{"id":474,"date":"2023-01-10T10:35:37","date_gmt":"2023-01-10T11:35:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/rainbowcolornursery.com\/?p=474"},"modified":"2024-03-12T13:55:57","modified_gmt":"2024-03-12T13:55:57","slug":"depression-after-knee-surgery-how-to-cope-part-1-5","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/rainbowcolornursery.com\/index.php\/2023\/01\/10\/depression-after-knee-surgery-how-to-cope-part-1-5\/","title":{"rendered":"Depression After Knee Surgery & How to Cope (Part 1\/5)"},"content":{"rendered":"
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In the previous series all about knees, I shared resources for my recovery journey after a major knee surgery<\/strong><\/a>. In this new series, I will be sharing things you can do to help keep boredom at bay, because the recovery process for any major surgery can be a long, painful and tedious one. The pain and lack of mobility is frustrating, and limits your access to things you can do to pass the time. Minutes pass by like hours. \u2018Recovered\u2019 seems a lifetime away.<\/p>\n

I will begin with depression after knee surgery and how to cope, as I believe that mental health is of utmost importance. When you feel anxious and depressed, it is easy to spiral downwards into a vicious loop that affects your physical health. It can also impact your motivation to keep up with your physiotherapy and self-care. This post is also a great resource for anyone who’s bed bound, stuck at home for whatever reason, feeling restless, anxious or bored. (You can view the full series at the end of the post<\/a><\/strong>!)<\/p>\n

P.s. If you have any additional good suggestions on things to do while recovering from knee surgery, leave a comment and I\u2019ll add it in and credit you! \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n

Pin to Your Mental Health & Surgery Boards:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n\"Depression\n<\/div>\n
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\u201c#MentalHealth is of utmost importance. When you feel #anxious and #depressed, it is easy to spiral downwards into a vicious loop that affects your physical health.\u201d #MentalHealthMatters #KneeSurgery<\/em>
Click To Tweet<\/a><\/p>\n

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Disclaimer<\/strong>: Knee injuries and surgeries, or any surgery for that matter, varies widely from person to person. Your age, lifestyle, weight, circumstances, medications, comorbidities, allergies and other issues can impact your recovery timeline, as well as the tools and methods required. They should be adapted for YOU.<\/em><\/p>\n

This article, and the resources or suggestions provided within, are based on MY own personal experiences with a spontaneous bilateral patellar tendon rupture, as a person with many chronic illnesses. They are meant for educational purposes and not to be substituted for medical advice. Please consult your own medical provider before trying anything out.<\/strong><\/p>\n

This post also contains affiliate links. It will cost you nothing to click on them. I will get a small referral fee from purchases you make, which helps with the maintenance of this blog (approx. $100\/month). Thank you!<\/p>\n

Items with a star \u2b50 next to them are resources I’ve personally tried and would recommend!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Post Updated (12 February 2024): Split into separate sections for easier reading.<\/em><\/p>\n

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1. Keep Calm & Meditate<\/strong><\/h2>\n

I’m not quite into meditation, but it’s scientifically proven to have benefits for your mental well-being<\/a>. Whilst it may not take away your pain, it can still help with depression after knee surgery, and also to be less anxious and more self-aware.<\/p>\n

My friend, Melissa, is a yoga teacher who lives with Fibromyalgia. She is passionate about accessible yoga<\/strong><\/a>, which can be done even from bed. You can also listen to my interview with her on the Sick Lessons podcast<\/a> here.<\/p>\n

Sign Up for a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Course Online<\/h3>\n

If you can’t sleep, a body scan meditation can be relaxing. Here is a 10-minute body scan video on YouTube<\/a> by Jon Kabat-Zinn, who is an American professor emeritus of medicine, and creator of the “Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction” (MBSR) programme.<\/p>\n

According to Niazi, A. K., & Niazi, S. K. (2011)<\/a>:<\/p>\n

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“Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) therapy is a meditation therapy, though originally designed for stress management, it is being used for treating a variety of illnesses such as depression, anxiety, chronic pain, cancer, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, skin and immune disorders.”<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Whilst MBSR is not a cure, there is also evidence that it can be beneficial for your over all well-being. MBSR courses generally run for 8 weeks. Here are recommended institutions to register at, and sound clips for simple meditation exercises, compiled by the Yale School of Medicine<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Jon Kabat-Zinn has also written many books on mindfulness for various purposes. There are books for beginners, mindful eating, depression, why it\u2019s important, and more. You can take your time to browse all of his books here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Buy Books by Mindfulness & Meditation:<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

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