Prioritizing activities is necessary for everyone, from people experiencing post-viral conditions to high-performing athletes. (written 09/01/2024)

Summer has a lot to offer. Longer days allow more time outside, the weather is warm, water activities and BBQ gatherings are in full flow. Summer increases the opportunities to meet up in the fresh air, which helps reduce the risk of human-to-human spread of airborne bacterial and viral infections.  

While fresh air, socialization, and fun activities are some of the best things the season has to offer, Summer can get busy. Sometimes it feels too busy. In order to be able to do the things we like to do, while also taking care of our bodies and brains, all of us need to prioritize how we spend our time and energy. Knowing our priorities helps us make decisions about where to invest our energy to have fun and still cover the basics, while managing symptoms, because no one can do everything.

When Andrea was training to compete with the best biathletes in the world, you can imagine that it was not possible to do everything all the time. She had to prioritize carefully. Katie had the same experience managing her Long COVID symptoms. As an athlete whose competition season is in winter, the important work to be physically at the top of the game was done in the spring, summer, and fall. Andrea had to learn to prioritize activities over the year so she could be successful and have fun during the competitive season. There were three years during her racing career when she experienced disappointing race results in November, right at the start of the competitive season, and realized that she would not be able to perform at the same level she was aiming for. The foundations she needed weren’t in place, and there wasn’t enough time left that could to change that. Those were excruciatingly long and heartbreaking winters, seeing others filling the spots at world championship races and relay events. She had done the training and was not looking for shortcuts, but her body was still not performing the way she wanted and needed it to. She was reminded that to compete at the highest level in a professional sport, she had to be professional. With Long COVID and post-viral conditions, a similar deliberate and whole-person approach to helping your body perform at its best, can help you meet your goals in life. This can be a challenging mental transition to make, but once you make it, the benefits are real and help keep you on that path. 

Just like Andrea's racing experience, the real work happens through day-to-day choices. When experiencing Long COVID, having the right recovery approach is critical, but also being aware that symptom management activities can include things you know about, as well as others you may not naturally consider. It includes small decisions you make throughout your day that can either take energy away from your recovery process or help you feel better and perform to the best of your current physical ability.     

As mentioned, those difficult racing seasons felt endless, and they each put Andrea's career at risk, meaning she faced the prospect of not having the end of her racing days in her own hands.

We know that post-viral conditions can leave you with a similar loss of control and feeling that you are not moving through life on your own terms - which is frightening and so different from what you are used to. The experience from Andrea's racing career and from supporting people with post-viral conditions is that it is possible to make choices that help your body perform at its best. In some cases, they are unique to post-viral conditions, but they are remarkably similar to the approach that was successful for Andrea when she was racing and performing at her best. These are called Pacing strategies. They are proven and can be adjusted to let you use them effectively, regardless of where you are starting from and what you are juggling in your personal life. Critically, Pacing lets you be intentional about choosing what you value doing most and reducing other low-value strains and stressors on your body. It lets you do more of what you love and support your recovery, while keeping activity levels within boundaries that are safe and let you limit symptoms and energy crashes.  

We mentioned before that we are excited to introduce  our latest program, Pacing Essentials, as a resource for people with Long COVID and other post-viral conditions. We are passionate about sharing this knowledge and supporting people to feel better, so we are offering this right now for $97. This program is packed with value, but we want to keep the price point very accessible so more people can benefit. Plus, you will get extra personalized coaching support from Katie and Andrea via a 1 on 1 Zoom consultation. You can find out more about the program here. Feel free to share this with others who may benefit. 

So, if you want to be in a different place and be able to do more of the things you want to do next summer, start your preparation now. It’s amazing how simple changes can have a huge impact and help you manage symptoms, feel better, and do more of what you need and love to do.  

Warmly,  
Katie & Andrea

PS. Andrea experienced the power of Pacing when competing at the Olympic level. Katie experienced it and continues to benefit from the power of Pacing to manage Long COVID symptoms. If you need support to manage your post-viral conditions, please consider Pacing Essentials or reach out to us if you have any questions.