Eleanor's Story
Eleanor's Story
Eleanor's Story
Age 48.
I had pre-existing health conditions: fibromyalgia and IBS.
After Covid I've had new levels of fatigue and muscle/nerve pain, headaches, tinnitus, lack of concentration, breathing issues, palpitations, new gastro-intestinal issues and chest pain.
Eleanor's Story
Eleanor's Story
The impact Covid had
I was barely able to leave the house and have not been able to work. I was like this for 6 months. I struggle concentrating and have overwhelming fatigue.
Most beneficial part of the programme
I learnt how to ‘send messages to myself’ to help me slow down. The words Karen uses in the meditation stayed with me and helped me with coping strategies and to manage my symptoms better.
The digestive meditation Karen did helped to clear the nausea I woke up with every morning.
Eleanor's Story
How Life is Now
I’ve got a sense of control. I am able to use the meditations when I feel I am not coping. It’s helped me manage myself by catching myself before I do too much. I am able to pull myself back and not overdo anything.
What surprised you about the programme?
Praising my body instead of cursing it. Having peer support.
Best piece of advice?
“Convalescence is a full-time job!”
Karen's Story
Karen's Story
Karen's Story
I didn’t have any prevous health conditions, but Covid left me with headaches, being out of breath and over-tired - very much overwhelmed with fatigue. I also suffered from lack of sleep and panic attacks.
Karen's Story
Karen's Story
The impact Covid had
I was unable to work for the first month or go for long walks - which I love and did daily until Covid brought them to an end. I started to get panic attacks and feel anxious – something which was totally alien to me. Bouts of lack of sleep also affected my concentration.
Most beneficial part of the programme
Having the tools and ability to take back some control over my recovery.
Karen's Story
How Life is Now
I began to feel more energised early on in the meditations. How I am now is that I’m able to go on walks – not quite so long ones and I have to take it easy – but I’m walking, working and enjoying life much more. I sleep well and accept what my body has been through and don’t push myself to go out on long walks anymore.
Best piece of advice?
"Make sure you slow down and take time to rest. That’s hard when you’re naturally active. Take the advice!"
Jane's Story
Jane's Story
Jane's Story
Age 48.
I had various pre-existing health conditions: hypermobility spectrum disorder, ADHD, mild asthma, ectopic heartbeats, thyroidectomy due to previous thyroid disease.
My main covid symptoms were sore throat and throat swelling, cough, significant breathing difficulties unlike my usual asthma and not relieved by inhalers, hoarse voice, muscle weakness, tinnitus, some fatigue, and dry, sore bloodshot eyes, and in the early weeks I also had high blood pressure and tachycardia. I had one visit to A&E three weeks after starting with symptoms.
Jane's Story
Jane's Story
The impact Covid had
Covid had a huge impact on my life. My lung function was so affected I struggled to manage a ten minute walk at a very slow pace. I was so out of breath I had to lie down after going upstairs. I have struggled to do basic tasks. The muscle weakness and breathing problems were frightening, took all my attention, and affected my sleep. I continued working part-time from home as I am self-employed, but had to slow down and was not able to do everything I normally do. I could do some written work, but was unable to talk much due to the breathing problems. Five months after getting ill was a turning point when I felt significant improvement. .
Most beneficial part of the programme
Breathing improvements were measurable by comparing my peak flow readings before and after each meditation. I also had significant stress reduction and better sleep. I have felt supported by taking part and it has helped me to feel more positive and empowered.
Jane's Story
How Life is Now
As my breathing has improved, my energy and concentration have also improved. I sleep better. I have learned to be more relaxed and waste less energy. My peak flow measurements that are used to monitor my asthma started to consistently improve from four months after getting ill, around the time I started doing the meditations. I had a significant general improvement around five months. I have felt most well in the weeks when I have consistently practised the meditations every day. I am getting more work done, and am able to use my voice for longer before it gets fatigued. I feel more confident about being able to cope.
