After suffering a workplace accident, you may be out of commission for weeks, or even months. You could be in physical pain, out of work, and isolated from the people you know and love. This can take a massive mental toll on you.
So how do you mentally recover after such a workplace accident?
Start With the Basics
Before you can even begin mentally recovering, you need to take care of some of the fundamentals.
- Follow protocols. Make sure you fully comply with all protocols in the business dictating how to manage the aftermath of an accident. For example, you may be required to report your accident to a supervisor and sign off on an accident report. Make sure all of these details are correct before proceeding.
- Get medical attention. Depending on the severity of the accident, you may require emergency medical attention. Even if you don’t, it’s important to visit a medical service provider as early as possible so you can be thoroughly screened.
- Follow all medical advice. In line with this, follow all the medical advice you receive. That means taking any medications you’re prescribed, attending all follow-up appointments, and conforming to recommended behavioral patterns from your doctors.
- Contact a lawyer. A good workers’ compensation attorney can help you better understand your situation and potentially negotiate for a higher settlement. Don’t accept any workers’ comp settlement until you talk to an attorney first. Since most attorneys offer an initial consultation for free, there’s really no downside in making this phone call.
Manage Your Pain
Your mental health depends on your ability to control and manage your pain. There may be upper limits to what you can accomplish, but you owe it to yourself to do whatever you can.
- Medications. Depending on the extent of your injuries, you may be prescribed pain medication. If not, over-the-counter medicines like acetaminophen and ibuprofen can be valuable in helping to manage your pain levels.
- Light exercise. Assuming your medical professionals authorize such activity, try to get some light exercise in. Even totally non-strenuous activity can help promote blood flow and stimulate the release of dopamine so you feel a bit better.
- Meditation. Meditation has many benefits, including an ability to help you manage pain. Even if you’re a meditation skeptic, or if you’ve tried it before and failed, it’s a good idea to get into this practice and gain control over how you perceive and deal with pain.
- Deep breathing. Similarly, many people find deep breathing exercises to be effective in helping them deal with intense pain. Because there are many different types of breathing exercises available, you can experiment until you find something that works.
Stay Busy
Healthy distractions are great for taking your mind off your situation, and they help you feel more connected and alive. Try to stay busy with whatever you can do, whether that’s going for long walks, working on side projects, or simply indulging in a hobby like playing video games. As long as you’re enjoying yourself and you’re not neglecting other areas of your health, do whatever you want.
Remain Social
Social interactions and support are indispensable for facilitating a smoother, happier recovery. If you have family members and friends that you trust, lean on them during these tumultuous times. If you don’t, consider going out more and making some new friends. Even a social interaction as simple as making small talk with a cashier can be valuable for your mental health.
In line with this, don’t be afraid to open up and be vulnerable. The people you love and trust will want to hear what you’re thinking and feeling, and they’ll likely be willing to lend you whatever type of support you need. There’s no shame in asking for help and there’s no shame in expressing negative emotions.
Get Help
Of course, not everyone has the social or familial infrastructure necessary to help them through such troubled times. If you find yourself in a bad mental state, or if you just need a bit of extra support, consider getting professional help. Talking to a therapist could be exactly what you need to turn things around.
Take Things One Day at a Time
Finally, take things one day at a time. Your physical recovery, your legal battle, and your financial situation will all take time to resolve. Worrying about the future or collapsing under the weight of it all won’t help you. Instead, focus on what you can control and try to get through each day as best you can.
Nobody is saying that mentally recovering after a workplace accident is easy. In fact, depending on the severity of your injuries, it may be one of the hardest things you’ve ever done. But with the right strategies and a positive mindset, you will eventually get to a better mental state.
