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COVID-19 infection frequently leaves people feeling tired and weak, with shortness of breath and muscle pain performing simple tasks. Many also feel anxious or even depressed. Recovery can take longer than expected, and it can feel like you’ll never get back to normal.  Listen to your body to help you find the right balance between rest and activity while you get better.

Download the Moving Medicine Handy Tips for recovering from COVID-19

This patient information leaflet is for people recovering from COVID-19 and includes safe and effective information to help you take control and start building your body back to normal. This been developed by doctors and medical experts with the help of COVID-19 patients.

Find further useful downloads for people recovering from COVID-19

Download free graphics of Top Tips for people recovering from COVID-19
Active recovery workbook

Download this active recovery workbook to help you plan and manage your own return to health

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Bed exercise programme

This booklet details a number of exercises that can be done on the bed. There are exercises to work on flexibility and strength as well as guidance on how to progress the exercises. They are designed to help you start to get moving a little more as you start to recover or if it’s been some while since you’ve exercised.

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Standing exercise programme

This booklet details a number of exercises that can be carried out standing next to a stable surface. There are exercises to work on stamina, flexibility and strength as well as guidance on how to progress the exercises. They are designed to help you start to get moving a little more as you start to recover or if it’s been some while since you’ve exercised.

For further advice, support and more detailed information visit these outstanding resources from trusted sources

I would like to learn more about improving particular symptoms

Breathlessness

 Asthma + Lung UK provides information and guidance to support you if you are feeling breathless.  Their stay active, stay well exercise videos give you everything you need to start exercising. They include step-by-step aerobic and strength exercises as well as how to warm up before you start, and cool down and stretch at the end.  The  programme has been designed for people living with a long-term lung condition, and includes exercises at 3 levels, depending on how breathless you are.

The Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Respirartory Care have produced advice on managing breathlessness and also techniques to help improve it. Find their resources here.

Mood

The NHS ‘Every Mind Matters’ campaign provides support and information for people during the coronavirus pandemic.  Offering support and tips to help cope with common symptoms such as mood, anxiety, stress and sleep disruption.

Visit this collection of practical resources by the fantastic charity Mind, which are designed to help people worried about Covid-19 and how it impacts on day-to-day life.

Fatigue

These videos have been viewed and recommended by the Sheffield Long Covid Patient Voice Group. The series of videos should ideally be watched in order and take over an hour and a half if watched all in one sitting. It is therefore recommended you take regular breaks between each one if you watch them all in one sitting so that you are not fatigued.

I have been discharged from hospital, are there any other resources that might help me?

I need more support following my discharge from hospital

A team of multi-disciplinary health professionals at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals have developed these comprehensive resources to support patients with their initial recovery once discharged from hospital following treatment for COVID-19.

I have been very unwell in intensive care. Where can I find more help?

The ICU STEPS team provide advice and information about intensive care. Their resources tell you how critical illness may be treated and what recovery may be like. Most of this guide is written for patients but there is a section specifically for relatives and visitors that can help answer many of the common questions people may have.

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I would like something that will help me build a structured rehabilitation plan in the community

This handbook has been created by professionals at Plymouth NHS Trust to give you a framework that you can use with your team of health care professionals and your loved ones to support your recovery after COVID-19.

Where else can I find support?

Asthma +Lung UK Helpline

The Asthma + Lung UK run helpline is supporting people managing breathing concerns related to COVID infection

The Chartered Society of Physiotherapists

The CSP resource offers guidance and signposting on being active both for both patients and professionals

Your COVID Recovery

Your COVID Recovery helps you to understand what has happened and what you might expect as part of your recovery.

Swimming after the Covid-19 pandemic

Swim England have put together a fact sheet on swimming after Covid 19

Sheffield Post Covid Rehabilitation Hub

Visit the Sheffield Post Covid Rehabilitation Hub, developed by Sheffield Teaching Hospitals to provide specialist advice and support to those with Long Covid-19.

Campaigns

Sport England #StayinWorkOut

Join the Movement from Sport England offers tips, advice and guidance on how to keep or get active in and around your home.

Every Mind Matters

The ‘Every Mind Matters’ campaign provides support and information for people during the coronavirus pandemic. Offering support and tips to help cope with common symptoms such as mood, anxiety, stress and sleep disruption.

Change For Life

Change 4 life has great ideas for indoor activities for children

One You Home Workouts

One You offers a range of free 10 minute home workouts

We are Undefeatable

For inspiration and support to move more and get active with a health condition visit “We Are Undefeatable”, a movement developed by 15 leading health and social care charities with support from Sport England

If we’ve missed any other great resources supporting recovery after COVID please let us know so we can share them too.