COVID 19 has completely disrupted our lives in more than one way. Even after one year into the pandemic, many of us are still recovering physically and mentally from its after-effects. So far, studies have concluded that recovery from COVID 19 is a long process that can take anywhere from weeks to months.
So, is there a way you can improve your recovery journey? Can pilates help you get well quicker? In this blog, we will discuss how taking up pilates classes can benefit you in getting better after the COVID 19 infection.
COVID 19 infection: What to expect?
So far, WHO has noted that most people only develop milder symptoms like a cough, fever, body aches, sore throat, headache, and fatigue. Like any other flu, these symptoms should go away with bed rest, plenty of fluids, and pain relief medication like paracetamol. In this case, the fever should settle in a week. However, people have reportedly suffered from tiredness and a lingering cough for a month or so. On average most of these people may recover in two to three weeks.
But what if someone suffered from a more serious case of infection?
Due to varying factors like the strain of the virus, the patient’s general health at the time of infection, or having pre-existing conditions, people may develop a much more serious infection. This often tends to happen about seven to 10 days into infection.
Patients have reported that the transformation is sudden and starts with breathing difficulties due to lung inflammation. Shortness of breath can take some considerable time to improve and may require oxygen therapy at a hospital. In case of a serious infection, recovery will take two to eight weeks or more with lingering fatigue.
So how exactly can pilates help patients in COVID 19 rehabilitation? Here is how-
Physical recovery
A lot of COVID 19 patients reportedly felt too weak to carry on with their daily routines during the infection period and after. Fatigue and loss of strength are therefore expected during the recovery phase as well. Our pilates trainer suggests getting started on some simple workouts that safely challenge you to improve your muscular strength and endurance to cope with this.
Practising pilates daily can also help COVID 19 patients to slowly but steadily improve their overall stamina. People who suffered serious illness will find the smooth stretches and positions in pilates helping them get reacquainted with movement again after a long period of inactivity—this aids in improving their overall balance and coordination, which is essential for complete physical rehabilitation.
Additionally, pilates exercises require a natural breathing pattern where you breathe in wide and full to the sides of the ribcage. As you slowly build your strength and stamina, you will also learn to follow this “lateral” breathing, promoting the full use of your ribcage and strengthening your respiratory muscles. With time, you will be able to breathe better and improve your lung capacity post-infection.
Mental recovery
It is very common for people to have a hard time coping with the infection mentally, even if their symptoms were mild. Being confined to a room with only virtual contact with the outside world can negatively impact one’s mental health.
Simple pilates workouts can help release chemicals like endorphin and serotonin in your body, boosting your sense of well-being and suppressing hormones that cause stress and anxiety. By actively practicing pilates during your recovery, you will recover physically and regain your mental strength.
Takeaway
Although studies show that not all COVID 19 patients present the same-post virus symptoms and recover at an individual pace, rehabilitation becomes faster and smoother by including pilates workouts as part of their recovery routines. With online pilates classes available at our wellness centre in Dubai, we encourage everyone recovering from the infection to partake in our daily workout sessions and get physically and mentally back their baseline sooner.
