Your first reaction to any injury should, naturally, be to get yourself checked out by the doctor and follow their tips towards recovery. However, the impacts of an injury can go well beyond just the physical, and if we don’t address the underlying damage it can cause, it can take us even longer to recover. Whether you’re dealing with an accident, a sports injury, and assault, or otherwise, then here are some ways to make sure you’re actively getting control of your life back.

Always be moving towards recovery

Immediately after an injury, your doctor may look into treating to prevent pain and aid recovery in the short-term. However, deeper injuries can take longer to heal, and, for those that cause chronic pain or loss of independence, you should also look into long-term solutions such as physiotherapy. Talk to your primary health care provider about other professionals that might be able to aid your recovery. Make sure that you’re also taking the appropriate amount of bed rest and getting active in a way that is safe and likely to aid your return to full health. You are often more in control of your own recovery than you might think, but don’t take any action without seeking the appropriate advice.

Take control of your finances

If you have bills to pay and costly responsibilities to meet, then an injury can suddenly put you in a financial crisis. As such, if you’re put out of work, you need to look at seeing what disability and sick coverage you are afforded. If someone else is responsible for your injury, then you should ensure that they’re paying for the costs incurred by the injury as well. That’s precisely what a personal injury lawyer is there to assure. Some people will do what they can to avoid paying, and you may need legal assistance to prove that they are, indeed, responsible. The evidence-gathering side of a personal injury case can begin instantly after the injury, so it’s wise to ask for their help as soon as you’re hurt.

Look after your mental health too

Physical injuries don’t just affect our physical health. They can have an impact on our mental and emotional health, as well. We might feel less confident as a result of having to depend on others or feel guilty about being unable to provide for our family. Those who experience assaults, workplace accidents and car collisions are at risk of experiencing PTSD. Holding onto your peace during difficult circumstances can be difficult, but it’s not impossible. Speak up to your friends and family, look for local support groups, and talk to your doctor about any counselors they might be able to recommend if you’re dealing with the stress and anxiety that are a common side effect of injuries.

An injury can harm you a lot deeper than just the physical. As such, it’s important to make sure that we’re looking at ways to recover to regain control beyond just the physical, as well.

This is a contributed post.