My experience and advice on overcoming COVID-19

Much to my surprise, I tested positive for COVID-19 in October. We all know of the highly contagious nature of the virus and unfortunately, I must have been in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Yes, I am a 20-year-old college student attending CU Boulder, but I live with my parents in Longmont and limited myself to a small group of friends. Colorado’s cases are skyrocketing and unless you build a hut in Antarctica, odds are you’ll be exposed eventually. Despite this belief, it was still a shock when my turn came.

Sometimes life doesn’t go your way, and all you can really do is control what you can control. Wearing a mask in public spaces is a given and for people who are high-risk, taking extra precautions is also imperative. We all know this.

What I have been frustrated with is the general lack of attention to simply improving your health. No matter what your health profile looks like, there are steps you can take to improve your immune system. This may sound naive coming from a healthy 20-year-old, but this is the reality we’re stuck in and all we can do is make the best of it.

I’m not a doctor, but one of the few things that seems clear to health professionals is that Improving your Vitamin D intake is one of the best ways to fend off the coronavirus. While exposing yourself to sunlight is the easiest and best way to get Vitamin D, I would recommend taking at least a 1000-mg supplement as we enter the winter months; Vitamin C and zinc can’t hurt either.

I was wise enough to begin taking Vitamin D supplements months before I was diagnosed and if nothing else, I had a clearer conscience. My symptoms were pretty mild, and I had some decent congestion at worst. I don’t want to make light of the severity of the disease for some people, but I was lucky to have a subdued experience.

For 10 days following the onset of my symptoms, I spent the bulk of my day isolated in the basement and away from my parents and sister. Like a prisoner in my own home, food was left at the top step and surprisingly enough, my family never tested positive.

The hardest part for many during this pandemic is the mental aspect. While I’d certainly consider myself an introvert, I want to emphasize the importance of social connection throughout all this. Whether it’s through Zoom or a socially-distanced walk, this can work wonders for our mental health.

Another thing I would highly recommend is to limit your consumption of news (except for the Left Hand Valley Courier, of course). We are constantly bombarded with death tolls and doomsday rhetoric; we will get through this. Our bodies are already under enough mental stress and this can only harm your immune system.

As perhaps further lockdowns are approaching, I want to reiterate the importance of keeping your mind and body healthy. You can either let this rough time control you, or you can use it as an opportunity to better yourself. This is a wake up call to get in shape and recognize that this pandemic will eventually end.