You know that feeling of not wanting to do anything, feeling down, the loss of appetite, moodiness and the eagerness of wanting to get better? Yeah, that’s the sick feeling. You just don’t feel like yourself most of the time and so all you want to do is just lie down and rest even though sometimes it’s hard.
When we feel ill seeing a doctor is a very essential step to recovery but what you do at home (the little changes in your diet and lifestyle) and how you take care of yourself can help you kick start your recovery process and fight the infection.
Now, here are some few tips that might help you feel better in no time.
1. Rest, sleep and avoid stress.
When you are sick the body is trying to fight infection so you can feel better. Therefore, it needs as much energy as it can get. So, take good care of yourself by taking some time off from work, school or any activity/ routine that is stressful. Getting adequate amount of sleep will help you bounce back in no time.
Let your goal be to get about eight to ten hours of sleep per day when you are sick. This helps your body direct energy toward fighting the illness. Make rest your topmost priority.
2. Stay Hydrated
Asides from aiding in digestion and absorption of nutrients, water has a very strong benefit I our overall health. Getting lots of fluids prevents congestion, headaches, fatigue which may occur as a result of dehydration. Avoid caffeinated drinks, coffee, and alcohol, these can make you feel more dehydrated.
According to Michigan State University, “Staying hydrated will helps the kidneys do their job of balancing electrolytes and filtering waste from the body.”
Also, if you are sick and you are sweating a lot, vomiting or having diarrhea, your body is losing fluids. This fluids lost should be replaced by drinking more water, taking warm tea, broth (aka pepper soup) to increase your fluids or incorporating an electrolyte-infused beverage..
3. Treat your symptoms
Most illness gave medications for curing them. So if its something that can be cured using an over-the-counter (OTC) medication, get one and treat your symptom. example, Antihistamine to dry up a runny nose, Pain reliever for fever and achesif the medication dosent help and you still feel worse please see your doctor.
If you require a prescription, see your doctor and explain to him the symptoms you are experiencing and he will run some test and prescribe you the appropriate medication to treat your ailment.
4. Eat chicken soup/ pepper soup:
Research has shown that drinking hot liquids, such as soup, may give you relief from your symptoms for a short time. The steam from chicken soup can help relieve congestion as well as clear throats. Soup also provides fluid, which thins mucus and helps prevent dehydration. So that hot soup given to you by your mom when you are feeling sick is not a waste at all.
Studies has also shown that chicken soup can calm inflammation in your body. This may ease some of your symptoms, such as body aches and stuffiness. What’s more, this meal also has liquid and calories to give your body energy to fight infection.
5. Eat right:
Most times when we are sick, we experience loss of appetite making it hard to eat anything your. Even when you manage to eat, it might be hard to keep it down due to nausea and vomiting but try to take in the necessary nutrient required to fight these infection no matter how little.
Some options include
- Fruits
- Vegetables
- Coconut water
- Honey
- Ginger/ garlic
- Banana
- Oatmeal
- Spicy food.
Therefore, It’s important to eat well most especially when you’re sick. Not eating when you’re sick can inhibit your body’s ability to heal itself. It’s possible you might crave junk foods while you are sick, but they won’t help your body recover fast.
6. Ensure you are comfortable:
This might mean canceling any plans you may have made and letting others (like your parents, family, or work) know that you don’t feel well. Let getting better be your priority. The more time you spend taking care of yourself, the higher the chances that you’ll get well soon. Go wherever you can be comfortable and rest better, it could be your bedroom or living room.
Whatever you need to feel comfortable, keep it handy it could include: Blankets or robes or hoodies to keep warm, a hot/ warm water bottle, books to read or movies to watch, fluids to drink, a bucket (incase you feel nauseous), etc.
Sit back, relax, and stay comfortable.
7. Take a hot shower:
When you shower with hot water, it helps loosen up congestion. The heat can also help relax aching muscles, warm you up when you have chills, help you fall asleep faster, improve circulation and relieve headaches by dilating blood vessels.
8. See a doctor if your symptoms are not improving.
For most symptoms like mild headache, cold and stuffy nose, or some other common illness, you do not need to see a doctor you can get an over the counter medications (OTC).
However, ensure you pay close attention to your symptoms and the duration of your illness. You should seek medical advice if you notice persistent symptoms or if your symptoms begin to get worse.
