Good Bye ICU – TO DOs in the Hospital ICU

डर के आगे जीत है (Darr ke aage jeet hai - There is victory beyond fear)
 

This is the photo after I got discharged after a 17 day hospital stay, out of which 12 were in the ICU.

If ever there is a medical emergency like Covid19 and you are in the ICU or have a loved one in the ICU, here are 10 things that I recommend over & above medical care –

1. Vitamin P for Positivity -Be as positive as you can both at home & at work. Try to have the “Half Glass Full” mentality and if you find it difficult, then just “Fake it till you make it”

2. Music & meditation –Music lightens up the mood & meditation calms you down. I use the Art of Living app, Sattva for meditation & chanting and use Spotify app for music

3. Laughter –Instead of feeling sad about life, it helps to smile & laugh and make others do the same. Watch something funny & make laughing a daily practice

4. Family & Friends -Have daily video calls with friends & family. Meet them, whenever there are visiting hours.

5. Exercise – Working out, even if it is just a walk, releases chemicals that put us in a good mood & take away the fear

6. Life is Good, enjoy it – Do not stop enjoying life. Keep the faith. Remember the 2 words made popular by Sai Baba of Shirdi -श्रद्धा (faith) & सबूरी (patience)

7. Believe in yourself- If affected by COVID or any other severe medical condition, you have to believe that you will get better. It's a lot of mind over body in this game of beating the ailment. Even after getting cured, there is the fear of the after-effects. Go slow & steady on recovery but again believe you will back to normal soon

8. Take care of the Young & Old – Be the anchor of the family. Our children & parents are more vulnerable today after this long COVID saga. They need a lot more support than they seek. Spend more time with them, laugh with them & give them confidence

9. Help others – There are so many people, who are worse off than us. Helping them in any way we can, keeps us occupied, gives us a high & leaves no time to be afraid.

Remember the lines –

“दुनिया में कितना गम है, तेरा गम कितना काम है

दुजे का गम देखा ते, मैं अपना घम भूल गया”

10. Tomorrow will be better - Always tell yourself “This too shall pass” & it will. Bad times & Good times, both do not last. Good days will be back soon

While it is important to not fear hospitalisation, it’s also important to not take it lightly. It can get serious in some cases, like my own COVID saga BUT it’s like any other challenge in life, which can be overcome with effort & help from others

If you need more inputs, then read my story in the COVID DIARIES

https://lnkd.in/dv-d6vJ