It is hard for us to stay quiet and to rest. We are a generation that is always on the go. We may dream about taking a few days off and relaxing, laying in bed doing nothing. But how many of us would actually do this if given the chance?
Yet, if you had surgery, you have no choice. You have to take it easy. The length of your recovery depends on the type of surgery you had and your overall health. But for some people even staying quiet for a couple of days is a chore.
Here are some tips and some things you should do to help if you are recovering from any type of surgery.
1. Rest or immobilize the part of your body that undergo the surgery, as recommended by your doctor. This means following your doctors rules. If he/she says no climbing stairs, don’t climbed them. If you are supposed to stay off that leg, do so. Remember by not listening you may keep the area from healing correctly.
2. Sleep. Sleep gives your body the time it needs to repair itself. Plus, sleeping is a good way to pass some of that time and stay off the affected area.
3. Stay dehydrated. Try to drink eight glasses of liquids a day. At the same time, watch your intake of caffeine. Caffeine can actually work as a diuretic and causes the body to loose water.
4. Eat well. Don’t use your illness or injury as an excuse to eat junk food. You should try to eat a lot of protein. Protein contains amino acids which will help build tissue.
5. Think positive thoughts. You can even envision yourself being up and well, again.
6. Take this time to try to teach yourself how to relax. Your could teach yourself how to mediate. You could listen to relaxation tapes. You could read. This is a good time to find something that relaxes you.
7. As you start to heal and start to get back to your normal routine, learn to pace yourself better. Go slowly. Work a little less. Give yourself a small break. You won’t be one hundred percent that first day back on the job.
8. When you are able, begin an exercise routine. You can start out with a small routine. If you aren’t able to do any aerobic activity, think about doing some weight bearing exercises. Weight bearing exercises forces your body to work against gravity. Weight bearing exercising can make your muscles, bones and tissues stronger. Some examples of some easy forms of weight bearing exercising is walking, stair-climbing and weight lifting. But even tennis and hiking are also considered weight bearing exercises.
Exercising on a regular basis can help you improve your balance, which can keep you from falling and injuring yourself. Exercise also helps you to build strength and flexibility.
Another good choice of exercise is swimming. Swimming is an exercise that has less impact on your body and causes less strain on your body.
9. Another thing you should think about as you are healing is to watch out that you don’t fall. You don’t want to jar the area that had surgery and you don’t want to sustain a new injury. Watch where you walk. Watch that clutter doesn’t lay around on the floor. Make sure spills are mopped up promptly. Wear comfortable, low heeled shoes. Use a cordless phone so you won’t have to rush to answer the phone. If necessary, have grab bars placed near the toilet, tub and shower.
10. Finally, as you are healing, allow those who care about you help you. It will make them feel like they are doing something.
