Heeeyho Readers! What made me recover so fast? Here's the simple truth.
Tomorrow, October 15, marks the seventh month since the accident that broke my leg. On Sunday, I’ll safely participate in a mountain biking cross-country competition. The past seven months have been of persistent effort to get back on track stronger than before.
Would such tremendous recovery, in record-time, be possible without healthy habits?
In this post, I’ll try to address some actions capable of speeding a severe injury. Keep in mind: Each incident is different, and so are our―the unfortunate―reactions, physically and spiritually. Listening to the doctor’s advice is the top-most priority, on top of general, day-to-day, health care. Given the considerations, let’s dive into it.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is key!
That is no news. A healthy lifestyle is not only beneficial for a speedy recovery after an accident, but for various other aspects. Covid-19-related deaths are significantly higher among obese individuals―which is the result of life-long bad habits. Other non-natural, unhealthy risk factors: smoking and drinking. Taking care of our body also prevents a whole set of diseases, from heart attacks to different types of cancers etc, etc. So, wait no more and start shaking that butt!
My tibia fracture
In my case: I’ve been eating healthy, exercising regularly, and boosting my immune system for years. The positive result came after the tibia surgery when I most needed that extra energy.
Inflammation levels stayed under control, blood clots were inexistent, and the stitches were dry and infection-free within days. Moreover, walking around in crutches would be a nightmare if I had weak muscles and extra weight to carry.
Later in the treatment, when I was able to swim, my previous cardio-respiratory levels allowed for non-stop one-hour sessions in the water. This low-impact exercise prevented further muscle loss and allowed me to maintain fitness levels in check.
All this contributed to a painless return to cycling six months later. Would I be able to swim without previous fitness activity? Possibly not. A sedentary body is most likely to suffer the post-effects of a fracture, including a heck ton of pain for when you are required to move.
Eating anti-inflammatory food helped immensely during the recovery phase, considering my body was not inflamed before. People who eat a lot of sugar tend to have greater levels of inflammation. I also avoid salt, which plays a role in maintaining blood pressure within normal limits.
The psychological side
Fracturing a bone puts a huge toll on our minds. Accepting the ‘new temporary normal’ is the first step. The second is to keep on rolling the healthy nutrition and moving the body under the doctor’s advice. It’s easy to let go of good habits during the recovery phase, which will guarantee impact depression and anxiety levels. For those who did not have previous good habits, post-surgery is the best excuse to start.
To summarize
- Exercise regularly
- Eat healthy, natural food
- Enough sleep
- Boost vitamin levels
What are you waiting to change your habits? You certainly don’t want to undergo surgeries of any sort to wake up… and if you do, better have the body ready. Right?
Working on mobility
Physiotherapy is a pain in the behind. We cannot escape this phase when fracturing a bone. Now, imagine working on your mobility after a fracture, when your previous state was as rigid as dry meat. Let alone when the first month is resumed between the sofa and bead. This is no problem when we already have a stretched-out body.
Stretching regularly helps us:
- Improve performance in physical activities.
- Decrease risks of injuries.
- Move through a full range of motion.
- Work more effectively.
- Recover faster!
If not for my stretching habits, I'm 100% sure most of the movements I performed on physiotherapy would be impossible. That said, stop reading and go stretch!
Enough convincing?
Although this post focused on post-injury speedy recovery, I believe this (obvious) information benefits everyone. Remember that precaution is the best medicine, and in case you ever injure yourself, you better be prepared.
I hope this generalized report serves as inspiration for those procrastinating and postponing their goals for a better lifestyle. Don’t wait until tomorrow!
If your move for change includes cycling, don’t be afraid to contact me, as I’ll be more than glad to help.
Stay safe!
Did you know that I have a book out? Check this!
Access Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/6500272773?
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~Love ya all,
Disclaimer: The author of this post is a convict broke backpacker, who has travelled more than 10.000 km hitchhiking and more than 5.000 km cycling. Following him may cause severe problems of wanderlust and inquietud. You've been warned.