8 Ways To Deal With The Effects of A Skate Injury
We all go through it. Cuts, bruises, a rolled ankle, sometimes worse. Ligaments and bones take longer to heal. And then you’re dealing with the fact they’ll be weaker for a while. But what’s worse than the actual injury itself?
Not being able to skate. 
Not only do you get major FOMO from skate trips, late night carpark meet-ups and running from security but you miss that sense of community. Sure, you can turn up to the skate park and socialize but it’s not the same is it? Overlooking those intense games of S.K.A.T.E knowing full well you’d have landed every trick so far if your body would allow it.
It SUCKS being injured. Whether you’re out of the game for days, weeks or months, there’s nothing worse than knowing all your friends are out enjoying themselves while you’re stuck inside trying *desperately* to heal up so you can join the fun.
Sometimes we encounter these injuries and they fill us up with fear and when we do finally get back on the board, we struggle to land tricks that we once found easy.
This is one of the hardest things to go through; the mental block. Knowing you CAN do something but your mind just simply won’t allow it any more, for fear of getting hurt again.
At Dose, a mag run by skaters for skaters, we know how difficult it can be to deal with the mental effects of an injury which is why we’ve put together a little list of things you can do to make yourself feel better when you can’t skate.
Self Care
Whether it's just feeling fed up and bored or dealing with the trauma of a break or collision, it’s important to treat yourself with compassion. Anything from a herbal tea, a hot bath or watching a movie, we know there’s a stigma that skaters are hard as nails (which we are) but it’s still important to be gentle with ourselves when we really need it.
Be Creative
For most of us, skateboarding is about expression and is just as much of a creative outlet as it is a sport. So when it’s inaccessible it can affect us mentally because we’re unable to express ourselves in our usual way. When taking some time off the deck, explore other avenues that can get the creativity flowing. Anything from drawing, picking up a musical instrument to photography, it’s always a good idea to have other hobbies lined up. MAYBE now is the time to start finger boarding?! We know you’ve secretly always wanted to try it…
Stay Connected
It can be so easy to get stuck in a downward spiral with an injury, especially if it’s taking months to heal but that doesn’t mean you should go through it alone. Make sure you don’t shut yourself in and you’re still regularly seeing friends. And if you can’t get out very much, make them come to you! You can arrange regular movie nights or find some fun board games to play. And don’t forget to call your family and get on FaceTime with those friends you keep meaning to get in touch with.
Eat Properly
This probably comes under self-care too but we thought it was important enough to highlight separately. Making sure you’re getting the right nutrients will not only enhance your mood and help you to regulate happy hormones, but it will also provide you with the necessary vitamins your body needs to heal itself. And the more good stuff you feed it, the quicker you’ll be rolling around again. Protein helps you to build muscle while calcium is good for strengthening bones so make sure to pick up some supplements from your local health store.
Do All The Things You’ve Been Putting Off
Cleaning the fridge. Filing your taxes. Sorting out your clothes. Listing that pair of shoes you never wear on Depop. NOW’S THE TIME!
If you’ve been served a time out from skating, use it wisely. There’s nothing worse than getting back on the board and thinking about all the things you could have done while you had the chance. Take everything as a blessing and an opportunity.
Get Into Mindfulness
I know. It seems super airy-fairy but hear us out. Mindfulness is a great practice to get into when you find yourself in a situation beyond your control. It can help you to navigate life and let go of thoughts that not only don’t serve you but also make you feel worse. It can be difficult to see the positives when all you can think of is how unfair it is that you’re stuck at home with a giant booboo. But trust us, nothing lasts forever so just enjoy the moments you have and know that you will be back on the board in no time.
Read A Book
A great read to help you to appreciate the small things in life is Eckhart Tolle’s The Power of Now. This book is all about letting go of the past and just being fully in the present moment whilst accepting life the way it is.
Or why not pick up something skate-related, an autobiography of your favorite skater maybe? Or a book on finger boarding that you’re still desperate to try.
For a more dystopian vibe try a classic like George Orwell’s 1984 or Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World. Both super gripping in a time where technology reigns.
Do Nothing At All
Sometimes, all else fails and no matter how we try, we just cannot shake off that funk. And that’s ok too! As long as you know you’re not wallowing, it’s fine to have a day where you just need to veg out. If that feeling comes make sure you honor it - get into your comfies, grab some snacks and set up Netflix for a day of chilling. The more at peace you are with having a lazy day, the sooner you’ll come out of it and want to be more active again.
Whatever you decide to do with your time while you’re taking a break, we hope that these 8 steps give you a motivation boost to do good for your mental and physical health. A lot of people make the mistake of skating when they get to the point where they’re nearly healed but not quite. This can often lead to a recurring injury and set you back even more. Don’t be stupid with your injuries, take them seriously and give yourself all the time you need to heal. Listen to your doctors, they have PHDs in this shit - they know best!
