Best Things to do When You're Sick

Best Things to do When You're Sick

• Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Being sick sucks. Yeah, I said it. There are a variety of illnesses of course, so symptoms vary. However, the mentality is the same. Wow, I feel rotten. When will this aching go away? Oh my god, the world is spinning & I'm so nauseous. I don't want to eat anything because I know it's not going to stay down. Well, I better just stay by this toilet. I can't remember feeling well; how long has it been? 

I tend to get dramatic when I'm ill simply because I am aware of every second. Each moment of writhing pain seems to last a lifetime. What about that awful gagging as you attempt to make your way to the bathroom? There's hope. It'll go away (generally). And I've got a few ideas & proven methods to make your "adventure" a little better. Here are the best things to do when you're sick & here's to staying healthy, hydrated, & happy! 

Drink water - Please stay hydrated! If your mouth is parched or your urine is smelly or yellow, drink water or eat crushed ice. Be sure to look up symptoms & the best way to deal with them. For example, if you have food poisoning, drinking anything could make your symptoms worse. Ask a doctor or look it up! The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend drinking plenty of water & other clear liquids to prevent fluid loss aka dehydration.

Eat your veggies - Fruits & vegetables carry essential vitamins & minerals. Eat them in order to boost your immunity. Garlic, citrus fruits, red peppers, mushrooms, leafy greens, blueberries, & carrots are especially useful foods to fight colds, according to Health. 

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Call a friend - You may want to deal with this alone, but you shouldn't. If you're truly in bad shape, it's best to have a friend or family member around to ease your stress. They can run downstairs to bring you crushed ice or drive to the store to buy you some electrolyte-rich food or drink. If you're contagious, be extra careful to cover your coughs & sneezes. 

Watch a movie - It's a superb way to waste some time & get your mind off the pain or dizziness. I chose Titanic. Since I've seen it before, I figured I'd just take a nap at some point (the film is over 3 hours long). To my surprise, I watched the entire thing. Then I realized I hadn't thrown up in over 3 hours! Huzzah! Thank you Netflix. Thank you James Cameron, Kate Winslet, & Leonardo Dicaprio.

Rest - Bed rest is your best bet. If you just ran a marathon, would you go workout afterward? Uh, I hope not. If you're strained, stressed or unsettled, don't work harder than your body already is. Chill out, man. That nap may be the answer to your problems.

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Blow your nose - Don't hold it in. It may be loud & embarrassing to sound like an elephant, but you gotta let it out. When you're sick you have increased mucus production as well as congestion, so you'll want to expel them in order to relieve your symptoms, according to WebMD. If necessary, you may want to use a nasal spray. Plus, nobody wants to hear you sniffling all day. Nobody wants to see the snot dripping out of your nose. Grab a tissue, trek to the bathroom, & blow your nose. 

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Take a shower - Sickness can make you feel lethargic, tired, groggy. If you take a shower, you may feel more invigorated. The water pressure can be therapeutic for aches & pains. It doesn't hurt to get squeaky clean. It could be better for you than you thought.

Put on background music - Bust out your favorite record, CD, or radio channel. The tunes can calm you down & ease your spirits. Hearing some nice old Motown jams as you fall in & out of sleep is incredibly comforting. Despite your illness, music is there for you. 

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Being sick is never fun. But these really are some of the best things to do when you're sick. That's why we must try our best to prevent illness in the first place. Wash your hands. Eat healthy. Exercise often. Maintain your health before you get sick. Have a great day & keep those germs at bay!

When was the last time you were sick? Do any of these tips work well for you? Let me know! :D

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