Going back to work with long Covid symptoms

When returning to work with post-Covid syndrome, you should recognise and respect your own physical and mental limits. — dpa

Returning to work after a Covid-19 infection can be challenging when you are suffering from its long-term effects.

In this case, it’s important to talk about and respect your own limits, say experts.

A SARS-CoV-2 viral infection can have long-term effects, variously called “long Covid” or post-Covid syndrome.

They’re physical and/or mental symptoms that persist for more than four weeks after diagnosis with the disease.

They can include fatigue, concentration difficulties or other cognitive impairments, gastrointestinal complaints and dizziness.

Such long-term effects can complicate your return to work, according to German health and safety inspection agency Tüv Rheinland.

If you go back to work with long Covid symptoms, you may have to take it easy or shift the focus of your activities, the agency says.

The most important thing is to not demand too much of yourself, which can be difficult for performance-orientated employees.

Tüv Rheinland recommends practising stress-management strategies to better cope with the workload.

The key, the experts say, is to reflect on your attitude toward job performance so that you can recognise your limits and accept them.

In addition, breathing, concentration and mindfulness exercises, as well as meditation, physiotherapy and exercise, can help to alleviate the lingering effects of Covid-19.

An interdisciplinary approach and therapeutic assistance may often be necessary.

Affected persons’ supervisors and employers have an important role to play too.

Tüv Rheinland psychologist Iris Dohmen advises managers to have an open and constructive conversation with employees upon their return to determine what tasks they’re able to handle well following their infection. – dpa