You have a cold. Well, not just a cold, but the cold. The cold that puts other colds to shame. You have never truly sneezed until this cold came into your life. And so you have hit the snooze button on your phone about ten times. You must decide whether dealing with the day in front of you is doable or not. In light of this cold being the cold and not just a cold, you turn off your alarm for good and decide to stay home for the day. Here is what you can spend your sick day doing:
1. Sleep.
Sleep until sleeping feels like your natural state of being, and then sleep some more. You deserve it, and chances are you are still overdue for sleep from that one time two weeks ago when you stayed up all night studying for an exam that you still shudder at the thought of.
2. Make a pillow fort.
Make a pillow fort and sleep in it. This may seem like a way to make sleeping during the day even less socially acceptable, but trust me; you will dream of sugar plums and fairies. Maybe ask the fairies to make your cold go away, while you’re at it.
3. Drink tea.
Drink the type of tea that will still let you sleep. I recommend a soothing cup of mint tea with honey and a nap right after. Generally, I only ever drink tea while I am on the run. Tea is my caffeinated public transit buddy, but decaffeinated tea needs some love too. Take a moment to actually sit down and enjoy the cup of tea.
4. Meditate.
This meditation may take the form of sleep. Often a good case of the cold causes me to turn into a grumpy monster. I sniffle and snort in outrage. But, with hindsight, I can usually identify that my poorly adjusted mood stemmed from not fully understanding that I was sick. Take a moment to recognize how your body is feeling so that you can nurse yourself back to health rather than just sitting in a hole of denial, frustration, and self pity. Then sleep.
5. Watch The Price is Right.
When I say “watch”, I mean turn on the television, wrap your blankets around yourself until you feel like a human burrito, flop on the couch, and sleep to the voice of Bob Barker (hopefully you can find some nice reruns; if not, then Drew Carey) telling you to get your pet spayed or neutered. What could be more soothing?
6. Sleep more.
You just woke up and decided to call in sick today? WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE? YOU SHOULD BE ASLEEP!