- NicoleDeRosa
- Dec 9, 2022
- 8 min read
Updated: Nov 11, 2023
After 2 1/2 years of not getting Covid, my parents and I......... got Covid.
I'm beyond grateful that we somehow miraculously never got it early on in the pandemic. I still wonder if it was because of my clinical OCD micromanaging everyone around me that kept Covid at bay...with my incessant reminders of..."don't touch that door knob without a tissue....go wash your hands...put your mask on....clean your phone...." and the list goes on.
With that said, I suppose it was inevitable at some point that it caught up to us. I'm just grateful that we had the vaccine (just my opinion...you do you) and I'm especially so grateful that my parents we able to fight it + not end up in the hospital like so many other unfortunate souls. Hearing how a good friend of mine lost her Dad to Covid sent me into a spiral of depression in the early stages of the pandemic during the worldwide quarantine.
Whatever I needed to do to help my parents survive this, sign me up.
If a mask would help, I did it.
If a vaccine helped, I did it.
I would do anything for them.
My Dad is semi-retired, but retirement has been quite hard for him. He loved his job + being around people + coordinating events with his coworkers. A few months ago, he took a part time job at the local YMCA at the front desk. Most likely, that is where he got Covid. My Mom + I were fine for a few days until I felt a bit sick. I was completely like, "oh this is a tickle...or allergies...it's nothing" It really felt like nothing....until a few days later + yep....it was Covid. By the time, I got Covid my Dad was feeling better + then a few days after me, my Mom got it too.
Below, I have compiled a list of things to have on hand to help with the discomforts of having Covid. If you are high risk ANY upper respiratory virus can be a challenge, so bookmark this post for future reference. Being prepared is far better than being surprised.
A Few Powerful Tools To Prepare For COVID
Water - I suggest keeping a bottle near your nightstand so it's there for easy access + so you don't forget to keep drinking. If you can, keep track to make sure you are drinking enough. It was great to have it nearby because I honestly would wake up from my slumber + not remember if I drank anything, what day it was or what time it was! I like to keep these water bottle on hand.
Warm Bath or Shower - If you can muster up the energy, it's good to freshen up + upon waking, get the sick sweat off. I was getting a lot of hot + cold flashes so it felt so good to do this for my mind + for self care. Whenever I take a warm bath or shower, I feel slightly less depressed when I come out. I feel slightly more invigorated + less tense. Oh, I also like to hang a eucalyptus bundle in my shower + sprinkle some epsom salt in my bath. If you can, start using a sauna regularly to induce heat shock proteins.
Movies, TV Series, Documentaries, Podcasts - Because I'm a nerd + proud of it, I actually keep an ongoing list of all these so I can remember to catch up on any given one of them so I'm not just aimlessly searching for something to listen to or watch. When migraines were kicking my ass, it helped to have podcasts on hands so I could close my eyes + just listen + get my mind off of my ailments for the time being.
Sleep + Rest - Don't mess up your sleep! Messed up sleep leads to messed up immune responses. I would know...It actually took me longer to recover from Covid than my parents. I attribute that to my horrible sleep + OCD where I have been pushing myself with projects + living on west coast time while I'm east coast living! I implore you to use this time wisely + GET YOUR REST! Occasionally, I will sometimes take Ora Organic's "You're A Knockout" natural sleep aid supplement. You can order yours HERE but as always, check with your doctor first before taking mine or anyone's advice.
Things I Have On Hand
To Help Me Through Any ILLNESS
Chicken Broth, Bone Broth (or) Mineral Vegan Broth - I would suggest to just constantly sip on some when you get hungry. It's so soothing for your throat between all the coughing + dryness. You can add veggies, orzo or noodles of choice to the broth or have it by itself. I always like to have broths on hand from OWL Venice, which you can check out HERE.
Vitamins + Supplements - Bone up on nutrients like zinc, vitamin C and vitamin D to protect your collagen. I take Ora Organic's "Well Wishes" immune support supplement which has elderberry, echinacea, vitamin C + more. For collagen, I like to use plant based collagen by Ora Organic called "Aloe Gorgeous".
Throat Salve - I took Boiron Chestal Cold + Cough Syrup and I also like to have Beekeeper's Naturals Propolis Throat Spray on hand to spray on my dry, sore throat throughout the day. I love their cough drops as well.
Expand A Lung: Lung Exerciser. You can use it to keep your lungs working + it’s great as you recover to move the lungs + get the muck out. It helps you cough it up + move it out!
Oxygen Cans - These are helpful when you need extra O2. Not everyone has actual medical grade oxygen tanks at home for when energy or Pulse Ox gets too low. When one is low on oxygen it sets panic in, logic goes out the door + getting a little O2 can do wonders.
Pulse Oximeter - This is a MUST have. You need to monitor it during any/all illness. Some health insurance programs offer these in their discount program so I suggest looking into it to see if your insurance does too.
Vapor Rub - I prefer Maty's brand which is a petroleum free rub. This one is tried + true! It really helps to have someone else massage it vigorously into your back + apply to the chest as well. Then use the lung exerciser or nebulizer + move those lungs! This is more a stimulant of olfaction + blood flow more than anything.
