11/06/2024
There are mental challenges of having Long Covid.
Worries and anxieties can at times, dominate thoughts. Think of these as messing with your mind!
Thoughts often repeat over and over which is called ruminating - unfortunately, the brain is wired to focus more on negative thoughts than positive ones.
If we want to reduce ruminating thoughts, it doesn't work if we tell ourselves not to think about that thought.
But minds can be distracted by having a different thought to focus on.
This is where a short practice and preferably practised each day can really help settle or steady the mind. Thoughts are consciously placed onto one thing
The tapping practices are a example that we looked at last week. There is the physical or somatic part, with tapping onto the body or fingers, plus the cognitive or mind aspect through repetition of an affirmation. These two things together keep the mind engaged on the practice itself.
Any of the recorded yoga, breathing and relaxation practices are also another way of doing this. Meditation practices can also be used too.
Ideally find a manageable practice that you like and is effective for you and stick with that same practice for as long as it's helpful. This can help with the mental challenge of having Long Covid.