By Alexandros Dapis
Who does not admire the story of a famous athlete, recuperating from a serious injury? This is very apparent in the world of sports. Take, for instance, Michael Jordan and his astounding recovery, from a fractured bone in his left foot to winning multiple NBA Championships with the Chicago Bulls. But for every moment of renown we witness, there are countless hours of hard physical and mental work that takes place under the table.
Nine months ago, I had a serious injury during a basketball match. At first, I thought it was nothing serious. But then, towards the end of the match, it was unbearable. Immediately, we visited the orthopedic, whose diagnosis was a rupture outside the meniscus. Consequently, I stopped playing basketball, the sport I loved, and I followed a specific recovery exercise program. I had sparred with sadness and anxiety issues for literally as far as I can remember, and it is no secret that it was inextricably linked with a wide range of emotions which included anger, denial, and irritation. With this accident I felt desperate and unfortunate because I missed basketball at the time, knowing that time will pass until I go back to playing it again. Seeing my teammates by the sideline, I felt frustrated, not being able to help. This experience made me want to help people who suffer from an injury, recommending them various ways to feel better while recovering, respectively.
Nowadays, sport has become an integral part of our everyday lifestyle. Unfortunately, no matter how good a player is, injuries are unquestionably a part of the journey, which can result in a variety of psychological reactions, and even pose a psychological burden that deteriorates their quality of life. These psychological reactions could be sadness, feelings of isolation, irritation, lack of motivation, frustration, anger, alterations in appetite, sleep disturbance, and feeling disengaged.
When we experience an injury during exercise, we tend to forget about the impact on our mental health. Thus, it is imperative to move beyond the negative effects, cope with this setback, and understand that emotional reactions to injury are normal.
On November 23rd, an interview was conducted with Kostas Kakaroudis. He is a Greek former professional basketball player from Serres, who is a 2.o4 m tall power forward.
“The emotions were intense and vivid” he said. Despite the fact that he was in pain, he stayed emotionless because he knew that his family and friends were watching him. After the game, he could not contain his anger, but ultimately this did not keep him back. He, for sure, missed the intensity of the games, the joyful feelings of victory, and the sense of belonging with his team, but he thought that the best was yet to come. He felt nostalgic about the feeling after practice when his body and mind were free, but by changing his lifestyle according to his recovery plan, he immediately felt better. He got used to this new reality and had to see the light in the cracks of negativity. “It was hard to stay optimistic in the beginning” he highlighted. One time, Kostas decided to watch the game in which he was injured. As the moment of his accident approached, he immediately turned off his TV. When I asked him why he had this reaction, he implied “I could not watch this happen again!” From his point of view, recovery requires a lot of patience, perseverance, and planning but eventually, it is nothing to be miserable about. “Bad things happen, we move on”, Kostas stated.
Taking into serious consideration, this interview, my personal experience, and information I found after thorough research, I have discovered seven psychological ways an injured athlete can feel better while recovering.
Set realistic and appropriate goals
Goals give a starting point and a destination to reach. By identifying your goals and aiming for a target, you will create a map for success. SMART is an acronym that stands for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Timely. I have also used it before and found it extremely helpful.
Specific: Define the goal as much as possible.
- Who, what, where, when, why?
Measurable: Track your progress and measure the outcome to stay motivated.
- How will I know when it is accomplished? Which steps do you need to take to accomplish it? The process?
Attainable: Set an achievable goal.
- Is the goal reasonable enough to be achieved? What resources do I need to achieve it?
Relevant: The goal matters to me.
- Is the goal worthwhile and realistic? Is this the right time?
Timely: Define the time frame to keep accountable.
- What can I do in six months from now? What can I do today?
Be Optimistic
Remember, it will not always be that bad. No matter how tired, anxious, drained you are, always remember that you will get better. It may take some time, but it will be worth it. Visualize a healthy you, going back to playing your favorite sport again.
Take control
You may feel powerless and helpless, but there are still many things that can help you feel productive and keep you in the right frame of mind. You can always make conscious choices and occupy your time with other hobbies and passions. No one wants to be injured, but take some time to think about what has it allowed you to do you weren’t able to do before? Such as get a break from work, read a good book, catch up on a show, or watch movies you have been meaning to watch.
Stay Social
Keep up with your social calendar as much as possible. By talking to beloved ones and friends, spending time with positive people, you will soon realize that they are there for you and they can easily distract you from disheartening feelings.
Try to relax
Go easy on yourself, to rejuvenate yourself, restore some energy, and control stress. It is important not to push yourself, as it may lead to further injury. Note that healing and resting are their own kind of productivity.
Keep a reflective journal
Keep a record of everything you do, regarding your goal setting. This will not only help you keep track of your process, but it will also prove exceptionally useful when the time comes to reflect and write down to improve, which things you did wrong and which right.
Learn about the injury
Gathering information about the injury, the treatment, and the duration may relieve you from stress and anxiety issues.
References
- Herring, Stanley Herring, et al. “PSYCHOLOGICAL ISSUES RELATED TO INJURY IN ATHLETES AND THE TEAM PHYSICIAN.” PSYCHOLOGICAL ISSUES RELATED TO INJURY IN ATHLETES AND THE TEAM PHYSICIAN: A CONSENSUS STATEMENT , www.sportsmed.org/AOSSMIMIS/members/downloads/education/ConsensusStatements/PsychologicalIssues.pdf.
- Putukian, Margot. “Mind, Body and Sport: How Being Injured Affects Mental Health.” NCAA.org – The Official Site of the NCAA, 11 July 2017, http://www.ncaa.org/sport-science-institute/mind-body-and-sport-how-being-injured-affects-mental-health
- Smith, Lydia. “How a Sports Injury Can Affect Your Mental Health.” Patient.info, 23 Sept. 2019, https://patient.info/news-and-features/how-a-sports-injury-can-affect-your-mental-health
- Quinn, Elizabeth. “7 Ways to Cope With the Emotional Stress of an Injury.” Edited by Michael Lau, Verywell Fit, 17 Mar. 2020, www.verywellfit.com/the-emotional-stress-of-a-sports-injury-3120689
- Muska, Scott. “What a Physical Injury Taught Me About My Mental Health.” NBCNews.com, NBCUniversal News Group, 23 Oct. 2017, www.nbcnews.com/better/health/what-physical-injury-taught-me-about-my-mental-health-ncna811166
- “Coping with Season-Ending Injury | Athletes Connected.” YouTube, YouTube, 2 Nov. 2017, www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQD50SUIe7k.
Contact : 20171028@student.anatolia.edu.gr