When you have ants in your pants type of energy, you can’t sit still; well, that was me. I used to have a very active routine, from boxing twice a week to a yoga class for the remainder of the working week. My energy levels were fantastic… everything was good until one day I got a cough… that was the beginning of COVID-19 downfall.
I have worked as a key worker on the front line and dealt with a few irresponsible people throughout the pandemic. Although the TV, radio, newspapers and social media gave repetitive messages about the symptoms of COVID-19 and management. People with symptoms were still coming into contact to ask for advice. So it was only a matter of time until I caught it from one of them. Despite the fact, I was wearing viziers, masks, and part of regimental cleaning.
Nevertheless, I still managed to catch the virus and pass it on to my family members, which resulted in my mum being admitted to the hospital. To add to that, I was also very poorly and was in a totally awful state. After 10 days, I looked like Mr Burns from The Simpsons minus the money.
The worst was the aftermath of the virus. I no longer had the energy to walk. All I wanted to do was sit and eat. The fatigue, mental and physical, was overwhelming. I felt trapped, desperately wanting to return to the old routine (full of freedom and energy). I would get very frustrated with myself frequently.
After a while, I gave up. I decided to read and learned that I had long covid-19. Not wanting to accept that I had to slow down, I knew it was essential and part of recovery. Yoga was positively advocated to help overcome fatigue. So, I joined yoga classes. With my type-A personality, I went all in. Unfortunately, I made the mistake of doing dynamic vinyasa about 4-5 times a week. On week two, I experienced more fatigue, and I had to stop on week three.
I then decided to take things even slower but resting and accepting. I used youtube (yoga with Adriene) to do light yoga at bedtime and started walking my way to recovery. Six months on, I feel better but not like my old self. I am ok with that. I have learned to accept the now and roll with it.
Written by Hira Aslam
Recent Comments