I’m just at the end of a vile cold. The kind that takes right over and turns you in bedridden ball of snot and coughing and makes you wonder if you could actually die of a cold. You know the kind that just lays you out flat. The cough till you vomit kind. Aren’t you glad I’m sharing this gross stuff with you? It proves that no one is glam when they’re sick! I haven’t been this unwell in years and I forgot how awful it really is.
After a week of feeling sub human, I’m finally starting to feel better. I thought I’d share my tips on how I managed to get through it. We all know the basics of being sick and most people have remedies they swear by. I’m not going to cover that much, you know what to do. But I do have a few ways of making life easier so that you can get on to recovering. Not only have I just been through it but you know how it is at this time of year…..
Stock up on sick supplies
Running out of tissues or panadol is the worst so do a quick shop for essentials. I can’t take many over the counter meds (cold & flu, cough syrup etc) but I grab what I know I can take. Mr Ask does use those things, so if he’s sick too, I’ll grab for him. Always ask the pharmacist to be sure you are taking the right things and that they won’t conflict with anything else you are taking.
I usually have a homemade soup in the freezer but if not, I buy one that has lots of veggies in it. I’m never very hungry when I’m sick but a veggie soup is soothing, easy to prep and is full of good vitamins. The old thing to do for a sore throat was ice cream and other soothing things. The newer medical wisdom is to eat scratchy things that scrape away bacteria in the throat. So grab the ice cream if you fancy it but be sure to get some toast, crackers or garlic bread too.
Basically I grab:
- Pandol, cold & flu etc
- Tissues
- Hand sanitizer
- Glen 20
- Vicks vapor rub
- Soup
- Bread
- Juice
- Any essentials like toilet paper etc that might run out in the next few days.
- And if I’m going to any appointments, I’ll grab those little packs of tissues.
- We have a water cooler but grab bottled water if you need it.
Via
Turn the bedroom into a nest
I know that life will be conducted from bed for a while and I want to get everything set up. I put a new liner in a small bin and put it by the bed to contain those gross tissues. I set up my bedside with tissues, water, meds, hand sanitizer, face moisturizer and lip balm. Of course I find something to watch on tv and have my phone and laptop handy (with chargers!) so that I can attend to anything important. Maybe you want a book or an ipad or an essential oil diffuser or a humidifier. Set up what works for you. And just before I crash, I get any important washing on. I know I’ll be needing plenty or pj’s and sweats!
Via
Don’t forget your meds!
I always use timers/alarms on my phone to remind me of when my next dose is due. It’s really important not to double up or miss doses. My brain is like Swiss cheese when I’m sick, trying to remember the last time I took something and when to take the next lot is too confusing. I need those reminders, especially if I have antibiotics that are to be taken three times a day. Reminders are a godsend!
Via
Keep hydrated
I always have a bottle of water and make sure to sip on it. Your body really needs those fluids. All that sweating and snoting and mouth breathing takes it out of you. So keep up the water. I always think a good juice, something fresh and full of goodness, is helpful too. You’re already drinking, you might as well get some extra vitamins in. People are always keen on the tea with lemon and honey, especially for a cough. I make mine with maple syrup (I’m allergic to honey) and science has proven that will work too. I find I get more benefit out of peppermint tea (T2 for life). The mint helps clear the nose and soothes a cough. Mr Ask likes his Buttermenthol drink. Either way, just get those fluids in! I can’t live without a good face moisturizer for my dry skin. I put a thin layer of this amazing balm all over my face at least once a day and repeatedly put it on my nose area to soothe and hydrate. It comes in pot and I don’t want to spread my germs, so I either sanitize my hand or use a clean spatula to scoop some out onto the back of my hand and use it from there. I also load my lips up with lip balm.
Via
Going out into the world
I had two important meetings I could not miss. Leaving bed was hard and I looked like death itself. To try and bring life to my face, I put on moisturizer and a brightening primer (Benefit That Gal). With all the nose blowing, foundation seemed pointless so I put a generous amount of concealer under my eyes (Maybelline Fit Me in 20) and blended it into the primer in the centre on my face. I powdered (Maybelline Fit Me in 120), added blush to perk me up (The Balm Hot Mama) and a little highlight to make me look brightened (The Balm Mary Lou). I finished with waterproof mascara (watery eyes) and a Revlon Balm Stain because it’s comfortable, long lasting and nothing picks you up like a bright lip.
I took tissues and hand sanitizer with me and was sure to cough into my elbow. Not the hand, the elbow – that’s the new ‘right way’. I used the hand sanitizer regularly and offered it to others in the meeting. I also took my used tissues with me in a snap lock in my bag. People really don’t like your germy tissues in their office bin. If I must be out in the world, I should at least try not infect everyone!
Doctor, Doctor, give me the news
I knew I had a horrible virus and that antibiotics don’t help viruses. I also didn’t need a medical certificate for work. So I didn’t bother with a doctor at first. Until I got to the point where I coughed till I vomited. I had whooping cough (pertussis) a few years ago and I wasn’t keen to go through that again. It was fairly late in the evening, so I called the 13 SICK service. If you’re not familiar, it’s a bulk billed doctor that comes to you home in the evenings/nights. Great service, they even have an app! He confirmed that it was a virus and gave me something for the cough. Always see a doctor if you need one!
Via
Pet therapy
In the Ask family, some are dog people and some are cat people. But nothing is a better, all purpose healer than some snuggle time with your pet. I had a marvelous nap with Mr Pyjamas. He curled up and let me spoon him, with my arms right around him. He stayed that way until we woke up together. It was an island of happiness and joy in my unrelenting sick. Doris almost never left my side, the dear girl. If you can, get some furry snuggle time, there are proven health benefits and it does feel good. I laughed at the pic above because I always get Mr Ask to bring me a cat when I feel bad and I very much enjoy making pathetic noises.
Via
Be kind to you
I have to admit that I was so sick for the first four days, I really didn’t care what was happening in the world. I was in my own bubble of ill. But then I started to panic about all the things I needed to do. I had to give myself a stern talking to and remind myself that the world would get on without me. Rest is the best cure and yet we are so loathe to give it to ourselves. So be kind to yourself! Reschedule, delegate and rest.
When I worked in a busy office, I always got whatever lurgy was doing the rounds and I never took long enough off work to get properly well. Which meant I got the next thing and the next thing. Since I stopped work, I am hardly ever ill and I have learned to rest! When I do rest properly, I get better much more quickly. Do your best to get at least a couple of days of solid resting in and you’ll be conquering the world in no time! In the meantime, here are some pics of cats about to sneeze …
Via
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