Few things are worse than getting into a car accident. Aside from the actual pain of the injuries you receive, there’s also the trauma of being in an extremely dangerous situation where you have little to no control.
Car accidents, regardless of the severity, are often a nightmarish experience. But sometimes, the most difficult part of getting into an accident is the recovery period afterward, especially if the injuries you have sustained make daily life a struggle. Nevertheless, there are lots of ways you can make the most out of life while recovering from the physical and mental trauma of an accident, and we’re here to show you the best ones:
See a mental health professional
Whether it’s a psychologist or a psychiatrist, seeing a mental health professional can help you process the trauma of the accident you’ve experienced. Even mild car accidents can be highly stressful for a person. Experiencing something that could have put your life in danger is not something that can be taken lightly, even if your injuries are mild. You may even be plagued with flashbacks of the accident or experience nightmares days or weeks after it has occurred; something that can negatively affect your mental health and make it harder to recover.
That said, it’s highly recommended to see a mental health professional if you feel that the accident is causing you excessive amounts of distress. Ask your trusted motor accident lawyer for a referral to a therapist; they will readily have someone to recommend.
Eat right
When you’re injured after a car accident, daily tasks can be a struggle, especially cooking. And if you’re used to cooking for yourself, you may find it hard to prepare meals while your body is still in pain or if you physically cannot work in the kitchen. However, turning to takeout and convenience foods is not going to benefit your situation–in fact, it can even make matters worse since high-calorie foods can lead to weight gain and depression.
Make it a point to eat as healthily as possible while recovering from an injury. If you can cook, prepare the simplest dishes made from fresh, minimally-processed ingredients. Otherwise, fill your diet with foods that don’t require cooking (fresh fruits and vegetables, whole-grain cereals and bread, low-calorie microwavable meals) and ask someone to help you meal-prep homemade dishes. Apart from keeping you from gaining weight, eating foods rich in vitamins and minerals will help speed up your recovery.
Reach out
Recovering from an injury can be tough, but it can be even more difficult if you’re isolated from your friends and family.
Keep your support system close as you need it to be. If you are physically limited because of your injuries, ask people to come over and hang out or communicate virtually to stave off the loneliness. Otherwise, try to spend time with people outside as much as you can–the time away from being cooped up at home will do you good. Moreover, don’t hesitate to ask for help when you need it; your loved ones will understand if you are struggling with daily tasks because of your injuries, and they will likely be more than willing to extend their help.
Spend time on your hobbies
Having limited mobility due to your injuries is awful, to say the least, and you are likely out of school or work while recovering. But on the bright side, you can use this impromptu time off to engage in hobbies that you never seem to have enough time for before the accident, as long as you can do it safely given your current situation.
So whether it’s marathoning your to-watch list or working on a novel, spending time on things you enjoy is a great way to stay motivated while stuck in a situation that you don’t want to be in.
Get some exercise
Rest is a vital component of recovery after an injury, but that doesn’t mean you should settle for sitting on your couch all day and binge-watching TV shows. Physical activity is also imperative to recovering from injuries. Your doctor and physical therapist will likely give you some exercises that you can do while recovering at home, so make it a point to follow their instructions.
Exercising may sound awful while you’re injured, but it’s going to help speed up recovery as well as give your mental health the boost that it needs to stay positive during this time.
Recovering from an accident is easier when you take it upon yourself to make it easier. By following these tips, you can not only make the most out of this trying time, but you can also help your injuries heal faster than they would otherwise.
