I caught covid a couple weeks ago and it’s been draining physically as expected but also mentally. Starting week 3 now of not really being able to do anything except walk around the block. Bad habits creeping in. I feel like crap. Spending way too much time on youtube/social media.
I remember in the past that when I started to recover from an illness I’d get a boost of motivation, but I hadn’t noticed that I was actually feeling depressed.
I think part of it was feeling weak and not being able to counter intrusive thoughts. All the stress of regular life sort of piled on in and I had no defence against it.
I absolutely hate being sick and can spiral downward after it too. What helps me is to do my best to focus on the small wins.
Am I feeling better than I was at the worst? Great! Did I get out for at least some exercise? Great, do more tomorrow.
It’s also good you’re identifying the habits you want to avoid, like YouTube and social media overload. Now just try to replace your time on them with something else, almost anything else. Even just dedicating time to one movie or trying to read a few pages or a book can snowball the direction you want to go.
You’ve got this. You’re not hospitalized or worse from your recent illness. And it sounds like you’re on your way to recovering, even if it’s going slowly. One step at a time.
Been there, done that. I probably had Covid twice, but one seemed asymptomatic. (Fully vaxxed each time.) The first time, had only a household member with Covid and some low blood-oxygen readings. The second time, felt like a bad case of flu, tested positive.
Covid seemed to linger for a longer time than most other viral infections I’ve had. Low energy, draggy, for a good month or two after I was physically “recovered.” That I needed to self-quarantine, and my inability to get basic ADLs (activities of daily living) done efficiently contributed to feelings of depression. There was probably also a physiological Covid-related component to my feeling overall “down” as well.
It will pass, eventually (fingers crossed). It just seemed to take longer than run-of-the-mill illnesses. Be gentle with yourself.
I’m finally feeling better today. More energy to actually do things. Definitely recommend avoiding catching covid if you can. I ended up buying some edibles because I was just unable to do anything for a few days and it was driving me into the ground.
