When we're injured, we feel physical pain.
But as our bodies recover, we need to also be treating the mental and spiritual pain that accompanies the injury.
Let's discuss how a physical injury affects our minds and spirits, and how they can get relief.
Injured body.
Seeking medical care is one of our first reactions when we sustain an injury.
We apply basic first aid steps of Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation.
Serious injuries require a doctor's care and appropriate therapies.
When the initial pain, inflammation, and swelling lighten up, we feel our bodies are on the road to recovery.
We start to feel as if we will heal from this injury.
We are vulnerable in this early stage because we may not know how long recovery will take, and because we may not be prepared to cope with permanent changes.
Injured mind.
Our injuries may have affected both our cognitive and emotional abilities.
Any injury to our nervous system can affect our thinking.
Even if our cognitive thinking is not injured, we might not get as much mental stimulation when we are injured because: oEveryone is focused on our physical state oCareers, hobbies and other mental outlets may be on hold oOur physical surroundings may be limited during healing Getting mental perks can help your recovery and distract you from physical pain that might otherwise seem overwhelming.
Read books and hear audio books.
Listen to music.
Ask your friends and family to visit, and to spruce up your environment with bright colors or new artwork.
If you are in a hospital, speak with an art therapist for activities.
Emotionally, coping with injury pain is an individual experience.
Injuries change our work, hobbies, sports, and social lives.
Everything that gives us a sense of belonging and identity is affected when we are focused on a physical injury.
The loss of our routines and the shift to new ones create emotional and psychological challenges.
Seeking the guidance of a counselor or psychotherapist can help recovery and prevent long-lasting scars.
Injured spirit.
Becoming injured can affect us spiritually.
Losing physical abilities, temporarily or permanently, can cause us to question our known existence.
When our bodies change, our identities change.
If you belong to a church or an organized religion, you should keep in contact with other members of your faith.
Seek the comfort of your pastor.
Another way to get a spiritual lift is by getting outdoors and connecting with the natural world.
Spend some time in a park, by a lake, or in a meadow.
Visit a bird sanctuary or botanical gardens.
While you focus on your physical healing, think about healing from the inside-out.
Take care of your whole self.