Did you ever wonder why it seems like one day an athlete is laying on the ground in pain from an injury, but the next week they are back to playing? It’s not because they actually heal faster than regular people. In fact, some sports injuries can still take months to fully recover from. But they do have some distinct advantages that make them less prone to injury and seemingly able to get better in a flash. Anyone can use these tips to help them recover more quickly as well.
They Are More Fit
Athletes already have the bodies of a Greek god. It’s no wonder they heal so fast. While that may be a stretch, part of the reason it looks like they get better so fast is that they are already very fit. Their muscles and exercise habits reduce the risk of injury and protect them when they do get hurt. So what would be a major hurt for a normal human, is just a little thing for them. Their fitness levels give them added protection when harm comes their way.
What can you take away from this? If you want to recover faster from injury, work on your fitness levels. Build muscle, stretch, and focus on your cardio.
They Eat Better
Athletes must be very strict with their eating habits. To maintain muscle mass and have the cardiovascular endurance they need means they eat very healthy. Lean protein, fresh vegetables, and Omega-3 fatty acids are some of the things you can expect on the plate of an athlete. These foods are filled with nutrition and help them maintain muscle mass even when they get hurt.
They Know How To Supplement
Let’s face it, you can’t always get everything you need in food. Supplements ensure you get the extra nutrients you need to get the gains you desire. Athletes are used to adding in protein powders, vitamins, and even nutrients like collagen to their diets already. When you’re trying to recover from an injury, these supplements make all the difference in the world. Collagen helps tendons and bones repair. Vitamin C reduces inflammation and promotes healing as well. Vitamin D stimulates bone growth, and Omega-3 fatty acid supplements help all of your cells.
They Have Access to Medical Professionals
From the moment they are injured, athletes typically have a team of medical professionals to help. While the average person might wait a few weeks to seek out help, athletes know their livelihood depends on them getting better right away. Whether they are in New York City for competition or a game, or they are near their home to get physical therapy in Union, NJ, these athletes know exactly who they need to call to start healing right away. Medical professionals help them discover what’s wrong and make a plan to help them rebuild, but also help them maintain their fitness so they can get back to work more quickly.
They Can Rest
Rest is one of the most important parts of healing from a sports injury. High performers often have a difficult time with this part, but if they are a professional athlete, they know they must rest. Athletes get the luxury of rest to allow their bodies to heal in the time it needs. Rest doesn’t mean you do nothing all the time. It means you sit when you need to. You elevate and ice the injury as needed and you don’t take on more than your body can handle.
They are Used To Recovering
Recovery is a normal part of life for an athlete. Recovery happens everyday they workout. They work their muscles hard, then do something to allow for recovery. Instead of overworking a muscle group, athletes know how to give their bodies what it needs nutritionally and physically to encourage healing and building. Unlike the regular population, they are skilled at these cycles.
Something the average person can learn is how to cycle through different exercises to allow for recovery. If you’re not used to the steps needed to recover, this process can feel awkward at first. One of the best things people can do to heal from an injury and be like an athlete is to learn how to recover. Recovery is not just healing, it’s getting your body back to the fitness level it was before the injury.
