Stronger than setbacks
Building resilience when faced with injury
“OK, this isn’t fun, it’s work” I admitted to myself. “When I get to the lift, I’m going back down.” For several days, it had rained in Zermatt, even up the mountain. The early morning groomed runs were okay up high, but halfway down, they became a hard, crusty mess.
I saw the lift below as I took my last turn. My ski caught an edge and down I went, feeling a “pop” as I landed hard on the unforgiving snow. “Oh shit,” I said to myself, moving, testing, hoping to find nothing, yet somehow certain I would. My left wrist, I couldn’t put weight on it.
I lay there in the snow, stunned. I hadn’t personally been hospitalized since early childhood. I’d been there for others to support them and to welcome my two daughters into the world, but that was it. Now my time was up, it was my turn.
As a few friends arrived, the ski patrol bound my arm with temporary tape, then fastened me to a sled. I smiled/grimaced for a photo. A trip down the mountain with my daughter, an ambulance waiting, and off to the local doctor to confirm I had broken my wrist in 2 places. It was New Year’s Eve, 2021.
My journey to recovery began as I returned home with a very swollen arm and COVID-19, which I caught while in the hospital! My daughters did not want to catch it, so not wanting to be quarantined alone in my bedroom at home, I gave it to my wife to keep me company (not intentionally of course 😉).
It took some months of recovery and therapy to regain the full function of my wrist. Then surgery to remove the metal plate and screws in July. Now my only memory is a faint scar.
What did I learn from this unforeseen accident and injury? I only had a broken wrist which is fairly easy to recover from. Other more severe injuries may take more time or have lasting effects. Yet I hope some of what I learned may help you too.
Mindset
Try to accept what happened, and move forward.
It is not helpful to review “why me” or “what if” scenarios, what happened, happened. Focus your energy on recovery.
Yet you may have some emotional trauma from your accident. Be gentle with yourself, and share your feelings with loved ones or professionals if needed.
Practice mindfulness or breathing exercises to manage stress and promote emotional balance.
Stay optimistic - watch entertaining movies, listen to music, read books, or do crafts that you enjoy. Spend time with friends, family and pets.
Practice visualization or affirmations. See your body renewing itself, mending, healing.
Celebrate the small wins. As you notice swelling diminish, skin healing, and your ability to move return, notice and celebrate this progression as it happens.
Gratitude - be grateful that you are still alive and can do some things, and for the friends, family, and community who come to support you. Also, be grateful for your body and its amazing ability to renew itself.
Support
Your body is in trauma and then repair mode, working extra hard to heal and renew. How can you help it best?
Hydration: Drink lots of water to aid in flushing out excess blood and fluids.
Diet: Consider beneficial foods and supplements that provide extra resources to help with tissue and cellular repair.
Get plenty of sleep.
Get some fresh air, sunlight, and time in nature.
Follow the recovery plan and exercises suggested by your doctor and physical therapist.
Movement
Some activities and movements are better than none. Even if confined to bed, what parts of your body could you move?
As your recovery progresses, get some movement every day. Your body is made for movement and the increased circulation, fresh air, and motion will help your body and mind.
Post-healing
If your injury included stitches or other skin trauma, consider how you might minimize scarring
Vitamin E: I applied almond oil to my scar twice a day to optimize skin repair.
Red-light: I experimented with this non-invasive practice.
I can’t prove these 2 practices made a difference, but my scar is almost invisible.
Have you been back skiing since?
Have I been skiing since? No, but not because of fear. As I mentioned in the beginning, “this isn't fun, it's work.” I decided skiing in poor conditions was not worth it. Due to my self-imposed edict, I haven't skied because the snow conditions over the last winters have been pretty poor. Planning a ski week and getting lucky with the snow on that week is a big gamble. I have snowshoed and am eager to get back out if and when conditions are consistently good again (will they ever return??). Nevertheless, I continue to be active with hiking, road cycling, weight training and yoga.
Here's wishing you well no matter what life throws at you!
Note this article is based upon my personal experience and practices; for any injury you experience you should consult your doctor and follow their advice.
Seize the years,
Brian Kling | Community and Customer Marketing, Yeu