Foam Roller - This was key for me to use daily to keep my thoracic spine moving. Your thoracic spine innervates your lungs + digestion + I wanted to keep things moving + stimulated to work optimally.
Saline Nasal Wash - A tried + true helper that keeps the nasal mucosa happy. This one is squishy so it can really get stuff to move. You can use the included saline packets in distilled water + add a xylitol packet to bust up any biofilms present. It’s helpful regardless of what kind of inflamed sinus issues I’m having.
Nebulizer - A wonderful + simple tool to help your lungs when they get hit. You may prefer the soothing help of simple saline packets.
A Sensible GROCERY LIST
A couple varieties of nut butter and tahini
Onions (they keep for weeks when stored in a cool, dark place)
Veggies: broccoli, celery, carrots, and kale (add to soups and pastas)
Bananas (when they start to turn, freeze for smoothies or bake into banana bread)
Ora Organic "So Lean & So Clean" (plant based daily protein powder for smoothies)
Sliced bread (pop it in your freezer, will last a long time)
Taste boosters: Coconut Aminos (instead of soy sauce), Mayo, Ketchup, Fruit Jam, Dijon Mustard, Parmesan Cheese, Olives, Capers.
Re-hydrating Packets (BT Fountain by Pique) (just add water)
HYGIENE Essentials
Healthy Meal DELIVERY
Some of us take our health for granted + it's not only until our bodies are crying out to us when we sometimes take it more seriously. The biggest risk factors with getting Covid are lack of physical exercise and frailty. I know when I got sick, I was thinking about all the nature walks and sunshine I was going to enjoy when I felt better again. I wish you + your family good health and I hope this list of suggestions help.
Medical Disclaimer:
The information and representations contained in the NicoleDeRosa.com website, from here on referred to as NicoleDeRosa.com, and distributed by the author, as well as any products, foods, supplements, strategies, or services made available on or through NicoleDeRosa.com or its author, have not been evaluated by the United States Food and Drug Administration and are not a substitute for disease prevention, diagnosis, treatment, or cure. No statements, claims, foods, services, products, or resources mentioned or made available or accessible through NicoleDeRosa.com are intended to prevent, diagnose, treat, or cure diseases of any kind. The author affiliated with this site is not a physician or medical professional, and information expressed herein, as well as that conveyed through the author’s social media accounts, newsletters, guides, ebooks, and other products and platforms does not constitute medical advice. Consult a licensed health care professional before implementing any change or discontinuing any element in your dietary, nutraceutical, supplemental, exercise, or pharmaceutical regimen and before engaging with any protocol, or if you have or suspect you may have a health problem. Regardless of health status, do not use this author’s informational material, products, or services for the purposes of medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, or for prescription of any supplement, medication, dietary regimen, exercise routine, or protocol of any kind. Because the information and opinions herein are not intended to replace medical, psychological, or other professional advice, diagnosis, treatment, or prescribing, you must maintain treatment as prescribed by your physician, psychiatrist, or other medical professional irrespective of your use of the author’s services and irrespective of your engagement with the material on NicoleDeRosa.com. The information presented by this author does not represent a claim of benefits, cures, or a legal warranty or guarantee of results or health improvement of any kind. Perusal of NicoleDeRosa.com and ideas presented by the author does not imply that the reader is a client of the author, and access to or receipt of said information does not in any way imply that a client-coach relationship has been established. For both clients, non-clients, and the general public, NicoleDeRosa.com and content created by the author does not render or replace medical advice and it is intended for informational purposes only. As such, the author claims no responsibility to any person or entity for any liability, loss, personal injury or harm caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly due to use, application, or interpretation of the information presented herein. Moreover, in no way does the author does not guarantee the information accessible on NicoleDeRosa.com or linked websites to be accurate, complete, up-to-date, reliable, or reflective of the sum total of peer-reviewed scientific literature on topics presented. Do not reveal private or sensitive information, as NicoleDeRosa.com is available to the public such that information you disclose will not remain confidential or protected in nature. Similarly, should you choose to connect with the author via email, you may want to encrypt confidential information since Internet email is not always secure. Links to other web pages contained within NicoleDeRosa.com serve both as references to support statements and represent tools to direct readers to other relevant resources, and do not imply that information presented in linked web pages necessarily represent the opinions of the author. Likewise, links do not imply that the author is in any way affiliated with these resources or with the persons or entities associated with these links. In the same vein, any link made available through NicoleDeRosa.com, social media, newsletters, guides, ebooks, and other products and platforms does not constitute a recommendation of any kind and does not imply that the author supports, sponsors, or advocates the statements set forth in the linked web pages nor does it imply that the author is legally authorized to use any copyrighted symbol, logo, registered trademark or trade name, legal or official seal that is property of the owners of the links. By the same token, guest posts by other bloggers on this site do not necessarily represent the views of the author of NicoleDeRosa.com or constitute an endorsement of their products, services, statements, or approaches.
