During this past weekend, I received my second dose of the Pfizer vaccine and like many of you, I was hit with a few of the side effects. Within the first 24 hours, I was dealing with body aches, a headache, and chills. After getting over my stubbornness and taking some Advil, I ended up feeling a lot better! All of those side effects slowly went away and the only thing that I am struggling with right now is some slight drowsiness.
Based on my experiences, here are some of the things that I did to help:
1. Hydrate
Staying hydrated has probably been the most popular advice anyone has ever given me, both before AND after getting the vaccine. With that in mind, it was something I definitely tried to do for sure, especially as I was recovering.
2. Take Advil or Tylenol (if needed).
I admit I tried to avoid taking Advil and Tylenol. I thought I could push through the pain and tiredness without taking any of that. But wow. After taking Advil and then taking another nap, I felt almost as good as new! Of course, I still felt a bit exhausted and had a slight headache, but it was a lot more manageable.
3. Listen to your body and rest.
Listening to your body is so important, and one of the best things to do for your body during this time is to let it rest. Allowing myself to relax during these last couple of days has definitely made a huge difference. I don’t think I have ever slept as long as I did or have taken as many naps as I did ever before, but it was completely worth it!
4. Move Around (when/if you can)
When I was struggling with body aches, walking around seemed to be one of the few things that really seemed to help. Sitting and laying down seemed to make my body feel even sorer after a little while. So, I pushed myself and did simple things like get up and walk to the kitchen to get water or go outside to get some fresh air. Doing small things like this did help for a little bit. However, if you feel unable to move around, then don’t and just let yourself rest.
Disclaimer: I am not a professional. This article is about the things that I did during my recovery that seemed to help me. If there are any extreme concerns or side effects, then please contact a medical professional immediately. Also, please be aware that not everyone will react to the vaccine the same way. So, it is important to listen to your body and cater to its own needs accordingly.