A workplace injury or illness can reshape life as you know it. While you’ll likely be unable to work for a while and earn the wages that you need to get by, there can also be emotional and psychological struggles that accompany your financial challenges. All of this can quickly become overwhelming, leaving you riddled with uncertainty and fearful of the future. Fortunately, as we’ve discussed on this blog, there are steps you can take to build a compelling workers’ compensation claim. You’re certainly encouraged to learn as much about the workers’ compensation process as possible, as well as what you can do to build a successful claim, but we realize that you’ll likely need additional support as you navigate your recovery.
That’s why in this post we want to look at what you can do to make your recovery a little easier. Hopefully then you’ll be more confident navigating the road ahead while protecting your physical, mental and emotional well-being. So, let’s jump in and look at some tips to help you cope with your workplace injury or illness.
How can you cope with your workplace injury or illness?
There are several steps that you can take to protect yourself as you advance through your recovery. Here are some tips that we hope you’ll find beneficial as you try to cope with the realities of your situation:
- Educate yourself about your condition: It’s easy to slip into hopelessness and despair when your condition is at its worst. This can leave you feeling like you’ll never get better, so why try. You can tamp down these feelings, though, by educating yourself about your condition, its prognosis and what you can do to lessen symptoms and heal. This can help you set realistic expectations for yourself and give you a better idea of what the recovery process will look like moving forward.
- Find a support group: Recovering from a workplace injury or illness can feel isolating. But this isn’t a journey you have to make on your own. In fact, there are a lot of people out there who have been through what you’re facing and can provide guidance and support. You just have to put forth a little effort to find a support group. By doing so, you’ll give yourself an outlet for your emotions and find the encouragement needed to get through this tough time.
- Work closely with your doctor: The effectiveness of your recovery is going to depend, in large part, on your willingness and ability to work with your doctor. You should be open and honest with them about your symptoms, and you should be sure to follow all of their recommendations. If something isn’t working, say so. And if you have questions about a course of treatment or the progress of your recovery, then be sure to speak up so that you can take control of your care.
Know that you will get through this tough time in your life
A workplace injury or illness can feel defeating. But, even in the darkest days of your recovery, know that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. You can and will come through the challenges you’re facing. Even if you won’t fully recover from your accident injuries or illness, you can find a way to successfully manage them so that they don’t control your life. We understand that’s all easier said than done, but positioning yourself for the life that you want starts now with your first step. What will it be?
