COVID-19 positive: Managing fatigue

Managing tiredness if you are COVID-19 positive

Key points about managing tiredness when you are COVID-19 positive

  • Tiredness (fatigue) is a common symptom experienced by those with COVID-19 and while they are recovering.
  • Tasks that used to seem easy might now be a challenge. Knowing how to manage tiredness can help in your COVID-19 recovery.
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Fatigue is a feeling of exhaustion that does not get better with sleep. It can be physical or mental/cognitive fatigue. Fatigue can change at different times and isn’t the same for everyone. Tasks that used to seem easy to you might now be a challenge, and this can change throughout the day or week by week. You might even feel low in motivation. Remember, it is ok if you can’t achieve everything that you wanted to in that day.

Physical fatigue: Feeling low in energy, your body may feel heavy and you may feel like you have lost a lot of strength. Even small tasks, like walking to the bathroom, might take up a lot of energy.

Mental/cognitive fatigue: Your brain might feel foggy or cloudy, with even simple tasks exhausting or difficult. You might find it hard to concentrate and focus on work tasks.

Spending time in hospital or being ill at home with COVID-19 can cause your muscles to become weaker. It's important to remember that returning to physical activity and exercise must be done gradually. Get some advice on returning to physical activity and exercise after COVID-19 . 

Fatigue is a common symptom experienced by those with COVID-19 infection. While you are recovering, it can continue for weeks to months after the infection has cleared. Learn more about long COVID. 

There is no clear reason why some people feel more fatigued or tired than others. Different things contribute to the tiredness and make it last a long time. For example, a disturbed daily routine, poor sleep patterns, carer responsibilities, low mood, anxiety and stress can all make your fatigue worse.

While there is no one solution to fit everyone's needs, here are some general tips that you can use to manage fatigue.

Pace yourself and plan your activities

Pacing is an important strategy to help you to work within the limits of your fatigue. Overdoing it can make you feel more exhausted. You should develop an activity plan that is flexible depending on how you are feeling that day. Stay within your current ability, and slowly progress your activity levels as you feel able to do so.

Try to think about when you feel most fatigued, this might be in the afternoon or in the morning. Plan your tasks around your tiredness, and break up tasks throughout the week. For example, instead of cleaning the house in one day, do one room or part of that room each day. Take as many rest periods as you need throughout the day to recharge. If you are too tired to continue, that’s ok. Take a rest and try again tomorrow.

Prioritise your activities

Think about what activities are important to you. Focus on doing these, and consider asking somebody for help, or doing other tasks at a different time of the day.

Let others help you

It's OK to ask for help and allow others to help. Things like caring for children, shopping, preparing meals, or driving may be difficult. Accept offers of support and let people know what they can help you with. Services that can help with activities, such as shopping or cooking, may also be useful while you are still recovering.

Return to exercise slowly and safely

See returning to physical activity and exercise after COVID-19 for some tips on returning to exercise and improving your strength and fitness.

Resources

A guide to home quarantine(external link)(external link) Whānau HQ, NZ, 2022

Related topics

Returning to physical activity and exercise after COVID-19
COVID-19 positive: Care in the community
Long COVID

Reference

  1. Support for rehabilitation – self-management for COVID-19 related illness(external link) World Health Organisation, Denmark, 2020

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Credits: Healthify editorial team. Healthify is brought to you by Health Navigator Charitable Trust.

Reviewed by: Victoria Lai, Senior Physiotherapist Waitematā District Health Board, Committee member Cardiorespiratory special interest group Physiotherapy New Zealand

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