As March sets in and the sun’s rays grow stronger we start seeing signs of spring. Trees starting to bud, flowers poking through and the snow melting a little more each day. The release of winter and coming of spring is similar to the aligning and healing of the body’s systems that is possible when someone starts to be able to manage their post-infection symptoms.

As the snow vanishes in my yard, it is revealing layer upon layer of bird seed that has fallen from the feeder between November and March. The nuggets have delighted the birds and squirrels, who are making the most of the newly accessible bounty. For me, I can't help but see the parallel for people experiencing Long COVID and post-infection conditions. For those still facing strong symptoms, the gems of their life, the things they loved to do and that gave meaning to their lives have been suspended, frozen in time and out of reach.

Some people have found a way to melt layers of symptoms away - to find themselves again. Others remain trapped in that winter state. From personal experience, I know that when your symptoms are strong it just isn’t possible to “dig deep” and reach those precious gems in any sustainable way. Even if you do something you love for a short time, the effort is often immense and you know you will pay a price for it later - and need to make extra time and space for a crash. The things you were used to no longer come easily, or are available in the way they once were - like the birds and squirrels, you have to wade through deep drifts and frozen crust to get there. And like those animals in winter that was not always possible, or worth the price the effort would cost you.  

In the face of all this, people remain strong, determined, resourceful and hopeful. The grit on show in this community is miraculous. Yet, the majority of people have hope but not necessarily a clear path forward. 

I heard a great explanation of hope from Dr. Brené Brown: “Hope is not an emotion; it is a process.”

Long COVID and other post-infection conditions have been shown to impact multiple body systems at the same time including the brain, nervous system, immune system and organs. This is what drives such a diverse range of symptoms. Fortunately, there are evidence-based options that can nudge your systems back to better functioning, and once they start to function more effectively this has a knock-on impact to other systems and the improvement trajectory accelerates. Like with melting snow, when the conditions in the environment turn, they can turn quickly, leading to a large change within a short period of time.

Like with the animals who are suddenly able to find food and sustenance more easily, with that melting away of symptoms comes a strong sense of renewal, relief, energy and optimism. This provides a platform for further improvement. It also brings the tangible hope of having a clear process to follow that is delivering results.

Spring may have already come to your neighborhood, or you may be heading into autumn in the southern hemisphere. If your post-infection condition is keeping you in the grip of winter, know there are options to help bring on the thaw and to bring your life back.   

Warmly,
Katie

Related Blog Posts:

• Start As You Mean to Go On  
• Long COVID Invisible, Lonely and Disabling - but There is Hope
• Quick Win vs. Lasting Impact  
• Symptom Management by Addressing Root Causes