3 Fitness Tips for Newly Disabled Veterans
A diagnosis of disability is always difficult to receive, but the good news is that there are techniques for newly disabled veterans to stay in shape and live lives that are as normal as possible. Maintaining a good fitness routine is one of the best ways for those living with a disabling condition to keep in good physical and mental health. Choosing the right types of exercises and fitness regimens could go a long way toward helping you live a more fulfilling and productive life while you keep doing the things you enjoy.
Adjust Your Routine
Changing your daily routine to help you better adapt to your disability will help you in the long run regardless of how much physical activity is usually involved. Even though lifestyle changes initially seem disruptive, you will likely see positive benefits if you keep to these efforts and don’t give up. Draw on the perseverance you learned in your military training and apply it here. Adding low impact activities to your routine will help you stay fit without having to worry about overdoing things. While there are some safety risks, swimming at the pool is a great low-impact way to stay fit.
Don’t Ignore Recovery
Physical rehabilitation and therapy make a difference for people living with disabilities, especially veterans. These therapeutic programs will have a focus on specific affected areas. If you select a compatible exercise regimen, it will help you get the most out of your therapy sessions and adapt more easily to the changes you must make. In addition to inpatient or outpatient physical therapy, therapists will usually recommend specific exercises to perform at home. These recommended options will help make it easier for you to function as independently as possible.
Invest in Helpful Equipment
Even though many swear by gym memberships and using expensive exercise equipment, neither are necessary to stay fit. You can have a perfectly productive workout routine using simple exercise aids available through popular retailers and online. Examples of fitness tools that can benefit veterans include dumbbells, pull-up bars, and kettlebells. Routines using any of these are usually easy to perform in shorter segments of 10 to 15 minutes each, making it easier for you to avoid needless strain.
Life as a disabled veteran can be a lot easier for those who have good fitness plans that they are consistent about practicing. Even though staying fit involves changes to how you do things, you’re likely to enjoy the results in the long run. If you need help transitioning to civilian life and getting into your new routine, consider signing up for our wellness program!