10 Self-Care Tips for When You’re Starting to Get Sick
Ah-CHOO! Ugh. Sorry.
On average, each person you know will find themselves find sniffling and sneezing due to common seasonal illnesses between 2 and 3 times every year.
Perhaps the most unfortunate thing about a pesky seasonal sickness is that there are actually several steps you can take to prevent these illnesses from ever striking in the first place–but the good news is that, as the first symptoms are setting in, there are still steps you can take to pull away from those sniffles.
If you feel yourself starting to get sick, try these 10 tips to help stop your symptoms in their tracks!
1. Wash Your Hands
Sniffling? Before anything else, stop what you’re doing–don’t touch anything you don’t need to–and wash your hands.
You should already be washing your hands several times a day, but this tip becomes extra-crucial when you’ve got a little tickle in your throat. On an average day, you’ve got loads of germs crawling on your hands; when you’re sick you’ve got even more.
Wash after you sneeze, if you touch your face–or if it’s just been a little while since you last washed!
2. Clean Your House
Okay, yeah, so the last thing you’ll probably want to do if you feel yourself getting sick is to spend the afternoon scrubbing your house clean. But if you can make it happen, cleaning your house can be just the thing you need to stop the germs right in their tracks!
This tip works double-duty: it pushes you to scrub germy surfaces clean and remove things like mold and trash that may be contributing to your symptoms–and it gets your house organized so you can rest easy without worrying about clutter as you’re napping and recovering.
It may seem like a terribly unappealing idea, but trust us. Get cleaning!
3. Get Outside
We know– this is another funny tip! If you’re feeling icky, shouldn’t you be staying indoors…?
Actually, no! Especially in the winter, stale indoor air can be a big contributing factor to sickness and an overall feeling of “Bleh.” Stepping outside for some fresh air, however, could be just the thing you need to feel rejuvenated, to have your sinuses open back up, and to feel a little more like yourself!
Even if it’s just for a few minutes, spend a little time outdoors next time you sneeze a few too many times in a row.
4. Drink Up
You get your recommended 8 glasses of water every single day, right? (Right?!) Well, when you’re getting sick, staying hydrated is extra important.
Keeping yourself hydrated means your body never has to panic because it doesn’t have enough fluids. It means you won’t start feeling worse because you’ve lost fluids from respiratory issues and wear-and-tear on your body.
Try drinking warm tea, water with lemon, or medicinal drinks like Thera-Flu or Emergen-C. Whatever you choose–bottoms up!
5. Take a Vitamin
Sounds easy, huh? Because it is!
One of the best ways to catch a bout of sickness in the onset is to intercept with anti-germ-fighting-technologies…AKA, vitamins.
You should be in the habit of taking a daily vitamin, but when you feel yourself getting sick, you’ll want to double down with some extra vitamin-C and multivitamins to boost your immune system. Get them in pill form or through fresh fruits and veggies!
6. Take a Break
One of the most central reasons people start to feel a little under the weather in the midst of busy seasons is that they’re simply working too hard–they aren’t allowing their body enough time to recuperate from long days and stressful tasks.
If you feel a sickness coming on, it’s important to take a break. Cancel your after-work plans and take things easy instead.
If your immune system is struggling, pushing it harder isn’t any way to get it back in shape! Step back, sit down, and take a break.
7. Get Diffusing
Speaking of breaks: a great way to relax and soothe early symptoms of a cold, flu, or other under-the-weather symptoms is to plug in your diffuser while you take some time to chill out.
Diffusing essential oils like eucalyptus and peppermint smells great. Even beyond that, it can help soothe symptoms like sore throats and headaches.
While you’re taking a break from life, plug in your diffuser and get breathing some soothing oils. They’ll help you relax, and they’ll help manage those annoying symptoms.
8. Step Away from Screens
This tip may seem a little…odd. But hear us out!
Too much time spent staring at screens causes serious strain on your eyes. If you’re on the brink of coming down with something, further straining your eyes and mind will only add to your symptoms.
If your eyes feel tired, it’s because they are. Further straining them will lead to headaches and an even worse crummy feeling overall. Give your eyes a break–the rest of your body will thank you, too.
9. Have a Nap
Okay, finally–getting to the good stuff!
If you’re feeling like you might soon be joining the ranks of the snifflers, one of the best things you can do for yourself is to lie down and nap. This gives your body the time it needs to work on itself, giving priority to your immune system and helping you get better while you snooze.
And anyway; you’ve already got your bed made, your oils diffusing, you screens shut off…you’re getting very…sleepy…
10. See a Doctor
The fact is, there’s never a good time to be sick. There’s also no surefire home-care-routine that’ll guarantee you never do!
If you think you feel yourself coming down with something, one of the best self-care moves you can make is to head to your regular doctor or local urgent care center for attention. Your doctor may provide antibiotics or other preventative care methods to help you through the coming sniffly days.
If you’re starting to feel a little under the weather, take some time to learn more about how urgent care and doctor services can get you feeling better in no time!
Want More Tips on What to do if You’re Starting to Get Sick?
Standing on the brink of a seasonal sickness can make for a chaotic and stressful time. But knowing how to handle your health as you feel yourself starting to get sick can be just the thing you need to maintain your sanity as you recover your health!
For more self-care tips and info to help you love yourself more, check out our page!