Saturday, February 8, 2014

Don’t Be a One Crop Farmer: Recovering from an injury

This past week, I over did it swimming and I’m dealing with a rotator cuff issue. I can’t feel too sorry for myself though as one of our very talented local athletes sustained a major injury in his snow sport and is having a hard time figuring out a new goal, as Nationals is no longer an option.

Someone once told me that they had a serious problem because they were a “one crop farmer,” which basically meant they had only one activity in their life. I’m realizing the older I become the importance of diversification in all things-work, food, habits, learning, friendships, beliefs etc.- is important. Further,  I’m also reminded that while goals are helpful, it really all about the process- Invest in the Process of Healing.

Without belaboring the point, we aren’t always comfortable trying something new as we tend to prefer what’s known and safe. However, when you are laid up from an injury, boredom, anxiety and even depression can quickly follow. There is a silver lining here.
According to Action for Happiness,  Learning affects our well-being in lots of positive ways. It exposes us to new ideas and helps us stay curious and engaged. It also gives us a sense of accomplishment and helps boost our self-confidence and resilience. There are many ways to learn new things - not just through formal qualifications. We can share a skill with friends, join a club, learn to sing, play a new sport and so much more.
Need some ideas of new things to learn? Check out the archives of “Take a Break,” as there are hundreds of things to try and at least should be something you might enjoy.  

Below are some resources to consider that pertain to injuries and recovery.
• Psychology of an injured athlete: How you can help: Handout from the University of Kentucky Sports Medicine program. Identifies a number of things you can do. Note that this can be a slow download. 


• The Mental Side of Athletic Injuries  Useful for caregivers regardless of age. 


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