Women's Life Link Be Well, Be Happy, Be YOU!
Wisdom tells us to be prepared for emergency situations like a serious injury, whether it be you or someone in your family. I know it’s not pleasant to think about. However, getting caught in the grip of an unforeseen event could potentially destroy your life if you’re not ready for it. There are ways to protect your life when serious injury strikes.
Protect Your Life When Serious Injury Strikes #1: Adapt
Beyond the physical pain, many injuries also come with collateral damage that impacts your life. Adapting your lifestyle after injury could be imperative for successful recovery. For serious injuries, you may even need to make your home more accessible. The more common concern, however, is continuing to work through an injury. But whether it’s as simple as a bone fracture or as extensive as partial paralysis, your boss is legally obligated to adapt the workplace and make work adjustments for employees facing physical changes. It’s important to focus on what you can do and not what you can’t. Adapting to your new circumstances will aid in emotional healing as well as physical.
Protect Your Life When Serious Injury Strikes #2: Guard Your Finances
The best time to get ready for a catastrophe is before it happens. Protecting yourself and family with the appropriate insurance and disability coverage is a must. This goes double if you are the main bread winner of the family. The cost of long term disability insurance is considerably less the further in advance that you get it. Be clear on what your coverage actually is, so you don’t get a surprise should something happen.
It’s also a good idea to have at least 3 months of salary saved for this kind of emergency. This will help you and your family to focus on healing and not financial issues. Keep this money liquid and handy at all times.
Protect Your Life When Serious Injury Strikes #3: Take a Proactive Approach to Recovery
Learning to work with your injured body will help you regain control of your life. Fighting your circumstances and getting angry will only prolong your recovery. Your healthcare provider should help you with injury specifics. The general tips for faster recovery can be found online here, however. Knowing the basics, myths, and concerns is wise and will set you up for a faster and more efficient recovery.
Protect Your Life When Serious Injury Strikes #4: Get Your Emotions Under Control
The impact of an injury might be mental and emotional as much as physical. Stress and depression linked to changes in lifestyle, lower mobility and a drop in self-esteem aren’t uncommon when dealing with sudden trauma. In fact, auto accidents have been shown to be one of the most common causes of modern post-traumatic stress disorder.
Your doctor will likely have dealt with patients who have suffered similar mental issues due to injury. It’s important to know you’re not alone. Additionally, you might benefit from some stress-busting habits to help you cope with all the changes before anything gets too bad.
In conclusion, it’s important to not only be prepared for this type of situation but to deal with it healthfully. Keep your finances, insurance, and living situation in order at all times if possible. In addition to this, stay as healthy (physically and emotionally) as you can. Should an injury befall you or a family member, you will be much more secure and ready to face new challenges.
