Chris’s story told from a clinical perspective
Background
Chris experienced an infection which was likely to be Covid-19 for a second time in December 2023. He stopped work in March 2022.
Job: Regional Sales Manager.
Symptoms included fatigue, breathlessness, cough, brain fog and severe sleep disturbance.
Programme included:
Developing skills in fatigue management, including establishing a routine and pacing of activities.
Building a programme of physical activity and exercise.
Developing strategies for managing sleep, including having an increasingly consistent routine.
Reflecting on and responding to setbacks.
Building cognitive capacity.
Supporting a return to work:
Chris started a phased return to work with guidance from Vitality360. In the first instance, time was spent discussing a realistic return to work plan which Chris was encouraged to share with his employer. The first phase of the plan was to work for 4 hours on 3 days per week. The days he started work were Monday, Wednesday and Friday. This gave him an opportunity to rest and reflect on Tuesdays and Thursdays. He then increased the number of hours gradually over time with a longer term goal to work consecutive days.
He noted that he was most productive in the morning and needed to consider how he could maintain his energy levels throughout the day by continuing with regular planned rest breaks. He made a conscious effort to 'switch off' from work on the hours he wasn't working and managed to do this by limiting his access to technology. Chris's job involves some travel (mainly to different parts of the British Isles). He knew that this was something that he would have to build up to and he started his phased return by working from home. However, by the end of the first week he had managed to go into the local office to support an interview process which he felt confident in attending.
By the end of the programme whilst Chris had not quite returned to full time hours and duties he felt confident that with the return to work plan shared with his employer and the support of his team around him he would manage to do this in a realistic timescale.
Outcomes:
The rehabilitation programme was specifically targeted as an Early Intervention one over 8 sessions.
At the end of the programme, Chris was working 12 hours a week and had a plan for how to further increase his hours.
Chris has planned to do a mountaineering trip to the Himalayas in October 2024. This is obviously a physically and mentally challenging goal. By the end of the programme (6 months before his planned trip) he had established and was happy with these three potential outcomes:
1. He would be fully fit and able to complete the climb
2. He would not be fit enough and unable to go to Nepal
3. He would not be able to undertake the full climb but could potentially undertake an alternative route.
Some time was spent discussing setback planning as Chris identified concerns around if he became unwell again or suffered from Covid. By the end of sessions with V360 Chris was confident he had the tools and resources to manage any setback and continue his recovery.
“Chris has engaged in the sessions offering advice on condition management techniques. He has actively applied the strategies that have been discussed and has gradually noticed improvement in his condition.
He has established a good routine and appears confident in maintaining this progress. He has, understandably, some concerns about recurrent infections in the future but he does also have increased awareness and insight which will remain a positive predictor.
Chris is regularly practising relaxation techniques which will continue to help him maintain a suitable balance of ‘rest’ and ‘activity’ going forward.
Chris has good communication skills with all those around him. It is anticipated that Mr Perks will continue to build on recovery strategies and will manage to increase his work and exercise tolerance in due course. If he is continues to apply the helpful strategies he has learnt and is encouraged and supported at a pace that is right for him he will do well.”
And from the Client themselves:
On a scale of 0-10, where 0=don’t agree and 10=very strongly agree, how much would you agree that Vitality360 has supported you to produce unexpected vitality in your life and give you confidence that you will have a healthy future?
10 Charlie really understands the condition and discussed a range of practical methods to support me
Please tell us 3 things that have changed the most since working with us:
Taking time to stop
Being kind to myself through not reverting to type
Body scan.
Please tell us 3 things that we have done that have helped you the most:
Listening to fully understand
Offering practical advice
Helping me set realistic goals.
Please tell us 3 things that have supported you in your preparation for returning to (or remaining in) work?
Encouraging me to be realistic with expectations of myself
A very practical and sustainable return to work plan
Applying the same principles that we had been working on whilst off work