For me, it’s when I feel that little tickle in your throat. Over the years, I’ve learned a few sick tricks. These are what I would consider real-life strategies that fit the prompt for my Where Bloggers Live Group on how I take care of myself when I get sick.
Quote of the day: “Success is not an accident. Success is actually a choice.” Stephen Curry
As someone who likes to be prepared (and who’s learned the hard way that being sick and unprepared is not a good combo), I’ve come to rely on two main habits when it comes to self-care during sick days:
Let’s talk about both, because these are the kind of sick tricks that make all the difference when life hands you the sniffles.
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You know how people make an emergency kit for natural disasters? I think of this as my sick-day survival kit.
We all know that when you’re sick, the last thing you want to do is drag yourself to the store. It’s bad enough when you can barely think straight and your body just wants to curl up in bed. The idea of getting dressed and driving to the store?
Nope. That’s why one of my golden sick tricks is to be prepared before you even need to be.
In our house, I keep a “flu box” (yes, I wrote about it last winter) filled with all the essentials. These include items such as cough lozenges, homeopathic liquids, and our favorite immune boosters.
I consider this box an essential, almost as important as toilet paper.
Pro tip: If you live alone, this is even more important. When you’re under the weather, your brain doesn’t work as smoothly. You don’t think about eating the things to help your body, drinking enough fluids, or even taking your vitamins.
That’s why my second “sub-trick” under this category is to rely on someone else.
Sure, that’s easy when you have a partner living with you, but if you are single, don’t fret. Set up a “Wellness Wingman”. (Isn’t that a cute name?) Or it could be your care companion. I don’t care what you call them, but talk about it with a close friend or neighbor before you need it.
The point is to have a plan in place before you get sick. Whether that person helps by picking up a prescription, grabbing groceries, or just checking in to remind you to drink water and rest, it makes a world of difference.
If you don’t have someone nearby, consider having someone you can trust who is a phone call away. Even though they aren’t nearby, they can order what you need online and check in on you every day to make sure you’re taking care of what needs to be taken care of.
Preparation doesn’t just save time…it saves energy, and that’s the most valuable thing when your body is fighting something off.
Insider tip: I realize that not everyone is as anally organized as I am. In those cases, consider hiring someone to put your “flu box” together and have a system in place.
Here’s where timing becomes everything.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years, it’s that waiting until you’re really sick to start taking care of yourself is like showing up late to your own rescue. Your immune system needs reinforcements as soon as it senses an invader.
That means acting at the very first whisper of, “Hmm, I don’t feel quite right.” You need to give your immune system the support it needs.
If you’re not a science geek, then maybe your knowledge of your immune system needs some Cliff Notes. If so, here they are:
Your immune system is basically your body’s built-in defense team. It’s what protects you from viruses, bacteria, and other germs that try to make you sick. It works around the clock, recognizing invaders and sending out special cells to attack and destroy them.
When you support it with rest, good nutrition, and immune-boosting habits, you’re helping that system stay strong and ready to fight when you need it most.
Because germs are a way of life. Thinking that you will stay away from them is pure silliness. In fact, if there’s one thing I believe in, it’s that we need to be around germs more to help our immune system get strong.
When your immune system gets invaded by germs that it can’t fight, that’s when you get sick.
I always used to tell my patients that their body only has so many soldiers (your immune system) to fight the bad guys (the new germs your body isn’t used to). That’s why you should do everything possible to keep the soldiers rested and healthy.
And try not to make them fight too many battles at once. If you’re dealing with gum disease AND then get a surgery on another part of your body, your immune system can’t win all the wars.
While these are the immune boosters I need, they aren’t the only ones out there. I lean more towards Eastern Medicine in my approach to Health at this stage of the game. I try to stay away from chemicals and preservatives that are more toxic than helpful.
