There’s no doubt that getting back to normal after a Covid infection takes time and effort but it’s also impossible to expect everyone to be able to do the same things at the same stage. Covid has treated us all differently, sometimes similar but never quite the same. It stands to reason that all of us may have different starting points and very different end points.
This blog is aimed at those of us in the recovery phase, the Long Covid group. I thought it may just be fun to know you’re not alone as you start the journey back to normal. Whatever normal is for you, one step at a time……
Some simple rules
● Take your time – Do what you can do, not what you think you should be able to or what someone else is doing.
● Have some fun! Lots of people have sent in their top five motivational songs. Pick some good ones and play them loud when you’re taking those steps. There will be a song of the day and you may well know the words.
● Don’t forget to eat and drink well during this phase. Staying hydrated is really important
● Everytime you finish what you started, give yourself a pat on the back. Every step counts and we need to celebrate them all
● If in doubt or you start to feel ill, seek medical advice. We all need to be safe and feel safe so it’s better to check things out.
● Don’t forget to share your progress with us
What do we need to get going?
All you need to get going is the desire to start moving and the OK from the health professionals who are looking after you. It’s different for all of us. Some just need confidence and support and others have medical complications to deal with so make sure you are ready at each stage to work a little more.
Some helpful extras?
● Oxygen saturation is a problem for some of us and the NHS has handed out thousands of finger monitors. They cost about £20 if you want one and just clip on your finger.
● I have an apple watch but it’s set for my normal which I just don’t find helpful at the moment so I have downloaded a very simple and free app to count my steps. It’s on my phone in the background and counts my steps. Couldn’t be more simple and free.
● Remember it’s all steps that count not just going for a walk. So building up the steps is more of a picture of moving back to doing normal things.
Taking our first steps to recovery
Well the time is here and for many people this is the hardest milestone. If you’ve been very ill in hospital or at home it could be several weeks since you last covered 1,000 steps, somewhere a little shy of half a mile. You’re not doing it in one go unless you want to. It’s an indication of the total amount of moving around you do each day. It’s good to think it may take a few days to be doing it comfortably. You should only move
past this marker when you can do it a couple of days on the run. Don’t worry if an active day is followed by a rest day.
Now other people may hit the ground much faster and that’s fine. Take your time, stay hydrated and keep yourself safe.
So let’s celebrate today, we are here, we are breathing and ready to cover those steps.
Our starting song today is Heroes from David Bowie, nominated by Sharron Tynsley in Abergele, North Wales
let’s start the day…
