Podcast Episode 176: Long COVID Recovery: Rebuilding Strength, Vitality, and Resilience

So many people who have had COVID are still struggling months or even years later with fatigue, brain fog, shortness of breath, and a body that just will not bounce back. Dr. Holly Carling and Alicia sit down to talk about why recovery takes so long and what the body actually needs to heal.

In this podcast episode, Dr. Holly explains that long COVID recovery is not about chasing a diagnosis. It is about restoring the body’s natural intelligence on multiple levels: nutritional, cellular, nervous system, and emotional. The mitochondria often take the biggest hit after a prolonged illness, and rebuilding those energy systems requires the right fuel, stable routines, and therapies that support the body’s natural rhythms.
Whether you are still struggling with post-viral symptoms or simply want to build better resilience for the future, this episode offers practical, grounded guidance rooted in whole-body healing.

In this episode:

Why the mitochondria are central to fatigue and brain fog after illness, and which foods help recharge them

How gut integrity, protein absorption, healthy fats, and blood sugar stability all play a role in post-viral recovery

How acupuncture helps reset the nervous system, improve circulation, and balance a dysregulated immune response

Why emotional recovery matters just as much as physical recovery, and how to rebuild resilience through routine, movement, and nervous system support

Picture of Dr. Holly Carling

Dr. Holly Carling

Dr. Holly Carling is a Doctor of Oriental Medicine, Licensed Acupuncturist, Doctor of Naturopathy, Clinical Nutritionist and Master Herbologist with nearly four decades of experience. Dr. Carling is a “Health Detective,” she looks beyond your symptom picture and investigates WHY you are experiencing your symptoms in the first place. Dr. Carling considers herself a “professional student” – she has attended more than 600 post-secondary education courses related to health and healing. Dr. Carling gives lectures here in the U.S. and internationally and has been noted as the “Doctor’s Doctor”. When other healthcare practitioners hit a roadblock when treating their patients nutritionally, Dr. Carling is who they call. Dr. Carling is currently accepting new patients and offers natural health care services and whole food nutritional supplements in her Coeur d’ Alene clinic.

Medical/Health Disclaimer:

The information provided in this article or podcast should not be construed as personal medical advice or instruction. No action should be taken based solely on the contents of this article or podcast. Readers/listeners should consult appropriate health professionals on any matter relating to their health and well-being. The information and opinions provided here are believed to be accurate and sound, based on the best judgment available to the author, but readers/listeners who fail to consult appropriate health authorities assume the risk of any injuries.

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