| 14/07/2022 |
If you exercise regularly, injuries and unwanted time away from training can be a frustratingly familiar scenario that not only impacts us physically but more so mentally. While it’s important to take a step back and let your body heal, the toll that it can have on our mindset is one that many people struggle with the most. Here are five tips to help deal both physically and mentally with time away from what you love.
Personal Trainer and Online Coach Lucy Lismore shares with us five tips to stay motivated during injury-
Focus on what you can do, not what you can’t
If you train regularly, being sidelined by injuries can make it tempting to dwell on what we can no longer do.
Training most likely feels like a part of your identity, and to have this taken away from you can be hard to accept.
Instead of focussing on what you’re currently unable to do, try to shift your focus to what you are able to do.
There is almost always something you can do to stay moving whether it be modified versions of your regular training, an opportunity to learn something new or switch your training focus.
Not only will this help you maintain as much of your strength and fitness as possible but also, more importantly, keep you mentally stimulated.
Be pro-active with your recovery
Injuries are often accompanied with a feeling of powerlessness. Having, and pro-actively working on an actionable treatment plan not only helps your body heal, but also gives you back some of the control.
Seek out the right advice from a professional and commit to putting your energy into doing everything you can for the best recovery possible.
Look for a silver lining
No matter how bad a situation, there is always something positive that can be taken from it.
A small amount of time off from training can give you some much needed rest and relaxation and you will most likely come back with more energy and passion for training then ever.
If you’re in this for the long haul, perhaps it will give you the chance to build that fundamental strength again when you get back- to improve on the little things we often let slide through our training, and at the very least train with a newfound appreciation for a healthy body and the ability to exercise.
Remember- muscle memory is real
We can all relate to the feeling that you’ll lose everything you’ve worked so hard for while you’re injured.
The science supports the fact that one or two months off training, if you maintain good nutrition, will have much less impact than we may think.
Expect that when you get back into training you may have to take a slight step back, but muscle memory is real and you will be back where you left off much quicker than you might expect.
Know this will pass
It can sometimes feel like this will last forever. It’s important to remind yourself that you will get better and be able to do what you love again.
Our bodies are incredible and when you eventually get back into training it will be just that little bit sweeter when you haven’t been able to do it for a while.
LUCY LISMORE IS PERSONAL TRAINER, ONLINE COACH AND TRAINEE MOUNTAIN LEADER WHO SPECIALISES IN FAT LOSS, CALISTHENICS AND ADVENTURE. YOU CAN FIND MORE FROM LUCY HERE
