3 Ways To Help You Cope With An Injury

It’s no secret that in any sport, there’s always risk for injury. That being said, it’s not uncommon for a cheerleader for a cheerleader to become injured, which can be very devastating in many ways. I, personally, have dealt with the hardships of being injured during the competition season, and struggled with finding ways to overcome the heartache of not being able to participate in the sport you love. There are many ways that you can help yourself when trying to cope with an injury, but here are a few of the most important ways that I found to be the most effective when I was going through the same thing.

1. First, it is important that you acknowledge your feelings and the reality that has now overcome your life. Although being injured is not something any athlete would choose to go through, it does happen, and it is crucial that you understand how you are feeling so that you can prevent any other injuries in the future. This relates to recognizing reality as well, because the sooner you can admit that you are hurt, the quicker you can begin the healing process and get back to the sport you love.
2. Find a way to stay connected to your team and your sport. Remaining involved is a great way to show your dedication to your sport, and a way to show that you aren’t discouraged because of what happened, but that you are determined to get back even better than before. When I was out for several months due to an injury, I attended every single practice as if I were still on the floor. I learned the choreography, the dance, and more. It is important that you make sure your coaches know how dedicated you are to the team, and that you will do anything to recover from this injury as soon as you can. It’s that type of commitment that makes a great athlete.
3. Start setting goals for yourself and what you want to accomplish in the future. It is very important that when you are injured, you don’t feel stuck. You aren’t hindered forever as long as you work hard and push through the pain. Setting small goals throughout my healing process helped me to understand that the improvement takes time, but that I was making progress, even if it was just bending my leg a little bit more than I did yesterday. Having something to work towards can help your confidence while you work on getting back to the mat to compete.

It’s common to feel as if you are alone when you are injured, but by having things to look forward to and to work towards during this hard time, it makes the process easier and more effective. What are some of the ways you guys try and cope when you are injured?