if you are a long-distance runner recovering from an ACL tear, you can focus on being able to jog ¼ of a mile every week, and slowly build it back up to however long you were able to run before your injury.

It is important to know that progress takes time and starting over is still moving forward. Think about it this way: if you had a major injury that left you bedridden, and you were able to get up to walk again, you would not take that for granted. That goes the same for recovering from an injury. Slowly getting back to the sports you enjoyed is better than not being able to play at all. Celebrating these small victories can help you stay optimistic and motivated throughout the healing process.

Positive Mindset

Trying to keep a positive mindset is crucial to recovery. Having thoughts of self-doubt and regret is normal, but sentences like “What if I had done that differently, would I still be injured?” or “What if I never perform the same again?” can negatively impact your mental health. Staying open and positive helps recovery, because when your mind isn’t in a good place, your body often reflects that too. Knowing that there are certain things you cannot control helps you make adjustments and make the most out of your situation.

For instance, instead of focusing on the regret you have for getting injured, you can focus on improving your skills and technique to avoid another similar injury. If your injury has affected your workout routine, then make a new routine! For example, if you’ve sprained your ankle, you can lift weights for your upper body. Try to adapt and have a growth mindset, and know that it will get better. Having daily affirmations like “I give myself permission to heal” may also be effective for some people, as it lessens the impact of negative thoughts. Overall, viewing recovery and injury as a normal part of athletics and just a bump in the road helps maintain a positive mindset, turning you into a stronger person after an injury and in general.