Self-Care Tips Following A Traumatic Injury

Here are some common sense tips I have learned from injured clients and their providers over the years. Of course, I am not a medical provider, and you should always follow the advice of your medical providers. That’s even included in these tips. I hope you find them helpful in your own recovery, and that they serve as good reminders of things we all want to do to take care of ourselves, but that people recovering from traumatic injury may gain special benefit from.

1. Seek the medical care you need

Among your most important first steps after a traumatic injury is to get all of the medical care and support you need to get on the road to recovery. You may be tempted to “tough it out”. Some of your injuries may also be less obvious or may become more of an issue over time – make sure to seek care for these symptoms too if care is available to you.

2. Don’t neglect your mental health

You are not alone if you are struggling emotionally after an injury or loss; studies have shown that mental health struggles after trauma are common. Some survivors experience anxiety or fearfulness, while others may experience depression, sleeplessness or even anger. It is important to be patient during your recovery and your case, and to seek the right support, since mental health struggles can affect how quickly you recover. Little things can go a long way—spending time with family, friends and pets, engaging in enjoyable activities or seeking out comfort. Most importantly, the need to treat mental health is just as important as the need to treat physical injuries. Do not hesitate to reach out to a professional if you need help adjusting or coping. Be sure to talk to me about this decision as well, so we can talk about how mental health records are handled when we are seeking compensation for that care.

3. Get the right nutrition and drink plenty of water

An important part of recovery is to eat well, get plenty of nutrients, and stay hydrated. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics recommends making sure to eat a wide variety of foods and focusing on eating enough protein, vitamin C, zinc and calcium, all of which can help with injury recovery. If you are taking pain medications, increasing your fiber and water can help balance out digestive issues. Be cautious about not eating enough or stressing too much about eating exactly the right way – both of these pitfalls can hinder your recovery. Finally, many people make claims about the healing properties of foods or supplements. It may be tempting to follow these while you are feeling vulnerable, but double-check any claims against the recommendations of the Food & Drug Administration and your medical providers.

4. Balance your needs for rest and activity

Medical professionals recommend getting plenty of rest while you are recovering from an injury and focusing on healing. Many injuries may even prevent you from moving around normally, and brain injuries or emotional trauma can inhibit your normal activities. Take the time you need to take it easy and make sure to get enough sleep, since many of the processes our bodies experience while we are sleeping are critical to healing. Seek your medical providers’ recommendations for when and how to engage in activity. Introducing activity in the right way can help in the healing process and can be very important for your emotional recovery.

5. Financial care

My clients frequently experience financial stress or hardship following an injury, especially those who have been unable to work or cannot work as much or as effectively as they did before the injury. If you have benefits like critical illness or accident insurance or disability insurance, you will want to consider what you need and how to use these benefits to help your financial situation and recovery. I will fight for you to get the best possible outcome on your case and to address all of the financial losses you’ve experienced as a result of your injury.

6. Getting the right support

Your support system is critical to both your recovery and to your case. Family and friends can often help me understand the impact an injury has had on your life, and they will be important helpers and companions as you navigate your recovery. If you choose me to represent you, I will be honored to listen to the people around you, to advocate for you, and you will have peace of mind knowing that someone is fighting for you and in your corner, every step of the way.

Resources for additional help:

Consultations are free, and there is no obligation to do anything other than talk about your options. Call 303-339-8846. You can also schedule your free consultation with me at my office, at your home, or on Zoom/Facetime/Webex by clicking here. 