There are few things worse than being injured—particularly when it prevents you from working or doing the things you enjoy the most. It’s not unheard of for an injured individual to want to rush his or her recovery time and get back on their feet as soon as possible. Pushing yourself past your limits can actually make situation worse, so it’s important to be patient with yourself. Check out these 4 tips for a quick recovery after an injury.

1. Rest

First and foremost, getting enough rest before you begin trying to rehabilitate your injury is absolutely crucial for a full and speedy recovery. For those who love to move and be active, resting will likely be the most difficult thing to do, but it’s also the most necessary. The body has to have time to heal, rest and regain energy before it starts trying to turn things around and rebuild strength.

2. Keep it Slow and Steady

You may start with walking a few miles a day on the treadmill just to get the body moving again. Low impact exercises like walking, biking or swimming are great to get started. Practicing a gentle form of yoga each day can be helpful for releasing tension in the muscles and increasing range of motion in the joints. Be patient with yourself while you get started—don’t push yourself too hard, even if you feel you’re able to go a little farther.

3. Mix It Up

Cross training is a great idea for creating balance in the body while you recover. Practicing a variety of exercises can help you stay fit while not overworking the part of the body that’s injured. A change in focus is a great way to strengthen other areas of the body while allowing your injury to heal. Use it as an opportunity to stay positive and focus on the good parts of your situation—becoming even stronger in areas of the body you may not have focused on before.

4. Listen to Your Body

Perhaps the most important tip for a quick recover after an injury—pay attention to what your body is telling you. Though you may feel discomfort much of the time while you’re rehabilitating an injury, you shouldn’t be in excruciating pain. If you find that you’re in extreme pain for hours after exercising, your body needs more rest. Give yourself a few days to recover. Your body truly is your best teacher.

A Final Note

Being injured to the extent that it prevents you from being able to do the things you love adds even more stress to an already horrible situation. According to Teaneck, NJ slip and fall attorneys, personal injury accidents commonly lead to neck and back injuries. In many cases, if you were injured due to someone else’s negligence, you could be entitled to compensation that may even help cover physical therapy—aiding you in getting back on your feet even quicker. If you experience an injury, take action as soon as possible.