Suffering an injury or illness can be disheartening and frustrating. This is especially the case if you’re forced to scale back on training or take a seat on the sidelines while letting your body heal.

Although you may not have complete control over the time it takes for your body to heal, you do have control over how you choose to react to the situation.

Below are a number of ways to help keep your mind sharp and your progress moving forward:

  • Focus on nutrition - Dial in your diet and focus on quality, whole-unprocessed food sources to nourish your body with essential vitamins and minerals to help speed up the healing process and keep you feeling energized and on track!
  • Watch more videos - Are you a visual learner? Although you might not be able to complete the movement yourself, watching others lift can be a great way to learn and pick up handy tips for when you’re back to it! Catalyst, HookGrip, Gymnastics WOD are just a number of many websites with quality footage available.
  • Master your weaknesses - There’s always something you can do to stay moving. Become the master of your goals and work any weakness you have that you can perform pain free!
  • Read inspirational books - Who motivates, inspires and gets you amped up? Audio books, podcasts and all literature written by influential people in your life can help to keep those spirits high!
  • Mobility and stretching - The Active Life, ROMWOD and MobilityWOD are all great resources. While dedicating time to rehab your injury, spend a few extra minutes mobilizing some of your other trouble spots to ensure you remain injury free!
  • Volunteer to coach, judge or become more involved in your community - Making an effort to stay part of the community is essential. Injuries can leave us feeling somewhat isolated at times, so it’s important we continue to show up in some kind of capacity.
  • Practice visualizations - Studies have suggested that visualization is a highly effective method for performance. See yourself healthy, happy and injury-free.
  • Work technique to the degree you are capable of - Drills, broom sticks and PVC pipes can be great for this, especially if weight load is an issue. Every little bit counts.
  • Try new sports and disciplines - Check out Class Pass, Groupon, yoga, or maybe even aqua aerobics. Try something new and get outside your comfort zone, while staying in a safe and healthy zone.
  • Focus on other areas of your life - Family, friends, your studies, other hobbies, whatever it may be, dedicate more time to improving your relationships with your loved ones and yourself.

Maintaining a positive mindset is essential. Reach out to friends and let them know how you’re feeling. Speak with your coach and always focus on what you can do (rather than what you can’t)! Time can feel as though it’s standing still, but by engaging in some of the above activities you prepare yourself to come back stronger mentally and physically!

While there’s always the physical aspect of many sports, there are so many other factors that contribute to success and longevity in any discipline! What are some other ways you’ve kept your mind sharp and head in the game while nursing an injury?