Self-care is always important. But it’s all the more essential when dealing with severe health issues. While you might be inclined to put the needs of others ahead of yourself, failing to take proper care of your health needs will render you incapable of helping anyone, let alone yourself.

The National Institutes of Health reports that 140,000+ Americans die annually from injuries, and 70 million experience non-fatal injuries.

Dealing with injuries effectively isn’t about sucking it up, putting on a brave face, and moving forward as though nothing’s wrong. You must see a doctor, attend appointments with other healthcare specialists, and put all your effort into getting better and moving on with life.

In addition to listening to your doctor and following the program, you should consider these six tips for good self-care.

1. Rest and Prioritize Sleep

You must get enough sleep. For adults, you should aim for seven to nine hours nightly. If you feel drowsy during daylight hours, that may be a sign you’re not getting enough shut-eye.

Healing after a personal injury will require doing many things — and one of them is getting enough restorative rest. While taking naps throughout the day could make it hard to get a good night’s rest, power naps could help if you didn’t sleep well the night before.

2. Practice Gentle Movement

Exercises involving gentle movements can play a big role in your recovery. Of course, it’s best to talk to your doctor or physiotherapist before starting any exercise routine. However, gentle movement exercises or stretches can lessen stiffness, maintain mobility, and facilitate circulation.

Just because you might be unable to exercise vigorously doesn’t mean you can’t exercise at all.

3. Stay Hydrated

Are you drinking enough water? If you’re like many people, you aren’t drinking nearly enough. 

According to Mayo Clinic, men need around 15.5 cups of water daily while women need about 11.5 cups daily. The same source, which notes that water makes up 50% to 70% of the human body, adds that water is important for safeguarding sensitive tissues, eliminating waste through urination and other means, and lubricating joints.

Drinking enough water will also facilitate your body’s natural healing processes and afford other benefits.

4. Nourish Your Body with Balanced Meals

According to Harvard University, a healthy meal consists of half a plate of fruits and veggies, one-fourth of a plate of healthy protein, and one-fourth of a plate of whole grains. In addition to that, you should incorporate healthy oils and fresh water.

Don’t overlook the importance of eating healthy and balanced meals for better health. Consuming sufficient quantities of the right food will help your body repair tissue and restore energy.

5. Manage Pain Properly

It’s also important to manage pain effectively and responsively. Your doctor will recommend various ways to deal with the pain you might feel during the healing process. Treatments could include prescribed medications, over-the-counter drugs, heat and cold therapy, and other things.

Physiotherapy may also be part of your pain management. It’s best to work along with your health care provider. If the treatments are not working, talk to your healthcare provider to explore how to proceed.

6. Avoid Overexertion

It’s also important to steer clear of overexertion. If you’re the type who doesn’t want to ask for help, that’ll have to stop. Instead of doing everything at once, break up bigger tasks into multiple smaller ones, so you don’t overdo things. Another option is to ask for help — as hard as that might be if you’re not used to reaching out.

When dealing with a personal injury, you’ll need all the help you can get. That’s one reason you should hire a personal injury lawyer to file a claim and get the help you need and deserve. It’s hard enough to deal with the aftermath of an accident. You don’t need to add to the stress by struggling to find and pay for treatment.