Since my last post, I have come down with a nasty cold. When it rains, it pours! I like to make an extra effort to take good care of myself when I feel sick. When your immune system is fighting hard for you, it’s important to make sure you properly care for yourself. Especially if you live alone & away from friends and family as I do- there isn’t anyone around to play nurse! Keep reading for some of the things I do when I’m sick to promote a quick recovery!
STAY HYDRATED
I always keep plenty of liquids within reach when I have to take a sick day- whether it’s water, tea, juice, or all three! The more liquids the better!
TAKE OR EAT VITAMIN C
I take a bunch of vitamins and supplements daily, so when I’m feeling sick like I have been lately, I like to add more foods, like fruits, rich in vitamin C to boost my immune system!
STRETCH
I don’t know about you, but when I’m sick, I usually spend a lot of my time lounging around or curled up. Deviating from my normally active lifestyle combined with inflammation from being sick often leads to body aches for me. Doing stretches that require minimal effort usually makes me feel a little less ache-y and fatigued when I’m down and out with a cold!
SLEEP!!!!
I usually sleep around 8–9 hours a night, but if I am sick I aim for a minimum of 10 hours- if not asleep, then at least horizontal in bed. I tend to need to consciously remind myself to rest, so making sure I get enough sleep is a big one for me! Taking a nap when sick never hurts either!
SUNSHINE + FRESH AIR
This list item’s efficacy is anecdotal at best- but I always seem to recover from illness faster if I spend some time in the sunshine and breathe fresh air! In the colder months and when I’m feeling really sick, I’ll just open up my curtains and crack a couple windows. If I’m feeling up to it, I’ll try to sit outside somewhere near home for just a little while, letting the sunshine and fresh air heal me from the inside out.
I had to call out sick from work today, so I’m spending my day practicing all the things on this list. Let’s hope for a speedy recovery! Let me know below what helps you recover when you feel under the weather- maybe I’ll try it out!
