An injury can be one of the most wearisome events in an athlete’s life. It takes a heavy mental toll. Often times, it seems like nothing is helping and it is easy to find yourself plummeting deeper into a disheartened slump. But your mindset during an injury is crucial for recovery, and many studies have even shown that a positive mindset actually accelerates the recovery process. Here are four of the most common feelings and thoughts during an injury and how to overcome them.
1. Frustration: “Of Course this would happen to me”
Don’t victimize yourself. It’s so easy to start feeling bad for yourself, but that is going to get you no where. Not being able to compete or even practice is one of the most frustrating things an athlete experiences, but do not alienate or isolate yourself from others around you. Instead, increase your social support. Find your support network and use it in a positive way. For example, rather than sulking, which will just bring others down as well, use your friends, teammates and family as motivation and resources. The most powerful healing influences do not come from PT or medicine but from the people around you.
2. Anxiety: “What if this doesn’t get better…?”
A major source of anxiety when it comes to injuries has to do with self-identity. In other words, who are you without your sport? Many people fear this question because they do not know the answer. When you cannot play your sport, there is oftentimes a sensation of emptiness you need to fulfill. Realize that you are not defined by your sport nor controlled by it. You are in control of your own life, so grab onto the wheel and start driving. Life is bizarre and things usually don’t turn out the way you think they will. Accept your injury, put the key in ignition, and drive toward coming back even stronger than before.
3.Depression: “I think I’m depressed”
Maybe. But that sadness and desolation does not last forever and at some point, it is up to you to use the situation to your mental advantage. You may be wondering, “how would I be at an advantage by being injured?” Just as you keep your muscles in shape by physical training, it is crucial to keep your mind in shape by mental training. This is the perfect time to work on the mental side that is often overlooked when your practicing regularly. Mental training is usually undervalued but it is just as important as your physical training, if not more. During an injury, begin to practice positive self-talk. Even if you don’t believe what your telling yourself yet, “Fake it ‘til you make it.” Eventually, you will begin to believe the positive things you tell yourself and you will be able to carry over those skills for when you get back on the court or field.
4. Hopelessness: I’ll never get back to how I was before
You have to have a wider perspective to gain a solid foundation. Having the mindset that you will never get back to how you were before your injury is letting the smaller picture enclose on you and suffocate you. A shortsighted mindset will blind you from seeing the bigger picture and restrict you from making clear goals to get back. But there is no way for you to know what the future will bring. Instead of fearing what could happen, set goals for yourself now and focus. What can you control? For example, you can control your therapy and cross-training routine. Being injured sucks, but there are countless stories of injured athletes who have thrived in the face of adversity rather than shrank away from it. Peyton Manning’s best season came after his neck surgery. Adrian Peterson had one of the best seasons of his career and as an NFL running back after his ACL surgery. Michael Jordan broke his foot at the beginning of a successful career, and people thought it was the end of promising talent. Five years later, he won his second NBA MVP award and first of six NBA titles.
I’m talking about a total shift in mindset. See your injury as an opportunity instead of a drawback. I agree, it is not fair. But that is out of your control now, and the key is proactivity – don’t sit back and wait for something (or nothing) to happen. As Michael Jordan said, “some people want it would happen, some wish it would happen, and others make it happen.”
