With all of the sickness going around on campus, sick days are pretty much inevitable at this point. Even though sick days can be pretty miserable, there are some steps you can take to make the most of them and be on your way to feeling better fast!
1. Drink lots of fluids. When you’re sick, it is essential that you stay hydrated. Drinking things like tea, water, orange juice, Gatorade, Pedialyte and other things infused with electrolytes will help your body recover. If you have the nasty stomach bug going around and can’t quite stomach some of these drinks, at least try sucking on ice cubes to get some fluids in you.
2. Take a hot shower. While the last thing you want to do might be to shower, a hot shower will help loosen up your sinuses and chest if you have a cold. If you’re feeling achy with flu like symptoms, it will also help ease your muscles.
3. Make sure to eat. Even if you don’t have much of an appetite, try to make sure you’re eating small snacks to keep your energy up. For a sore throat, soup is always a good go-to meal. For a stomach bug, eat Saltines, or stick to the BRAT diet: bananas, rice, applesauce and toast. Just try to avoid sugary foods as they will not help your body to heal.
4. Take regular naps. This is a no-brainer, but oftentimes the best way to feel better is to catch up on sleep. It isn’t a great idea to sleep the day away, but certainly make sure you’re getting the rest your body needs.
5. Keep everything you need by your side at all times. Chances are you’ll want to stay in your bed or on the couch for most of the day, so gather everything you might need and have it close by so you won’t have to keep getting up. This includes tissues, cough drops, drinks, food, your computer, etc.
6. Be respectful of you roommates/suitemates/housemates and quarantine yourself if need be. The last thing you want is to get everyone you live with sick! Even though you’re feeling crummy, try to be aware of the people you live with and do your best not to spread your germs around the living space.
Here’s to hoping you stay healthy, collegiettes!