For the past almost week, I have been dealing with, what I actually thought was a sinus infection, but actually turned out to be the dreaded flu. I have literally felt like DEATH. And it has sucked. I really hate being sick... granted I kinda don't know anyone who actually likes it, but for me, it's the worst!
But me, being me, I have decided to take a bad thing and attempt to make it good. Aka... write a how-to blog post about how to get over being sick. So...
one | Stay hydrated. Being sick sucks, but that doesn't mean that you have to refuse all substance. Drinking non-carbonated beverages like water, tea, and Gatorade are good for you and if you have some type of sinus thing going on, staying hydrated can actually help thin the mucus that is preventing you from breathing.
two | Take a shower. Sure, it may feel like the Grim Reaper has you in his sights, but c'mon, do you really think he deserves to be met by a stink? Not really his thing (I'm guessing). Anyways, taking a shower can help you feel better, like it did for me, but at the very least, your loved ones will thank you for it.
three | Add in some medication. For the flu, there really isn't a magic pill to make it go away, but there are some over the counter medications you can take to at least manage your issues... Ibuprofen helps with the aches and pains, Afrin can help with that nasty sinus congestion (but it's only recommended for 3 days at a time), saline spray also helps with the sinus, and cough drops can soothe a sore throat. *Also petroleum jelly can help with the upper lip area and menthol chest rub can help with a cough.
four | Lip balm is essential. Let me tell ya, sinus congestion + having to breathe through your mouth can make for some pretty dry lips. Find a non-minty lip balm (mint tends to dry out lips), and make it your BFF.
five | Use a cool mist humidifier. A humidifier helps put moisture in the air and will help you breathe better. Plus the nice humming sound can soothe you to sleep.
six | Menthol tissues are the bomb. Yes it sounds a bit funny, but I swear that the menthol tissues I used for three days helped open up my sinus cavities. If you are not partial to the menthol ones, please for the sake of you nose, just invest in some tissues with lotion. You will thank me later.
seven | Take some time off work. Sure it may sound impossible, but if you are sick as a dog, try to take a sick day. Yes, I am talking to those Type A people. It's ok to take ONE day. Sure you may need more, but at least take one. And if you are a parent, try and see if someone can take your little one for the day/night. You don't want to get them sick. At the very least, use some hand sanitizer when you are around the little germ factory. :)
eight | Rest is essential. Rest is good for the body, because as the saying goes, the body heals itself with sleep.
nine | Surround yourself with a favorite blanket. Sure, it may sound childish, but when you are sick, it's ok to tap into your inner child and snuggle up in your pjs and a warm blanket. It will help you feel better in the long run, and if it doesn't, at least it will help you sweat out that fever you have brewing.
ten | If all else fails, dust some translucent powder on your face. Just because you feel like death, doesn't mean that you have to look like it too. If you are going out, aka going to work or running to the store for some soup, skip the full face get up, and just use translucent powder and mascara; the powder will add color to your pale face and cover up the redness from blowing your nose too much. At the very least, when you look in the mirror, you won't feel sorry for yourself.
Being sick is no fun, but those ten ways could just make you start to feel better in half the time.
five | Use a cool mist humidifier. A humidifier helps put moisture in the air and will help you breathe better. Plus the nice humming sound can soothe you to sleep.
six | Menthol tissues are the bomb. Yes it sounds a bit funny, but I swear that the menthol tissues I used for three days helped open up my sinus cavities. If you are not partial to the menthol ones, please for the sake of you nose, just invest in some tissues with lotion. You will thank me later.
seven | Take some time off work. Sure it may sound impossible, but if you are sick as a dog, try to take a sick day. Yes, I am talking to those Type A people. It's ok to take ONE day. Sure you may need more, but at least take one. And if you are a parent, try and see if someone can take your little one for the day/night. You don't want to get them sick. At the very least, use some hand sanitizer when you are around the little germ factory. :)
eight | Rest is essential. Rest is good for the body, because as the saying goes, the body heals itself with sleep.
nine | Surround yourself with a favorite blanket. Sure, it may sound childish, but when you are sick, it's ok to tap into your inner child and snuggle up in your pjs and a warm blanket. It will help you feel better in the long run, and if it doesn't, at least it will help you sweat out that fever you have brewing.
ten | If all else fails, dust some translucent powder on your face. Just because you feel like death, doesn't mean that you have to look like it too. If you are going out, aka going to work or running to the store for some soup, skip the full face get up, and just use translucent powder and mascara; the powder will add color to your pale face and cover up the redness from blowing your nose too much. At the very least, when you look in the mirror, you won't feel sorry for yourself.
Being sick is no fun, but those ten ways could just make you start to feel better in half the time.
Have you ever had the flu?
How did you make yourself feel better?
I love my humidifier when ill. I have not been sick in a long time, but especially for sore throats, the humidifier is the best!
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of methanol tissues! I'll have to check those out!
ReplyDeleteUsing it really helped my sinuses. :)
ReplyDelete