5 Self Care Ideas for When You Are Sick
This is especially true when you get sick. I've spent the better part of the week trying to turn the corner with my strep and sinus infections, which seems like to no avail, but I did wake up with a jot more energy this morning. I feel the light is at the end of the tunnel soon.
I've worked, literally, worked at getting better as fast as I can, so here is some of the self care ideas I put into practice.
Lemongrass is a natural anti-inflammatory and epsom salt relaxes your muscles helping with those body aches and pains. Also, if you are like me you slow down from your normal routine and almost round yourself into a ball just because you are not feeling good. Let your muscles unwind, let the warm to hot water help sweat out your toxins, and let the lemongrass relax your muscles and open your airways.
Make sure you set a 20 minute timer so you don't spend to long in the bath and overheat your body. If you are running a fever, do this with caution.
It's good to drink a lot of water when you are sick. I however find it easier to drink hot water. I tend to get congested right at the top of my chest, bottom of my throat area, and cold water (in the winter) just seems to keep me congested. Ugh! However, hot, just before boiling, water with a slice of ginger and a squeeze of lemon is amazing and I could drink it all day long. The hot liquid seems to keep my congestion loose which is what I definitely need.
I also have a tisane that I drink when I'm sick so look for that recipe Friday.
This is also a nice soothing go to. You're sick, you've got the chills, and you're trying to cough up the crud in your chest. Similar to the Hot Lemon water above, take a rice pack and microwave it and place on your chest. No rice pack? Dampen a washcloth and put it on your chest with a heating pad on top. This drives away your chills and also helps to loosen the congestion. I also like to pair this with DoTerra's Breathe if I have chest and nasal congestion.
4. Watch Somthing Funny
Being sick sucks so after your warm bath, and you've got your hot water and heating pad set up, put something funny on TV. Now is not the time to catch up on The Handmaid's Tale. While compelling that show is depressing AF. Nope. This is when you need your funny go-tos like, New Girl, How I Met Your Mother, Parks & Rec, The Office, or Brooklyn 99. Whatever makes you laugh consistantly, that's what you need to watch to release those endorphins that will help your healing.
Ok, so I'm really talking about a nap here but let's be honest, napping is hard. It's also hard when your throat hurts and you can't breathe. However, you need to rest so at some point turn off the TV, go into your bedroom and shut out all distractions. Put some soft music on, if you have Headspace put on their Doze section, and lay down. Just close your eyes and focus on your breathing. Best case senario you do actually fall asleep. Worst case senario, you rested by engaging your entire body just by laying fully down and closing your eyes for 15 minutes.
Hope these ideas help and if you have your own self care ideas, leave a note in the comments!
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