Relaxation
Relaxation can be one of the most effective tools to manage your PASC symptoms like fatigue, pain, and stress. Ongoing symptoms of PASC do not need to be met with alarm. If we can calm ourselves, we can also calm our nervous system, reduce our stress, and give ourselves a chance to find other ways to cope with our fatigue, body aches, sleep problems, stress, and depressed or anxious mood.
“I try to relax, but I can’t or it doesn’t help”
Do you still feel tense even after trying to relax? Resting your physical body (e.g., lying on the couch or watching TV) is partly helpful, but the full relaxation response also involves mental relaxation. The relaxation response occurs when you teach your body and mind how to relax more fully and on command by using active relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing. As you practice these techniques, they will become more natural and help you reach a state of total calm and relaxation.
Click on the sections below to learn about specific relaxation activities to help manage your PASC symptoms. There is also information on how to overcome relaxation barriers and challenges.