The COVID times
When I put my pj’s on Friday night, little did I know that 3 days later I would still find myself in them; I went to bed that night thinking I had hayfever but instead woke with covid.
I’m not a sickly person. Health is not something I boast about, it’s just something I live so navigating my way through sickness can be somewhat difficult. I’m trying not to be the hero in this situation, there are no trophies for soldiering on instead I have found worth in sitting with the body, recognising what is moving through it – I am feeling into the body and it’s this acceptance that is making this sickly experience more tolerable.
This is my second bout of COVID and even with 5 boosters the complexity of the virus has still found its way into my container, truly knocking me around. Day 4 and only today have managed to get myself out of bed for anything other than the toilet.
I’ve never been hit by a bus but for some reason, I liken this virus to being hit by one – I think it’s the brute force on the body I am describing, I literally feel like I have been knocked with one large hit from all sides.
- Body aches
- Pounding head
- Blocked nose
- Cold feet, in particular toes
- Cold shivers
- Red watery eyes
- Icy breath
- Lethargic
- Loss of taste
I haven’t an appetite, but I am still eating to feed the body. I am constantly thirsty.
Tasting by memory
I am a sense being. I rely on all my senses to help me navigate my way through life; I don’t take for granted my ability to hear, see, smell, touch, and taste. With the virus now removing more than one of my senses when it comes to food, I am relying on memory to help keep the enjoyment of what I eat alive; I am now feeling into food as opposed to tasting it.
Despite not being able to smell or taste food, I am more intune to the texture as it reaches my tongue, I can use my imagination and memory recall to bring the enjoyment of what is served up at the designated mealtimes.
Asked how the creamy pasta with peas tasted my reply was simply – it tasted just like the vegemite on toast, the not-chicken noodle soup, and the vegetable soup. It didn’t have a distinct taste. But what it did have was texture; a softness and silkiness on the tongue, a pop of the peas between the teeth and throughout the mouth – the absence of flavour didn’t detract from the overall enjoyment of the meal; there was still something to notice about this dish that provided fulfilment.
The pasta was made with extra garlic and salt to encourage the taste buds to show up but instead, it wasn’t the taste that made an appearance but the sensation on the tongue. A salty dish tends to burn the pallet a little so although I couldn’t taste the salt, I had a noticeable sensation; this was mindfulness in action.
A moment of mindfulness
- Take a few slow, deep breaths; inhale, exhale, then keep your breathing steady and relaxed
- Visually observe your surroundings, the light, shapes, colours, and textures
- Notice all the different sounds around you, listen to sound just as sound
- If your mind starts to wander, gently bring your awareness back to your senses
With the temporary absence of taste, I have taken the opportunity to become more mindful of how I can appreciate the food served to me recognising that the likening of food goes beyond taste alone.
Seeking nourishment
In times of sickness, sit with your body, feel the body, and listen. I hear nourishment, not only in rest but food; the importance of quality nutrients at this time of need is never greater.
What does nourishment look like?
- Seasonal produce
- Vitamin C
- Magnesium
- Zinc
- Fibre
- Probiotics
Broken down my body has asked for:
- Pumpkin
- Carrot
- Kale
- Onion
- Garlic
- Peas
- Broccoli
- Capsicum
- Celery
- Rockmelon
- Mandarins
- Kiwi fruit
- Spirulina
- Cacao
- Oats
- Barley
- Coconut yoghurt
- Kombucha
Leaning more towards micro nutrient’s than macro, feeding the body with nutrient dense vegetables which has been key to fulfilling the calling of the body’s needs. This is intuitive eating, listening to the internal cues of the body based on my awareness, education, and attitude towards food.
No magic pill (or vaccine)
Despite my best efforts to stop, slow down, sleep, mindfully eat and accept, my experience with the covid virus hasn’t been fun. I’ve been bed bound, isolated, non-communicative wit the outside world and had an overarching feeling of bleakness that is the opposite of how I usually go about my day. Despite being vaccinated, I still got the virus but thankfully with symptoms that although uncomfortable have been manageable.
Nothing is permanent
I will start to feel better. I am starting to feel better and soon the feeling of sickness will be replaced with my version of wellness. Until then, I will respect where I am at and move through this time with a newfound appreciation for where I am at and all that I have around me. I see myself as lucky. I am lucky.
Keep well. And carry on (with mindfulness).
