How to protect your brain if you have long COVID

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Long COVID, a condition in which people experience symptoms that persist for months after the acute phase of COVID-19, can have significant effects on the brain.

While much is still unknown about the long-term neurological effects of COVID-19, recent studies suggest that long COVID can cause cognitive problems, fatigue, and mood disorders.

Here are some steps you can take to protect your brain health during and after COVID-19:

Get vaccinated: The best way to prevent long COVID is to avoid getting COVID-19 in the first place.

Vaccines have been shown to be highly effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19.

By getting vaccinated, you not only protect yourself but also contribute to herd immunity, which can help protect vulnerable people in your community.

Take care of your physical health: Physical health is closely linked to brain health, so it’s important to take care of your body during and after COVID-19.

This means getting regular exercise, eating a healthy diet, getting enough sleep, and avoiding alcohol and tobacco.

Manage stress: Stress can have a negative impact on brain health, so it’s important to find ways to manage stress during and after COVID-19.

This may include mindfulness meditation, deep breathing exercises, or talking to a mental health professional.

Stay mentally active: Mental stimulation can help keep your brain healthy, so it’s important to stay mentally active during and after COVID-19.

This may include reading, doing puzzles, or learning a new skill.

Seek medical help if you experience symptoms: If you experience symptoms of long COVID, such as cognitive problems, fatigue, or mood disorders, it’s important to seek medical help.

Your doctor can help you manage your symptoms and refer you to a specialist if needed.

Join a support group: Long COVID can be isolating, but joining a support group can help you connect with others who are going through similar experiences.

This can help reduce feelings of loneliness and provide emotional support.

Practice self-care: Taking care of yourself is important during and after COVID-19. This may include taking breaks when you need them, practicing relaxation techniques, or engaging in hobbies that bring you joy.

While much is still unknown about the long-term neurological effects of COVID-19, it’s clear that long COVID can have a significant impact on brain health.

By taking steps to protect your brain health, you can improve your overall health and well-being.

If you care about brain health, please read studies about how the Mediterranean diet could protect your brain health, and Strawberries could help prevent Alzheimer’s disease.

If you care about COVID, please read studies about new evidence on rare blood clots after COVID-19 vaccination, and how diets could help manage post-COVID syndrome.

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