If you asked most people what counted the most in their lives, you would get quite a few different answers. Some would say money is the most important thing, and who could blame them? Money opens doors and makes everything so much easier. Others would tell you that relationships count the most, because who can really go through this life without loved ones to help you in your darkest hours?
Truth is, while these are all very important factors, they don’t mean much if you don’t have one thing –– good health. You can’t enjoy wealth or relationships if you are in constant pain. This is why you need to look after your body as much as possible.
This starts by recovering from minor injuries as they happen; here’s how you can do that.
Eat well
Yes, eating well can really help you recover from the injuries you have sustained while working out. Injuries can happen when your diet doesn’t include as many nutrients as your body needs, especially protein. This is why it is important that you eat a lot of protein while trying to recover from a minor injury; it is basically what muscles are made of, and they need this element to recover faster and more efficiently. Your body needs protein to rebuild some muscle tissue and repair the damage that has been done. So, you need to eat different meals containing a lot of nutrients, but most importantly protein.
Get the right gear
Such injuries can happen in all sorts of places around your body, and you might need to get some gear to help you recover properly, and more importantly avoid further exacerbation of the injury you already have. As you can see on this URL, you might need to get compression socks, which apply pressure on your lower extremities to improve blood circulation and help you avoid swelling that results from standing or sitting for too long. Back braces are also quite useful if you want to alleviate any current back pain you are suffering from and improve your posture. This gear might appear to be unnecessary to you, but getting them actually improves your recovery and helps you heal faster.
Drink a lot of water
Most people don’t just seem to understand the importance of staying hydrated, not just for when you are working out, but also when you are recovering from an injury. A lot of athletes just seem to forget that it is essential to drink a lot of water even when you are not at the gym, because it can and will help your body recover. Water will help your body mend its damaged tissues and build new ones, taking care of your injury in the process.
Use ice
Ice is pretty great at relieving pain, and it can help your body recover from swelling and post-workout strain. It is best applied just after you sustain a small injury, because it will help reduce the swelling as much as possible, and it will make the recovery process a lot less painful and shorter. Apply ice for 20-30 minutes right after the injury, and keep repeating the process throughout the day to avoid muscle spasms and strains. Pro tip: never apply ice directly to your skin, but rather put it in a plastic bag and wrap the bag in a towel, and then apply it on the injured area of your body. You can also also use Tape for Sprained Ankle as well.
See a doctor
While those home remedies and techniques to recover are great, you should see the doctor if the pain persists or if you suspect you’ve sustained a serious injury. This is particularly important so you could understand why you sustained that injury and the underlying reasons behind it, which will help you be more careful in the future and avoid that happening again as much as possible. You’d be surprised at the technology used these days by sports physicians, as they can help you get to the bottom of that injury and know exactly what went wrong.
Sleep
One of the most crucial angles to recovery, one that most people don’t take into consideration, is sleeping well. Studies show that sleeping is more important to recovery than even nutrition, and this is why you need to make sure you get a good night’s sleep every day, as this will give your body the chance to properly recover.
You need to start easing back into your physical effort and usual routines after sustaining a minor injury. There is absolutely no rush, and you need to be slow with your comeback so you could avoid suffering another injury.