Hey everyone! Sorry I missed last week, but as you can tell from the title, I got surgery. I have been struggling with achilles problems all through college and it got to the point where to keep running, they had to fix a tear that had formed in my right one. I got the surgery last Friday and the recovery time is about 3-4 weeks which isn’t bad at all!
I know that a lot of major athletes have to go through huge procedures to do what they love, so I’m going to share my top 7 tips on how I’m recovering as quickly as I can!
Tip Number 1: Rest
Rest is a no brainer, but many people feel like they still have to do everything on their own after surgery. Let your friends and family help you so that your body gets enough rest to start healing and recovering. I struggle with this one, not because I don’t like to lie down and relax lol but because I don’t like to ask for help. Being immobile except for on my crutches is really challenging. And day to day things like even going up and down the stairs in my house takes a huge amount of energy. When my body becomes exhausted from doing things that don’t normally take everything out of me, it takes away from my body healing itself. The more tired you are, the harder it is for you to heal.
Tip Number 2: Eat Soup
When I first got home after my surgery, I was super nauseous for the rest of the day. Chicken noodle soup was one of the only things I could really eat that made my stomach settle. It’s an easy meal to digest (which can help a ton if you’re on strong medications) and, in my personal opinion, it’s a very warming and comforting meal too. Easy to make and easy to eat. The hardest part will be carrying it from the microwave.
Tip Number 3: Watch Funny Movies
It’s always best to keep yourself in good spirits when you’re healing. It honestly speeds up the process. Watching funny movies is the easiest way to make sure you’re in a good mood! Not only is it enjoyable on its own, but subconsciously it makes you happier on the inside.
Tip Number 4: Stay Positive
This goes along with the last tip. Staying positive is some of the best medicine for recovery.
Tip Number 5: Do Your Rehab Consistently
I used to struggle with this one A LOT. And I continued to have injuries. After you hurt a part of your body it needs to be rehabbed. Not just once. Over a good period of time and then some more. Trust me, your body will thank you and you will feel so much better in the long run.
Tip Number 6: Focus on Your End Goal
For me, my end goal is to have an amazing senior season. For others it could be different, but at least know what it is for you and focus on that when times get harder. Not everyday will feel great or bearable. This first week for me has been a challenge not being able to walk freely how I want. But whenever I start to get down, I remember that there is a reason I’m in this position right now and it’s going to make me stronger in the end.
I hope these tips helped anyone going through a hard recovery to stay positive and to heal as quickly as you can!
