Healing the Mind: The Athlete's Guide to Injury Recovery

Written by Rory McGarvey 

Photo by Yogendra Singh on Unsplash 



For many athletes, the ability to compete in their chosen sport represents a significant aspect of their identity and daily lives. For me, as a distance track athlete, going for a run has become something much more than just training, and is often something I do to de-stress and relax. When you dedicate so much of your time to perfecting your craft, building a deep connection with it is inevitable. As such, athletes often build a strong emotional connection with their respective sport. Due to this deep connection, when an athlete's season is cut short by an unexpected injury or mishap, the resulting mental and emotional turmoil they face can be devastating. I have seen many peers and teammates face an early end to the season due to injury, and it can be a challenging process to witness. While the focus is usually on physical recovery and healing, attending to an athlete's mental and emotional well-being is equally crucial and often overlooked. 

 

The Initial Shock 

One of the most harrowing moments in an athlete's journey of injury occurs right at the start, immediately after the injury. Athletes can sustain injuries in various ways, whether in the heat of competition or through an unfortunate sudden misstep while walking home. Regardless of the event leading to the injury, the mental toll that follows can be just as severe. 

Studies show that the period immediately following an injury can be particularly challenging for athletes mentally, and there are several reasons for this. First, the sudden shift from being healthy to being sidelined for the season can be a severe shock to the athlete, and the anxiety and uncertainty that follow may take time to manage. Similarly, the period right after an injury is filled with unknowns for the athlete, as they might not yet know their injury's full extent or severity, resulting in them overthinking and imagining the worst-case scenario. These factors combined can make it especially difficult for athletes to remain positive and resilient post-injury. 

 

The Long Road to Recovery 

However, while the worst might come first, the road to recovery is not an easy or short one. As discussed in this article, following injury, athletes may find themselves going through denial, having elevated levels of anger, and being at a higher risk of depression. These factors can lead to a severe reduction in an athlete's mental well-being and, if not adequately addressed, can have long-term detrimental effects on their mental health, even after they recover from the injury. 

One of the significant factors in the mental health decline stems from the loss of self athletes undergo after having to step away from their sport. As previously touched on, due to the large amount of time and dedication athletes put into their sport, it can become intertwined with their idea of self-worth. This can be problematic as when something like a season-ending injury happens, the athlete can feel lost or as though they've failed, even when there was likely nothing they could've done to prevent the incident. It is because of these potentially significant and long-term consequences that it is so crucial for athletes to take their mental recovery just as seriously as their physical recovery, which, unfortunately, is an aspect of rehabilitation that is often severely overlooked in the athletic community. 

 

Strategies for Mental Recovery 

Thankfully, the psychology of sport injury is a well-studied topic, and plenty of research exists on how athletes can best protect and heal themselves. Examples of coping and recovery methods include opening up to and relying on your social support groups, whether this is your family, friends, teammates, or classmates. These groups can provide much-needed help, and it's important not to close yourself off from them. 

Therapy and counselling are also critical examples of strategies for mental wellness, but they often face unwarranted stigma, underscoring the need for broader acceptance in today’s society. Seeking help and guidance when you're in need is not only completely acceptable, but also a courageous first step towards healing. Saint Mary’s University even actually offers free counselling for students. Booking a free appointment with them is an example of the kind of action that can help athletes down the right path to recovery following an injury. 

To showcase more examples of athletes overcoming injury, I've embedded a video about Adam Coon, a competitive wrestler for the University of Michigan. Adam went through a difficult injury at the height of his athletic career and struggled greatly with the recovery process. In the short video, Adam highlights some of the key things he used to help cope and eventually recover fully from his injury, including focusing on himself rather than others, taking it slow, and accepting and addressing his injury. I encourage any athlete in a similar situation to give it a watch; it is very motivating. 

 Conclusion 

Getting injured can be one of the most devastating things that can happen to an athlete. Years of progress and work can feel like being flushed down the drain. However, it's essential to recognize that while injuries can momentarily derail an athlete's journey, they also offer growth opportunities. This journey emphasizes the importance of mental resilience, the strength found in vulnerability, and the power of community support. As athletes navigate the challenging path of recovery, they can uncover more profound aspects of their identity and learn critical lessons that transcend sports. In the end, the experience of overcoming injury can forge an athlete's character, making them stronger both on and off the field. 

Rita Jabbour