COVID-19 and Your Health

Isolation, quarantine, and social distancing can affect your mental well-being and physical health

It is normal to feel over-whelmed and experience symptoms such as stress, anxiety, and fear

We recommend you make every effort to combat these emotions during your hospital stay and continue upon discharge home

This is a resource packet to provide recommendations and resources. This is not all-inclusive so feel free to get creative and do what works for you!

Please talk with your nursing staff and medical team if you are having difficulty managing these symptoms – we are here to help

General Tips

Due to current visitor restrictions, it is important keep in touch with your friends and family through digital platforms such as Face Time, Google Duo, Zoom, phone calls, and text messaging. Please ask staff if you need help contacting your loved ones!

Music can be effective in reducing anxiety and altering mood. If you have a smartphone consider putting on your favorite genre using apps such as Pandora, Spotify, amazon music (requires a membership), or YouTube

Mindfulness is the act of being present in the moment without judgment – not thinking about the past or the future. Give it a try using some free apps such as Calm, Headspace, 3 Minute Mindfulness, Breethe: Meditation & Sleep, or Simple Habit

MOVEMENT is MEDICINE and critical to your recovery from COVID-19. Skeletal muscle is a major part of the immune system. Let’s work to prevent muscle wasting to better fight the virus!

Love your LUNGS!

Research shows laying on your stomach may be beneficial in recruiting all areas of your lungs during normal breathing.

It is important to begin this EARLY in your admission to the hospital. Please talk with your nurse before turning onto your stomach, they will need to monitor you the first time.

When in bed, spend as much time as you can on your stomach. This includes sleeping overnight and naps. If you find it harder to breathe, return to your back and notify your nurse.

You may need to place a pillow under your pelvis, lower legs, head and/or chest to be comfortable. Your nurse can assist with this. If you notice discomfort when on your stomach, try your side before returning to your back.

Try these other positions!

These are additional positions that can maximize your lung function. Always remember to resume your previous position and notify your nurse if you find it harder to breathe.

Images adapted from Elmhurst Hospital

Track Your Progress

Check off every mobility attempt or walk taken

Exercise! Breathe! Exercise!

Please complete exercises sitting or request supervision/assistance of your nursing staff for standing exercise. Stop and notify your nurse if you find it harder to breathe.

Please complete exercises sitting or request supervision/assistance of your nursing staff for standing exercise. Stop and notify your nurse if you find it harder to breathe.

Don’t skip leg day!

What is Mindfulness? Simply being present in the moment without judgment; not thinking about the past or future.

What can Mindfulness do for you?

At work, practicing mindfulness can reduce work errors, increase your productivity, and reduce job burnout. At home, improve interpersonal relationships, reduce stress, lose weight, better sleep

How often do I have to be mindful for it to work?

Performing a few minutes a day can have an impact. The more you can be mindful, the better you are able to rewire your brain and have a greater positive effect on your life.

Are you sure I can be mindful? I can’t even meditate…

Absolutely. Just focus on something that is happening now for a few moments, like breathing or the taste and texture of a piece of food in your mouth or the water on your hands as you wash them.

Where can I find more information about mindfulness?

There are some really cool apps and books. Many sync up to your smart phone and can track your progress

“Attending: Medicine, Mindfulness, and Humanity” by Ronald Epstein, M.D. (2017). “Mindfulness On The Go: Inner Peace In Your Pocket” by Padraig O’Morain (2014). “Mindfulness: Be Mindful. Live In The Moment” by Gill Hasson (2013). “Mindfulness: The New Science of Health and Happiness” by Time Magazine Special Edition (2016).

Mindfulness

Books

“The Mindbody Prescription: Healing the Body, Healing the Pain” by John E. Sarno, M.D. (1998).

Sudoku Rules for Beginners

Use Numbers 1-9

Don't Repeat Any Numbers

Each row must contain all of the numbers 1 through 9 and no two numbers in the same row of a Sudoku puzzle can be the same.

Each block must contain all of the numbers 1 through 9 and no two numbers in the same block of a Sudoku puzzle can be the same.

Use Process of Elimination.

Keep your brain active!

Safety at Home

I’m going home, now what?

Even though you are leaving the hospital, it is necessary you continue to stay physically and mentally active to complete your recovery!

Walk around the house for 3-4 minutes every hour if you are able. Sit down if you find it harder to breathe.

CONTINUE to lay in different positions to increase the effectiveness of your lungs, refer to PAGE 2 for the positions.

Complete the included exercises 2x/day (as tolerated)

General Tips

Continue to use technology or your phone to stay in touch with loved ones!

Track your mobility at home to keep yourself accountable with activity.

Sit upright for all meals with your feet on the floor. Even if your appetite is decreased, it is important to resume a normal routine.

Don’t forget to breathe!