What Are the 12 Symptoms of Long COVID (and How to Treat Them)?
Long COVID is tricky. If you’re still dealing with weird, lingering symptoms weeks or even months after having COVID, you’re not alone. A lot of people—sometimes called COVID long haulers—find that their bodies just don’t feel the same after infection. Maybe you’re exhausted all the time, your brain feels foggy, or your heart races for no reason.
So what’s going on? And more importantly—what can you do about it?
Let’s go over 12 of the most common Long COVID symptoms and some natural ways to support your recovery.
1. Fatigue That Won’t Go Away
This isn’t just feeling a little tired—it’s next-level exhaustion. The kind that makes it hard to get out of bed, let alone function normally.
What Helps?
Focusing on mitochondrial support (that’s your body’s energy factory) is key. That means:
Eating nutrient-dense foods that fuel your cells
Taking it easy with gentle movement instead of pushing through
Prioritizing deep, restorative sleep
2. Brain Fog (a.k.a. “COVID Brain”)
If you’re forgetting words mid-sentence or staring at your to-do list like it’s in another language, you’re not imagining it. Brain fog after COVID is real.
What Helps?
Getting quality sleep (not just hours, but deep, refreshing sleep)
Eating brain-nourishing foods like healthy fats and antioxidants
Reducing inflammation with natural supplements like curcumin and omega-3s
3. Achy Joints and Muscles
If your body feels sore like you ran a marathon (but, let’s be real, you didn’t), Long COVID might be triggering systemic inflammation.
What Helps?
Taking anti-inflammatory supplements like quercetin and magnesium
Moving gently—yoga, stretching, or even light walking
Supporting detox pathways (hello, Epsom salt baths!)
4. Headaches That Just Won’t Quit
Long COVID headaches can feel different for everyone—some get migraines, others feel a constant dull ache.
What Helps?
Hydrating like crazy—dehydration makes headaches worse
Using electrolytes to balance minerals
Identifying triggers like food sensitivities, stress, or poor sleep
5. Sleep Issues (a.k.a. Why Am I Wide Awake at 2 AM?)
For some people, Long COVID completely throws off sleep. Maybe you can’t fall asleep, or you wake up feeling wired but exhausted.
What Helps?
Sticking to a consistent nighttime routine
Taking sleep-supporting nutrients like magnesium and glycine
Turning off screens at least an hour before bed
6. Dizziness or Feeling Lightheaded
If you stand up and suddenly feel off balance or woozy, Long COVID might be affecting your autonomic nervous system.
What Helps?
Hydrating and adding electrolytes
Wearing compression socks if blood pressure is fluctuating
Doing slow, intentional movements to avoid sudden drops in blood pressure
7. Heart Palpitations or Racing Heart
It’s unsettling, but many COVID long haulers deal with random heart palpitations or an increased heart rate.
What Helps?
Managing stress (easier said than done, I know!)
Supporting the nervous system with deep breathing and adaptogens
Keeping blood sugar balanced to avoid spikes and crashes
8. Gut Problems (Bloating, Constipation, or Diarrhea)
COVID can throw gut health way out of balance, leading to IBS-like symptoms.
What Helps?
Eating a gut-friendly diet with fiber, fermented foods, and probiotics
Reducing inflammatory foods like sugar, gluten, and dairy
Supporting digestion with bitters and digestive enzymes
9. Anxiety and Depression
Long COVID isn’t just physical—it takes a mental and emotional toll too. Many people struggle with increased anxiety, low mood, and even panic attacks.
What Helps?
Moving your body daily (even just a walk outside)
Practicing mindfulness and nervous system regulation
Taking mood-supporting nutrients like vitamin D, magnesium, and omega-3s
10. Shortness of Breath
Feeling like you can’t quite get a full breath, even though your lungs should be fine? Long COVID can mess with lung function, even after the virus is gone.
What Helps?
Practicing breathing exercises to strengthen lung capacity
Using herbs like mullein and ginger to support the respiratory system
Avoiding inflammatory foods that can trigger symptoms
11. Chest Pain or Tightness
Even after testing normal, some people still feel a weird tightness or discomfort in their chest. Inflammation or nervous system dysregulation could be to blame.
What Helps?
Calming the nervous system with deep breathing and gentle movement
Using anti-inflammatory herbs like turmeric and boswellia
Checking in with a doctor if symptoms feel severe
12. Loss of Taste or Smell
Losing your sense of taste or smell is a strange, unsettling symptom that sometimes lasts for months.
What Helps?
Trying olfactory training (yes, sniffing things to retrain your brain!)
Supplementing with zinc and alpha-lipoic acid
Eating flavorful, spicy foods to stimulate the senses
What Causes Long COVID?
So why do some people recover quickly, while others are left struggling for months? The root causes of Long COVID often include:
🔥 Chronic Inflammation – Your immune system stays in “attack mode” long after the virus is gone.
🔋 Mitochondrial Dysfunction – Your cells aren’t producing energy properly.
🧠 Nervous System Dysregulation – Your body is stuck in fight-or-flight mode.
🦠 Reactivated Viruses (like Epstein-Barr Virus/EBV) – Old infections resurface and drain your immune system.
⚖️ Hormonal Dysregulation – COVID impacts cortisol, thyroid hormones, and insulin sensitivity.
By addressing these root causes, you stop just managing symptoms—and actually start healing.
How to Start Healing from Long COVID
If you’re wondering, "What’s the best treatment for Long COVID?"—the answer depends on your unique root causes. Always speak with your own doctor before implementing anything new.
Here are some foundational steps to support recovery:
✔ Supporting mitochondria with CoQ10, PQQ, NAD+, and acetyl-L-carnitine
✔ Reducing inflammation with omega-3s, curcumin, and resveratrol
✔ Rebalancing the nervous system with brain rewiring, cortisol support, and adaptogenic herbs
✔ Healing the gut with gut-supportive herbs
✔ Optimizing sleep with magnesium, melatonin, and blue light reduction
Final Thoughts: Healing from Long COVID
If you’re dealing with Long COVID symptoms, you are not alone, and it’s not “all in your head.” The good news? Your body wants to heal—it just needs the right support.
Healing takes time, but by listening to your body, reducing inflammation, and addressing the root causes, you can start feeling like yourself again.
If you need more support, schedule a free 20 minute discovery call with me so I can learn more about how to best help you find relief from Long COVID.
You’ve got this
