Waking up every day has become harder since the accident. You struggle to get excited about things you used to love. What once made you laugh, you are now too distracted to enjoy.
Keeping your head up after an accident can be one of the hardest parts of recovery. Many people use the methods below to pick themselves up when they feel low.
Eat healthy. Junk food is proven to increase your risk of depression through weight gain and nutritional deficiencies. Eating right will help your body heal and recover, while keeping your mind fed with the vitamins it needs to work.
Surround yourself with loved ones. When we really need our friends and family, we rarely ask. Why do we turn down help from our support network when we need it most? Take them up on their offer to help cook dinner, lend a hand around the house or take the kids to school. It’s going to take more than just your own will to get better and get back to life. Don’t miss out on an opportunity to speed that process up, and make it easier on yourself.
Volunteer. Nothing puts your life in perspective more than volunteer work. If you’ve ever doubted whether you should be grateful for being alive, two hours at a food pantry, soup kitchen or children’s hospital will quickly remind you of how lucky you are to be alive after your accident.
Go outside. Sometimes just leaving your room, or your house can spur feelings of hope. When you hide away at home, lights off and closed out from the world you have nothing to do but think about your situation. Your backyard, front porch, sidewalk anywhere outside is a good place to start. Take deep breaths and focus on the sky above, try to calm yourself and think about the fact you are alive and on the road to recovery.
Consult a therapist or psychiatrist. Especially if you are having negative thoughts about yourself. Post-traumatic stress disorder is very common among accident victims. Asking for help is something you should understand is normal, and recommended. If you don’t know a therapist, or feel uncomfortable asking friends for advice, your Chicago Personal Injury lawyer should be able to recommend one, and also keep your conversation private.
Embrace spirituality. It’s no coincidence that for centuries we have found peace, hope and healing through prayer and spiritual rituals. The act of going to church or temple even once a week can do wonders for your spirit. Even if you have never been a religious person, you may find unique value in this element of life during this difficult time.
Talk to your attorney or someone at their office on a regular basis. Ask your personal injury attorney before hiring them if they are willing to provide consistent updates. Chicago Personal Injury cases can go on for quite some time. Not knowing what is happening for months on end can add undue panic and stress to your life.
Working with a compassionate and experienced Chicago Personal Injury attorney can help you with many of the resources above. Our entire team knows the struggle you face on a daily basis. If you, or someone you love has been injured in an accident and would like to speak to an attorney we are here to help at any time. Please call 1-800-Ask-A-Lawyer or 1(800)275-2529.