Flu, gastro, ear infections, and chesty coughs are some of the most common reasons people need a week off work. While they aren’t typically serious illnesses, they seem to knock many folks flat on their backs. If this sounds familiar, you likely feel unable to carry on with the simplest of daily tasks. The chances are good that all you want to do is curl up on the sofa under a blanket and watch some daytime TV. But there are things you can do to help get through this period of discomfort and back to the world of healthy living. Here are five straightforward strategies to try:
1. Take your prescribed medicine
If your GP has prescribed an antibiotic, inhaler, or something else to ease your symptoms, then take it. Having to take pills isn’t fun but if you have an infection, it’s probably a good idea to go with it. Your doctor has the training and experience to know that.
Find a good local pharmacy like the one at www.sablepharmacy.com with staff who can help to check that you’re taking the medicines correctly. Pick up menthol or eucalyptus oils to help clear your nose if it’s stuffy too.
2. Not feeling well? Eat to boost your immune system
There are foods for every occasion! You might already be a big fan of kiwi for glowing skin, for example. Plant-based foods can also boost your immune system and help you overcome your illnesses more quickly. Look for fruits or vegetables rich in vitamin C to combat colds, like sweet potato.
A spicy curry with Cayenne might be ideal for helping to relieve all the mucus from your chesty cough. If you have a runny nose or phlegm, increase your intake of water a little to thin it, and replace lost fluids.
Find out more about your immune system in this guide.
3. Exercise (gently)
Getting out for some fresh air and light walking can help your body combat your illness. If you have a fever, this might not be a good idea, though!
A gentle walk around the park and some select choices of yoga poses can help you overcome the symptoms of your illness. If you have something highly contagious like gastro or flu, avoid public places and move around part of the house instead. Moving the body and breathing fresh air more deeply can help energize your body and boost your circulation.
4. Sleep normally when not feeling well
Getting extra sleep might not be as beneficial as you hoped. But getting quality sleep at the right time of day can be enormously helpful. The deepest part of the sleep cycle is thought to help the body heal and repair itself.
That means getting the hours of sleep you need without interruption could help you overcome a common illness like a cold more quickly than you might otherwise. Don’t let yourself get too warm, and try to wake naturally at your normal time.
5. Activities
When you limit the activities you do because you’re ill, your poor mind will suffer from a lack of stimulation. This can make sleeping harder to do!
So, try to engage in as many different things as possible while at home not feeling well. For example, watch a little TV, read a book, and try a puzzle. You might also catch up on the news online or listen to music.
Beat the boredom to get back on track as quickly as you can. Get well soon!
Helpful content, so clearly presented. Enjoying your blog. :)
Good post. This is OK when you’re young, but when you are older, over 65 and fall a lot, I still found one thing I can definitely do. When one of my helpers comes, I can tell her I want to go outside for a walk. (I use a rollator) and I can breath deeply. I have COPD and that will help. Thank you.
So glad you get that fresh air and also time out in nature :)
Great tips, Christy; here’s one more: when I feel a cold coming on, I reach for extra vitamin C. There are supplements you can use for this like emergen-C, but I prefer a glass of orange juice. It boosts your immunity to help you resist getting sick and get better sooner, as well as offering hydration and helping to break through the phlegm.
Great addition here, Amy! Your comments are most generous xx
I know when I’m sick the last thing I want to do is move . I’ve learned through my children’s illnesses that the illness will go away faster if I keep moving. This is especially true with mucus it quickly becomes pneumonia if it settles into your chest .
Your comment makes me happy because you’re listening to your body and what works for you. Yay!!
Great, mention in this weeks digital
Thank you kindly!
Great information, Christy, though I have to agree with Shehanne. I hate being sick.
Same here. I tend to be go-go-go so feeling less than optimal is no-no-no :(
HUGS!
A pillow to stick on one’s head and die underneath is a good thing xxxxxxxxx
Shey, being sick is absolutely no fun! I will fluff your pillow for you :)
Great post and I look for the “natural” way to heal. I do support the need for medication for those times when the body does need a “boost” fighting it off.
It sounds like you have a very good idea of what works for you, Kirt, and that’s reason to smile :) It’s almost Friday!
I am one of those who hate having pills, but feel sometimes something forcing me to have it to support my system immune. But as you said, we can find some vitamins in food to boost our body or else having fruit and vegetables help us to avoid diseases. Thanks for sharing a lovely like this, dear!😊
Yes, those really big pills especially that are tough to swallow are nasty! I’d much prefer to up my Vitamin C levels naturally with oranges and the like. Thanks for your feedback :)
So much good enough to go through natural sources to boost your immune system. 👍👍
Natural, yes! :)
Good information! Good post!
Love your enthusiasm!
Some really useful points and reminders, which we often need when we’re ill because we often somehow forget to be gentle and look after ourselves! Great advice :)
That’s a great point you make about losing our train of thought while being ill. Hugs :)
Some very good advice Christy. An informative post.
Thanks Colline and great to see you :)
When I get sick, I just don’t go to the gym instead of popping pills (except maybe something to help me sleep). It seems like my body takes all that gym energy and routes it into my immune system.
Really helpful. Great post
exercising when you are ill makes body heated and blood flow fast . In fever ; cold or any disease it is said that one should have as much great as possible .
So I think that exercises while illness is not fit .
But please tell me if I am wrong.
I have trouble of horrible migraines at least once a week. I stock up on aspirin more than anything because migraines are the worst. Knocks me out for an entire day if I don’t have any pills. Hate them hate them hate them.
Very useful post. Thanks for sharing :)