Getting involved in sport or a group involved in exercise (in my opinion) is one of the best things a person can do. Not only obvious physical benefits, but also the psychological and social aspect of simply being around like-minded people. Usually, these like-minded people are there for the same reasons as you. A competitive natured, open minded, progressive human being who values their health and enjoys being competitive in a sport setting or simply with themselves in a gym environment.
I have a strong opinion on the relationship between being physically active and academic performance in school going children, and I would be fairly strong on the link between the same and performance in your place of work, in which I have discussed in my previous blog.
What is not told to general exercisers, and aspiring athletes, is that injuries can and will happen. When these injuries occur, they have the potential to cause negative psychological effects – especially if they are recurrent or long-term injuries!
Whilst writing this, I am currently two weeks post-op after my third ACL operation. Yes - third! Even though the physical pain is ever present, this time, it was the psychological issues that caused the most problems. Each time I have torn my ACL it was a simple movement that I would have completed thousands of times prior. Catching a kickout, collecting a kick pass, and jumping for a kick pass - all three leading to a crippling injury.
This time though, I was aware of the pain and knew exactly what was coming. Hospital, X-Ray, no bones broken, MRI, ‘total ACL rupture’, surgery, get back to everyday life, and then rehabilitation. Sounds straight forward. Far from it.
The psychological issues that came, and that are still there can be tough to overcome. Regardless of whether you have a serious leg injury, or that niggling little wrist injury that has not left you for years, it is important to understand and address the psychological barriers that will inevitably come your way. Understanding the mental side of injury and taking steps to manage it can be just as important as the physical recovery process.
When you're injured, it's common to feel a range of emotions. You might (and will) feel frustrated, angry, or upset that you're unable to participate in your usual activities. The feeling of isolation from your usual environment (the gym you train in or the team you play with) can play on your mind, and the big question will always be ‘Why me?’. It's important to acknowledge these feelings and understand that they're a natural response to what you're going through.
One of the biggest challenges of injury is the uncertainty that comes with it. You might not know how long it will take to recover, or if you will be able to return to your previous level of performance. This can be a source of anxiety and stress, which can further impede your recovery. You will always hear “Oh be careful with that, Johnny was never the same after that injury”. The chances are Johnny mentally threw the towel in and did not complete a thorough process of rehabilitation with a solid support team. There are plenty of people, both regular exercisers and athletes, who come back stronger from an injury because they used their time off to better themselves from where they were before the injury.
At this juncture, the importance of a positive and resilient mindset now becomes the most useful tool in your skill set. While it's understandable to feel negative emotions in response to injury, it's important to try to cultivate a positive mindset. Research has shown that athletes who maintain a positive attitude during injury are more likely to recover faster and with better outcomes than those who are pessimistic or defeatist.
One way to cultivate a positive mindset is to focus on what you can do, rather than what you can't. For example, if you've sprained your ankle and can't run, you might focus on other activities you can do, such as swimming or cycling.
By focusing on what you can do, you can maintain a sense of control and organization, which can help to counter feelings of helplessness or despair.
Another important aspect of a positive mindset is setting realistic goals. While it's natural to want to return to your previous level of performance as soon as possible, it's important to recognize that the recovery process takes time. Setting small, achievable goals can help you to maintain motivation and a sense of progress. This is where working with qualified professionals is essential when trying to return to exercise or sport.
While injuries can be frustrating and challenging, understanding the psychological effects and taking steps to manage them can make a big difference in your recovery process. By maintaining a positive mindset, setting realistic goals, and discussing the process with your family and team around you, you can navigate the emotional rollercoaster of injury and emerge stronger on the other side.
If you are currently struggling psychologically after a major injury and feel like you have no one to talk to, look for a sports psychologist in your area.
If there is anything we can do to help you in terms of injury, rehabilitation, lifestyle or body composition get in touch via email info@healthandperformanceacademy.ie, our website www.healthandperformanceacademy.ie, or our various social media platforms.