When you’re new to using a wheelchair, you have a lot of things to get your head around, and it will undoubtedly take a little while to acclimatise to your new situation.
One of the many things you will need to consider along with the pros and cons of electric wheelchairs and what adaptations will be necessary to help you live your best life is what you can do to live the healthiest lifestyle possible, and below you will find some vital tips to help you with that.
Keep doing cardio
Cardiovascular exercise is so important for the health of your heart and lungs. Now that you are in a wheelchair, you may not be able to do the same kinds of cardio exercise as you used to, but you should not let it fall by the wayside completely There are lots of things you can do from wheelchair basketball to swimming, which will help you to maintain good cardiovascular health, the fun part is finding out which activity works best for you!
Get plenty of sleep
Many wheelchair users find it difficult to get into a comfortable position in bed, but instead of just putting up with the discomfort and letting your sleep suffer as a result, it is a good idea to use pillows and cushions to support the parts of your body that are making bedtime difficult for you.
If you struggle to get out of the wheelchair and into bed at night, it is often the case that adjusting the wheelchair in line with the height of the bed can help. Although if you do need more assistance, do not be afraid to ask for help.
Focus on your posture
Since you will be spending so much more time sitting, it is important that you really focus on your posture as a wheelchair user. If you do not sit correctly, you could end up in pain or suffering from illnesses like scoliosis or pressure sores.
The best way to improve your posture and avoid any painful consequences of not doing so is to ensure that your knees, feet, hips and shoulders are all in alignment and that your back is not slouched. If you need a support to help you achieve this, then it is a really good idea to buy and use one.
Don’t neglect your mental health
As a new wheelchair user, it can be tempting to focus solely on the physical aspects of your health right now, but to do so would possibly not be ideal. You see, although your circumstances may be physical in nature, you will need to adjust to them mentally too. It’s easy to get down when you can no longer get around like you used to, but if you make time to see friends, practice hobbies and keep busy, things will be easier.
If you do struggle, seeing a therapist or counsellor may help.
As you can see, it is possible to lead a healthy and happy life as a wheelchair user, but before you make any changes, be sure to check with your doctor first.
This is a collaborative post