What didn't you expect (or what surprised you) about the programme?
I was amazed at the noticeable improvements in my breathing after each meditation. I did not expect to get such dramatic improvements. I have renewed confidence that I have the tools to recover fully.
What surprised you about the programme?
I was amazed at the noticeable improvements in my breathing after each meditation. I did not expect to get such dramatic improvements. I have renewed confidence that I have the tools to recover fully.
Best piece of advice?
Convalescence is the most important thing. Rest and don't push yourself. Even on good days, pace yourself. Get peer support through support groups. It really helps to not be going through it alone.
Who is it for?
It's for you, if you’ve had COVID-19 and continue to be affected by the symptoms – from anxiety and panic attacks to breathlessness or lack of energy. Please note, if you have other serious symptoms, we do urge you to talk to a medical professional immediately.
What relaxation methods do you use?
Meditation and breathing exercises. If you’re new to meditation, it’s not something strange or anything that involves chanting! It’s about feeling calm and in control, and we can use it to target and influence different areas of the body.
What benefits can I expect by the end of the 12 weeks?
You can expect to feel much calmer and in control of your recovery. You’ll also have a set of tools to continue to use and implement, as well as support from the group. People who have been on the course found the experiences of other people who’ve also had COVID-19 very useful. Then, of course, there’s the physical and emotional benefits too – see more in the following question.
What symptoms can it help?
We’ve seen improvements in a variety of symptoms across those who have been through the programme. One of the most important parts is the confidence it gives you to manage your own symptoms.
Expect to see improvements in symptoms relating to:
- Anxiety
- Stress levels
- Breathlessness
- Panic attacks
- Fatigue
- Mental health
- Headaches
- Emotions
- Sleeplessness
What does the programme comprise?
Weekly, peer-led support group.
Lifetime access to meditation and relaxation audio to control your multiple body systems.
Personal support from Karen by email, phone, or optional 1-2-1 consultations.
If needed, alternative ways to access the course to encourage digital accessibility for all.
Access to a private Facebook Group where you can access support from your peers.
I'm not sure about the course and if it's for me?
That’s ok, we understand. That’s why we’re holding a series of taster sessions throughout April and early May 2021. To book a place on the online introduction session here.
How much time will it take each week?
The sessions are once a week, online and under an hour. You can access recorded audios that are 10-20 minutes in length, we recommend listening to these a couple of times per week to help with your ongoing recovery.
What if I can’t make a week?
No problem, if you can’t make the live call on Tuesdays you can access the recording of the session.It's for you if you’ve had Covid and continue to be affected by the symptoms – from anxiety and panic attacks to breathlessness and lack of energy. Please note if you have other serious symptoms, we do urge you to talk to a medical professional.
The first symptom I tackled was the panic attacks..
To do this I used a breathing technique, something I share with you in the first week of the Covid Get Better Programme. After using this, thankfully, the panic attacks stopped.
I then moved on to the next symptom, lack of sleep. This was caused by a fluctuating body temperature and I was able to improve this too.
This was the turning point.
From here I focused on a specific meditation using the endocrine system.
I began to feel I’d regained some control over my health and I wasn’t so worried.
It took me time to accept how much my body had been through and that I needed to slow down and not push myself – but that was hard.
The next thing to address was what I could do about getting out of breath easily when walking uphill. I developed a technique that focuses on ways to positively affect the nervous system. This is so effective, and it’s included in Week 2 of the programme.
I know I was very fortunate in being a trained therapist..
Knowing how to develop guided meditation methods, I was able to use these to help myself recover.
Over the weeks I learned a lot about what works, and what I needed to do to get better. I knew that I should share these learnings with others who were in a similar situation.
I started to take other people through the programme and ended up feeling more and more energised by the results I’d found. It was important to share this.
and the results came in...
Others who’d had a different experience of Covid with underlying health problems, were getting relief.