Like me, you’re probably sick of hearing the word ‘COVID’. There’s so much information available out there, not to mention a bunch of people “doing their own research”, but most of us just want to get on with our lives. Now, I'm by no means an expert, but I can share my own experience with Covid-19.
I tested positive mid February 2022, with what was probably the Omicron variant. I am double vaccinated and was due for my booster, but tested positive before I had a chance to get it. It started as a sore throat, and developed into a bad cold for a few days after that. I didn’t feel great and wasn’t able to do much, but it was definitely manageable. There seems to be no rhyme or reason as to who catches it in a household - I know a case of 10yo twins who share everything, where only one was positive, and everyone has a slightly different experience.
Something we don’t know enough about yet, is long Covid, that is your immune system not recovering like it normally would after a viral infection. The symptoms range from extraordinary fatigue, brain fog and shortness of breath, to loss of taste or smell. If you haven’t recovered 4 - 12 weeks after testing positive, you may have long Covid.
What I learnt, is that it's important to truly rest when you have this virus. For some people that’s easier than others, but this isn’t the type of illness you can just push through and it will be ok. Researchers think rushing back into exercise can trigger long Covid. I found myself getting fatigued just sitting in front of the computer trying to answer emails.
Here’s what worked for me, in terms of getting back into exercise:
Mild symptoms: Gentle walking, gentle seated stretching and yoga (I got fatigued doing standing poses)
Week 1: Walking at moderate speed with small hills, resistance band exercises, pilates
Week 2: Brisk walking including hills (I walked up a volcano), strength training with light weights, vinyasa yoga
Week 3: Back to HIIT classes but at a slower speed on the treadmill and using lighter weights, ashtanga yoga
A month later, I feel as good as gold, with only a lingering froggy throat, and am enjoying the natural immunity my body will provide for the next few months. I will continue to take Liposomal Vitamin C every morning, prioritize sleep, pack my diet with fresh fruit and veggies and get sunlight exposure (Vitamin D) daily to support my body.