After a catastrophic incident such as a car wreck, most people can’t wait to get back on their feet. While feeling eager to get better is understandable, you shouldn’t curtail your healing time. Even if you try taking a shortcut by continuing to work when you should be resting, chances are you’ll only prolong your healing time. Recovering from an accident takes time, support, and adequate care. Because car accidents can result in a multitude of injuries, there is no one specific set time for healing.
Your recovery time depends on the severity of your injury, your self-care routine during your healing process, and the health condition you were in before your car accident. Here are a few tips to help you recover from your accident so that you can resume your normal day-to-day activities.
Give Yourself Time
After a few days of bed rest, you may have the desire to go back to work and partake in your hobbies again. Keep in mind, you’re not on a set schedule to recover from a car accident, and your body will ultimately decide when you’re done the healing. Even though bones heal within a month or two, complete recovery can take days, weeks, or even months—especially emotional and mental healing, and if your injuries resulted in life-altering changes.
Car accidents, both big and small, can result in trauma. Moreover, you might even feel scared to step foot into your car, and you may develop a fear of driving. With proper self-care and professional treatment from a therapist, this fear will subside over time.
Listen to Your Doctor
The best thing you can do for yourself after a car accident is to follow your doctor’s instructions and recommendations. A doctor will provide you with a light exercise routine you can do to help recover from muscle pain. Although a doctor’s orders come first and foremost, you must also listen to your body. For example, if your doctor tells you that you should be fine within two months, but your body is still sore, then take more time to rest. Maintain open communication with your doctor about your pain and any progress you’re making.
Stay Healthy and Rested
Our bodies begin to heal themselves the moment physical damage occurs, and rest is the best gift you can give your body during this exhausting time. The more your body has to work while you’re injured, the longer your body will take to heal. A combination of rest and staying hydrated will allow your body to replenish healing cells. Since your body won’t be exerting any additional energy during your recovery period, it will be able to focus all its limited energy on repairing damaged tissues. Extra rest can even promote a speedier recovery. Additionally, you’ll need to ensure that your diet is packed with proteins and vitamins, as these will boost your body’s natural healing process.
If a negligent driver caused your car accident, you’d need to work with a personal injury attorney to receive the compensation you deserve. The personal injury attorneys at Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton can help you take care of the paperwork while you take the time to rest. Contact us to work with an experienced personal injury attorney.