Video: Recovery tips for injured athletes By Mayo Clinic Staff Share Facebook Twitter Print details How do you stay healthy and energized when an injury keeps you from exercising? For many athletes, injury can be a slippery slope to unhealthy habits as you trade early-morning workouts for late-night TV. But it doesn't have to be. See how you can speed healing and discover new ways to stay strong and ward off future injuries, all while managing the injured athlete blues. Show transcript Recovery tips for injured athletes Injury is one of the top reasons adult athletes quit competing. It doesn't have to be. Be patient. Rest is often the first step in allowing your body to heal. Find an outlet for your energy. Take a class. Challenge yourself with a new language. Volunteer at a local road race. Try a new sport (with your doctor's okay). Injury can be a chance to experiment with different workouts and strengthen new muscle groups. Consider cross-training with low-impact activity if reduced load is important to prevent re-injury. Picture yourself healing. Several studies found that guided imagery and relaxation helped injured athletes cope. Refocus on healthy eating. Eat too much and you risk gaining weight. Eat too little and you could lose muscle. Build your strength. When your body is ready, strength exercises can help you guard against future injuries. Resist late-night TV temptation. Your body does its best healing during deep sleep. Listen to your doctor or physical therapist. Poor communication is a major reason for re-injury. Get help if you need it. Depression can be common among sidelined athletes who are used to a runner's high. Guidance from the doctors, physical therapists, trainers and performance coaches from Mayo Clinic Sports Medicine. Get more healthy-action tips delivered daily when you download the Mayo Clinic app. Show references Wright VJ. Masterful care of the aging triathlete. Sports Medicine and Arthroscopy Review. 2012;20:231. What are sports injuries? NIH: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. www.niams.nih.gov/health_info/sports_injuries/sports_injuries_ff.asp. Accessed Oct. 21, 2016. Schwab Reese LM. Effectiveness of psychological intervention following sport injury. Journal of Sport and Health Science 1. 2012;1:71. Marshall GJG. The importance of sleep for athletic performance. Strength and Conditioning Journal 2016;38:61. VID-20305509