Easy Appetizer

14 Austin South Asian | November 2022 Post COVID Fatigue: Expert Shares Tips To Manage This Lingering Symptom

How to manage post COVID fatigue?

Even though COVID-19 has taken a milder turn, the symptoms continue to affect our lives and productivity.

This means, although scientists have suggested that mild Omicron infections cannot cause severe symptoms and therefore do not leave any lingering effects, some people continue to battle sluggishness and fatigue while recovering from an infection.

This condition is called long COVID or post-COVID syndrome.

What is long COVID or post COVID syndrome?

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), long COVID or post-COVID conditions are a wide range of new, returning, or ongoing health problems that people experience after being infected with the virus that causes COVID-19.

While some people recover in a matter of days, there are those who take weeks and even months to get rid of the symptoms induced by the SARs-CoV-2 virus.

As per the health body, post-COVID conditions are found more often in people who had severe COVID-19 illness or those who are not yet vaccinated.

Fatigue can be a lingering symptom

A common and discomforting post COVID ailment is fatigue. It can deprive you of your energy, while leaving you tired and inactive throughout the day. Dr Lola Tillyaeva, an Uzbek diplomat and philanthropist, says, “When recovering from any ill-

An Easy Appetizer To Add Holiday Cheer

ness, including COVID-19, you may experience fatigue, as reported by Express.co.uk.

“Fatigue is a normal part of the body’s response to fighting an illness, and it is likely to continue for some time after the infection has cleared,” she adds.

Before the big meal, gifts and cherished moments at the family table, almost every holiday party starts with an important tradition: breaking the ice. This year, you can serve up a smile and start the party with this crave-inducing appetizer to get everyone talking.

The sweet touch of Roasted Garlic Whipped Feta Crostini from Milk Means More can be your delightful way to brighten the season of gifts and gatherings. With its creamy cheesiness from a homemade whipped topping boasting the richness of feta and whole milk, it’s an easy and tasty way to invite friends, family and neighbors into your home.

This shareable treat comes together in a cinch while adding pops of cheerful color to plates and platters.

Find more holiday recipe inspiration at MilkMeansMore.org.

Roasted Garlic Whipped Feta Crostini Recipe courtesy of Liz Della Croce of “The Lemon Bowl” on behalf of Milk Means More Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 10 minutes Servings: 16

1 bulb garlic (about 12 cloves)

4 tablespoons olive oil, plus additional for drizzling, divided 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, divided 1 1/2 teaspoons pepper divided 32 baguette slices 8 ounces feta cheese 1/2 cup whole milk, plus additional, if necessary (optional) 2 tablespoons lemon juice 1/2 cup pomegranate seeds 1/4 cup parsley, minced salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Wrap foil tightly around garlic and roast until caramelized, about 30 minutes.

Place ba guette slices o n large baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil. Bake on second rack in oven until golden brown about 10 minutes; set aside.

In high-speed food processor, pulse feta cheese, milk, lemon juice, remaining salt, remaining pepper and roasted garlic cloves until whipped and creamy, adding more milk as needed to reach desired consistency. Check for seasoning and adjust, to taste.

Preheat oven to 400 F. Slice garlic bulb in half, exposing garlic heads, and place in center of large piece of tinfoil. Drizzle each half with 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon To serve, spread each baguette slice with whipped feta and sprinkle with pomegranate seeds and minced parsley. (Family Features) So what do you do to relieve post COVID fatigue?

‘Rest and nourishment’ are crucial

According to Dr Tillyaeva, “rest and nourishment” are very important while recovering from COVID-19.

Getting ample amounts of rest and eating foods that help with recovery can help manage the fatigue that lingers on after initial infection.

Furthermore, the doctor highlights some of the lifestyle changes that can help “boost your energy levels and restore your overall wellbeing”.

Deep breathing and gentle exercise are key

Taking deep breaths and indulging in mild exercises can also help keep the body in shape and fasten recovery.

“The daily habit of deep breathing from the belly generates vast improvements in our overall health. It delivers fresh oxygen to cells. It slows the heartbeat. It lowers blood pressure. It relaxes the muscles,” says Dr Tillyaeva. “It relieves stress effectively and naturally which can help you to feel more positive and energised,” she adds.

Furthermore, the expert shares that yoga can be a great way to ‘boost’ energy levels and connect ming and body.

“Slower forms of yoga, like Yin Yoga offer deeper access to the body’s functioning which can be beneficial for fighting fatigue,” she explains.

What kind of food should you have?

The doctor notes that fatigue can also occur due to low levels of iron in the body, which is why having a plant-based diet rich in iron can help with recovery from lethargy.

“Low iron levels may be linked to fatigue, and when we get iron from plants (non-heme iron), our bodies are better able to regulate absorption – if our iron stores are low, we absorb more, and vice-versa,” she says.

“Iron is abundant in many plant foods, including lentils, soybeans, spinach, oatmeal, quinoa, and seeds,” she shares further.

Make sleep a priority

According to the doctor, “Another important aspect of sleep, which could help with fatigue is the daytime nap.”

“Researchers have found that a midday nap can improve our brain’s efficiency and help us sort through unconscious information we’ve taken in without necessarily realising it, in the same way that night-time sleeping does,” she says.

(Courtesy: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/)