Tips on How to Reduce Symptoms Covid-19

Disclaimer: The information provided here is not attempt to practice medicine or provide specific medical advice, and it should not be used to make a diagnosis or to replace or overrule a qualified health care provider's judgment. Users should not rely up this information for emergency medical treatment. The content listed here is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always consult with a qualified and licensed physician or other medical care provider, and follow their advice without delay regardless of the information provided here.

1. Manage stress. This may seem like a no-brainer, but it is crucial to helping to reduce the impact that the virus could have on your system. Helpful and simple ways to manage your stress and reduce symptoms of Covid-19 (from personal experience as well as research provided by the AHNA and others) include simple Qi-Gong techniques, yoga poses, acupressure points, and breathing exercises. Not only do these techniques help strengthen your immune system to help prevent you from getting the virus, but if you already have it, they help to reduce symptoms. Keep in mind, I am also speaking from my own personal experience from what I found to be especially helpful in managing my own symptoms, and not every one is alike. According to research provided by the AHNA, Ashwaganda has also been shown to help manage the body's stress response and reduce symptoms in people with mild cases. I have been taking it since I had the virus the first time and I believe it has drastically improved my overall wellbeing, as well as reduced my symptoms the second time around.

2. Keep moving. Even if you are in quarantine it is still possible (and essential) to keep those lungs moving and that heart pumping. Various exercises and yoga poses that stretch your arms, shoulders, chest, and back can be especially helpful and they provide relief! I have found HIIT (high intensity interval training) exercises to be especially useful and can be done in the comfort of your own home. Even if you go outside to exercise, it is still important to wear a mask--especially if you have tested positive and if there will be other people around. Please do your part for your community to minimize the spread of this deadly virus.

3. Stay hydrated. I really cannot emphasize this one enough. Warm fluids--caffeine-free tea, hot water, soup-- just to name a few, have shown to reduce the symptoms of Covid-19. "Rona" shies away from hot temperatures and helps ease the body's response to the virus. Drinking fluids helps flush the virus out of your body and reduces its potential impact on your kidneys. However, it is important to avoid ice water, as cold fluids and cold air can aggravate symptoms.

4. Breathe in steam. Whether it is from a large cup of hot water or a bath/shower, breathing in steam droplets help open the alveoli in your lungs, allowing increased lung expansion. I have also found a humidifier and a diffuser with peppermint and eucalyptus oil to be both calming and restorative.

5. Prone therapy. I have seen patients' blood oxygenation increase from the low 70's to 90's just by changing positions from their back to their stomach (you should be anywhere between 92-100% for adequate tissue oxygenation). While sleeping or while at rest, lay on your stomach. This is one of the primary non-invasive and non-medicinal interventions used in the hospital setting for managing severe cases of Covid-19. I would suggest obtaining a pulse-oximeter to measure your oxygen saturation level to ensure your tissues are adequately oxygenated. This range is typically 94-100% for those at sea level, and 92-100% for those at high elevation. If you have underlying lung conditions such as COPD, your oxygenation will likely be lower and that is ok and normal. Please seek emergency medical attention if you are experiencing shortness of breath.

6. Stay positive. This goes hand-in-hand with my first point of managing stressors. This includes avoiding alcohol--it decreases your body's ability to keep your immune system strong. If you ever feel fearful or anxious, remember to breathe. At times when I have found myself needing more air, I have had to consciously breathe from my diaphragm. Finding a breathing meditation can be especially helpful to have someone remind you to inhale and exhale. Again, it may sound like a no-brainer, but remembering to breathe while you have Covid can actually be pretty difficult, and having a guided meditation to help you do so can be incredibly helpful. It is important to not let the fear overtake your ability to heal. Remain positive, remain diligent, and remain healthy. I hope these tips help you to do just that. Stay strong and believe in the power of healing!

With love and light,

SGB