If you’re reading this, I’m sorry. COVID-19 sucks! 0/10, do not recommend.
If you’re in the early days of the disease and are feeling horrible, the upside is that you will only get better. You will also recover better if you’re patient with yourself, and don’t compare it with anyone else’s experience. This sneaky, nasty virus hits everyone differently.
Hundreds of tips for a good recovery have been circulated since the pandemic started two years ago (what?!), but there are a few things nobody warned me about when I rode the third wave last month.
Here are five realistic tips for a peaceful recovery:
1. Drink A Sh*t Ton Of Water
This was the first advice my doctor and parents gave me when I showed them my positive RT-PCR report. I brushed it off initially, because I was in a state of panic and confusion, but on day two, I decided I would take it seriously.
I don’t know if it was because I was stuck in a room for eight days, or had literally nothing to do; I religiously monitored my water intake and drank two litres of water a day, warm and room temperature.
I also drank kadha (a herbal concoction with all the good stuff) with warm water to help my throat.
Two words: GAME CHANGER.
This tip may sound overhyped to many, but this was very useful advice for someone who forgets to drink water until I have reminders set.
2. It’s Okay To Be Unavailable (Aka Ghost Everyone)
I am writing this tip being fully aware that some people get offended if you don’t immediately respond to their messages enquiring about your health. My take? It’s not about them.
If you’ve had COVID-19 before, or if you’ve ever been sick before, you know that it takes over your entire mind and body. You’re in survival mode for some time, and nothing and nobody else matters, and that’s a 100% okay.
I decided on day one that I would focus on myself and reserve my introverted conversational energy only for immediate family members and very close friends. I kept them updated about my health and the next steps.
Retelling your story and narrating your symptoms repeatedly to panicked, curious people isn’t fun. So, do what you need to for your mental health and set boundaries. Most people’s need for information isn’t about you, it’s about them.
3. Keep Negative Triggers At Bay
Daily news? Unnecessary. Keeping up with the case count? Bad move. Dealing with stressors and triggering information? Self-sabotage. Having COVID-19 didn’t just affect my physical health, it messed with my head too. Bad.
Naturally, I Googled it, trying to figure out if it’s just me who’s easily irritated, confused and agitated. Turns out, there are a LOT of ways COVID-19 can affect your mental health.
To avoid making things worse, I stayed away from people and information that would add unnecessary stress and discomfort to an already uncomfortable situation. “Be selfish,” I was told… Great advice.
4. Watch The Good Stuff
Being stuck in isolation, especially away from friends and family, can be a jarring experience. My primary go-to comfort was a combination of Netflix and YouTube.
Watching shows that made me laugh made things 100x better. For a few minutes (fine, hours), I didn’t have to think about the fact that I was unwell and there is a pandemic. Escapism works!
Here are some show recommendations for you to binge-watch and LOL at:
1. The Good Place
2. The Office
3. Schitt’s Creek
4. The Big Bang Theory
5. Parks and Recreation
6. Brooklyn 99
7. Mom
8. Two Broke Girls
5. Don’t Resist Sleep
When all forms of entertainment get boring after days of binge-watching (they eventually do), switch over to the dream telecast. Sleep is your best friend during COVID-19 recovery.
I slept long hours at night, and my body decided morning, afternoon and evening naps were also a great idea. I don’t think I’ve ever slept this much since I was a child, and it helped me in many ways.
Sleeping gave me the physical, mental and emotional rest I desperately needed. I usually woke up feeling well-rested and better every morning than I felt the day before. Sleep also ate into a lot of my awake time, making the time in isolation go by faster. Also, what’s with the vivid fever dreams?
Anyway, I realised this article reads like a letter to a friend, so it’s only fair that my sign-off stays on brand.
I hope you kick COVID-19’s ass and feel better soon!
Do you have any no-BS tips for those battling COVID-19?