Originally posted on https://www.injuredcalltoday.com/6-tips-to-better-recovery-after-a-car-accident/

Recovery from any injury in your life takes time and proper care. This is never truer than after a car accident. Because of the numerous different injuries caused by car accidents, there is no set time for healing. Each recovery time will be dependent on the person, pre-accident health, activity level, and severity of the injury. Here are six tips to better recovery after a car accident and ways that you can help speed the process along.

Have You Been Hurt Because of a Car Accident?

Have you been hurt because of a car accident and now you are left with the arduous process of healing? There are many steps to this process. You will have numerous doctor’s visits, missed days of work, and your only thought is getting better and back to your healthy life. This want for normality can cause a mental drain that hinders your healing process.

Recovering from an Injury Takes Time

You want to keep in mind that you are not on a set schedule for recovery from a car accident. You may have the desire to return to work or get back to life, but you need to let your body be the guide and follow its cues as to when you are ready to resume life as usual and when your healing process is complete. Recovery can take days, weeks, months, or even years, depending on the extent of your injury.

While you may see improvement in your physical injuries, another injury type will take even longer to heal. That is the emotional injury caused by auto accidents. This psychological trauma will take the longest amount of time to recover. You may find that you are afraid of driving or even to be in a car at all. This fear will pass with the proper time and treatment.

Tips for a Quicker Recovery Time

There are as many treatments for auto accident injuries as there are injuries themselves.  The list all of the injuries would take too long, so here is a list of tips for a quicker recovery and a complete healing process. The time it takes for this process to run its full course will vary for each individual and each separate injury, these tips will help the process along though.

1) Follow Your Accident Doctor’s Instructions

It is vital during the first few days of recovery that you follow your doctor’s instructions and recommendations. You should continue to follow their instructions throughout your recovery process to ensure that you are not causing any further damage. They will also be able to give you tips on exercises and routines that will speed your recovery process.

2) Rest and Stay Hydrated

Rest will be your body’s best form of recovery. Your body starts working to repair damage as soon as it occurs. The more it has to work, the longer the repairs will take.  Rest and keeping your body hydrated will allow your body to produce more of the healing cells for those that have been damaged. Because your body will not be exerting energy in other activities during rest, it will be able to focus all of this energy on repairing the damaged tissues, thus speeding up your recovery time.

3) Exercise

Exercise is also a great way to help your body heal itself. You will want to speak with an injury doctor before starting any exercise routine, and they can advise you as to when your body is ready to begin. Once they have given the okay, you will need to start slowly. It is advisable to start with stretches alone and see how your body tolerates the movements. Beginners yoga is good for this process because it will allow you to work into a more rigorous routine later.

4) Consider Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy treatment is a whole-body approach to healing. It stresses a routine that combines stretching, exercise, and diet to maintain and achieve the greatest healing benefits. You can find an auto accident clinic in your area and start with a consultation. Because physiotherapy treats the whole body, it is a great way to promote quicker recovery.

5) Eat Healthy

During your recovery process, you want to make sure your diet is full of proteins and vitamins. These two components will boost your body’s natural healing process allowing it to work better and in many cases, decreasing the time of recovery.

6) Give Yourself Time

This final tip is one of the most valuable. You need to give yourself time to heal. While this can be a frustrating time, it is a necessary time. Giving yourself ample time to heal completely before trying to resume regular activities will avoid the risk of further damage to injuries that were not completely healed.

Don’t Ignore Your Body or Your Doctor!

Listen to your body and start any exercise or new routine slowly. Do not push yourself in an attempt to achieve more. Follow your doctor’s advice and give yourself time. You will find that in no time at all, you have healed and moved past your car accident and the injuries it caused.