Even with today’s enhanced car safety features, responsible drivers sometimes still get into car accidents because of situations beyond their control, such as drivers who are on their phones or texting, drivers who are under the influence of alcohol or drugs, severe weather events, or dangerous road conditions. When you have been hurt in a car accident, you might not only suffer from pain and a lack of mobility, you may also experience mental health problems such as depression and anxiety. If you have been injured in an auto accident, read on for four tips that can help speed up your recovery.
Find and Hire a Qualified Personal Injury Attorney
A rep from SteinLaw, an Aventura accident lawyer, notes, “If you have been injured in a car accident, your first step should be seeking legal representation, after seeking medical attention. An attorney can help you seek compensation to cover medical bills and lost pay while you concentrate on rebuilding your life.” Just knowing that an experienced lawyer is working on your case will give you peace of mind and make your recovery faster and easier.
Increase the Amount of Time You Spend with Friends and Family
While it’s always a good idea to spend time with your family and close friends, it is especially critical when you have been hurt. Family members can help with household chores like laundry, shopping, paying bills, meal preparation and cleaning. Knowing that your everyday needs are being taken care of by people who have your best interests in mind can go a long way toward easing any anxiety you may be having, allowing you to concentrate on getting better.
When family members and friends are available to talk to and do activities with, someone who is injured feels less isolated and alone, especially when they are not feeling well or are upset that they can’t work or participate in their normal activities.
Make Sure You Eat Well and Get Plenty of Rest
A healthy diet is essential for good health all the time, but when your body is recovering from an injury it needs even more good nutrition to help speed up the healing of broken bones and injured tissue. Consuming some types of food can also help fight off depression. If you are not sure what you should be eating, you can consult a nutritionist. In general, though, fruits and vegetables, such as greens, apples, carrots, berries and squash are all good choices
Make it a point to abstain from alcohol and foods high in simple carbohydrates, like baked goods, white bread, chips, French fries, and sweet breakfast cereals. These foods can elevate your blood sugar and result in significant weight gain, especially if you are not able to be very active. High carbohydrate foods can make healing from an injury take longer, and consuming alcoholic beverages, like wine, beer, or cocktails, can make depression symptoms worse and might interfere with prescription medications.
Getting enough sleep is also essential for healing and good health. If you are having trouble sleeping, it’s important to consult your doctor.
Use Your Downtime to Do Things That Make You Happy
The time you need to rest and recover from a car accident can be used to catch up on your reading, see films you’ve always wanted to watch, reconnect with old friends, work on creative projects, and anything else that you have been wanting to do but have not had time.
Television streaming apps like BritBox and Sling make it easy to watch dozens of films and television programs. Devices like the iPad, Kobo, Kindle and Nook allow you to quickly download books and movies, and even audio books. Depending on where you live, some digital media products may be available to download for free from your local library.
Consider Volunteering at a Food Bank or Other Nonprofit
If you are able to get around on your own, consider volunteering at your local food bank, homeless shelter or animal shelter. Studies have shown that people who volunteer to help others who are less fortunate than themselves experience lower levels of stress, depression and anxiety. Volunteering is also a great way to meet new people, and it will give you a reason to get up in the morning and get out of the house if you are no longer able to work. Working as a volunteer is also a great way to learn new skills, which can be especially important if you will be unable to go back to your old job due to your injury.
