Post
by Savannah » Thu Oct 01, 2015 2:28 pm
Immense amounts of dust +
sleep deprivation +
pathogens you don't normally encounter due to either a smaller or vastly different population +
the virtually inevitable let-down of decompression +
the Autumnal ebbing of sunlight
=
SICKNESS
* If you are feeling shitty way more than average, and it is affecting your breathing, heart rate, or you're bleeding out both your ears or similar, call 911.
* If you are average (or more) levels of sick for 3 weeks . . . see a doc, you might need antibiotics.
* If you were a virgin and feel like ass, but aren't particularly sick--just blue, and discombobulated and pissy = this is called "Decompression" (or occasionally: Dashed Expectations). Decompression happens to many a Burner, and the harder and more arduous the Burn, the harder it can hit, especially if the legend didn't measure up to the experience. The wind and dust and cold of 2015 represent a variety of authentic playa experience that folks in the last 4+ years have been largely spared. If you maintained your sense of humor for most of it, KUDOS! You are made of tough stuff, and should consider returning. You should also look up Burners and regional events for your location and commiserate with people who understand.
* If you're fine but your voice is still trashed, do shots of lemon juice several times daily, and make hot tea with honey at least twice a day. Did anyone tell you to stop hydrating? No? Keep going.
* Google vitamin D deficiency, and consider taking some daily in the Autumn/Winter (but don't take any wisdom from a site selling it). I take a lot of it, because the Pacific Northwest is a Vitamin D Deadzone, starting . . . now.
. . . I am subject to playa throat like crazy, and usually lose my voice by the end of the week.
As usual, my voice was indeed affected. However, this year I did shots of lemon several times a day, and left the playa with my voice at 70% instead of 20%. Quite an improvement! I did not quite use the intensive regimen that Gaminwench uses (hers involves more tea, etc, while still on playa) but I credit her on-playa activities and her advice here with motivating me to realize I could do a lot better by my voice than I have in the past. Thank you, Gaminwench!
*** 2018 Survival Guide ***
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