One of the most counterintuitive truths about long covid: the struggle against it often makes it worse. Acceptance — clearly misunderstood — is one of the most powerful tools available.
What Acceptance of Long Covid Actually Means
Acceptance does NOT mean:
- Liking or approving of long covid
- Giving up on getting better
- Thinking long covid is okay
Acceptance DOES mean:
- Acknowledging long covid without adding unnecessary struggle against the fact of its existence
- Allowing long covid to be present without fighting it into bigger problems
- Making room for long covid while still living your values
The ACT Approach to Long Covid
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) uses acceptance as a core tool: instead of fighting long covid, you learn to make room for it while committing to valued action regardless.
The Paradox of Accepting Long Covid
Many people find that when they stop fighting long covid and simply allow it, it loses intensity. The suffering of long covid is partly the struggle against it.