Our personal routine starts with Beekeeper’s Naturals throat spray (also found on Amazon). Rob and I take it daily as part of our wellness habit, but if I even suspect something is brewing, I’ll use it more often. It’s made with propolis (a natural compound bees use to protect their hives from bacteria), and I swear by its immune-supporting benefits.
Pro tip: I bring this along when traveling, also, thanks to my good friend Maureen, who first suggested it. And we haven’t gotten sick when traveling since.
Then I bring in my other powerhouse: colloidal silver. Many companies have this product, so if you are at Sprouts or Whole Foods, check their immune aisle.
Now, if you haven’t heard of it before, silver liquid has been used for centuries as a natural antibiotic. I like to think of it as one of nature’s sick tricks by helping the body fend off germs without harsh side effects. A swig or two a day when you’re feeling run down can help your immune system fight smarter, not harder.
Insider tip: I use the silver gel to help with actinic keratosis…a precursor to skin Cancer. Shared in this post from ages ago.
And finally, I always keep WishGarden’s Kick-Ass Immune tonic in the mix (yes, you can find it on Amazon). The name alone tells you what it’s meant to do! It’s a blend of herbs that gives your body an immediate immune boost. I reach for it the moment I feel that scratchy throat.
Pro Tip: That scratchy throat?? There’s a scientific reason why it starts this way with most people. Don’t ignore it.
Together, these remedies form my trifecta of immune empowerment.
It’s like giving your body a team of superheroes. And I’m not exaggerating.
Now, this one isn’t an official sick trick, but it’s a mindset shift that’s worth mentioning.
For years, I struggled with the idea that I had to “power through” being sick. I thought resting was lazy, or that I’d lose productivity if I took a day off. But the truth? Rest is medicine.
The older and wiser me knows that if your body is asking for rest, that’s exactly what it needs to heal. Curl up with your tea, relax on the couch, or read something light. Give your body permission to slow down.
And if you’ve set yourself up with your stocked “flu box” and your immune boosters ready to go, you can actually rest instead of stressing about what you need to do next.
This isn’t the first time I’ve delved into health and wellness topics. If you would like more information, check out my other articles:
–Best natural health and wellness products
–Natural flu box
–When you’re feeling sick, this is what to take–an old one but still good
Getting sick is never fun, but it doesn’t have to be chaotic.
These simple sick tricks might sound silly, but they’ve saved me more times than I can count.
Taking care of ourselves isn’t just about looking stylish or having great outfits. It’s about feeling good from the inside out.
For those of you who appreciate Western medicine more, there are other options for you:
Zinc: helps immune cells function and heal faster.
Echinacea: thought to reduce the severity or duration of colds.
Vitamin C: supports immune response and overall cell health.
Vitamin D: helps regulate immune cells and keeps your body’s defenses strong.
Elderberry: packed with antioxidants. Beware of some Elderberry supplements, because of their bitter taste; the supplements can be packed with sugar, which inhibits your immune system.
AND that last sentence…read it again. Sugar inhibits your immune system.
Pro Tip: These are vitamins and minerals that we believe are good to take daily, with the exception of Elderberry.
What is Where Bloggers Live?
It’s all kinds of different prompts that started with our homes and have evolved to Behind the Scenes of Life.
Who doesn’t like to peek behind the scenes and hear all about the personal backstories and interesting details? The best part of this group is that I learn something new from everyone’s different perspectives.
FYI, we don’t all post at the same time since we all have different schedules and live in different parts of the world.
Bettye at Fashion Schlub
Daenel at Living Outside the Stacks
Em at Dust and Doghair
Jodie at Jodie’s Touch of Style
Sally at Within a World of My Own
We’ve been doing this fun series for over 5 years now.
Want to explore some of the old prompts? Feel free to visit any that might strike your fancy.
Vacation-Palm Springs
Things I Can’t Live Without
Eco-Friendly Practices
Favorite post –Happy 5 Years
Bedtime Routine
3 Favorite Gifts
Detox your wardrobe
Date night ideas in Phoenix
Spring Cleaning-Laundry Style
180 Degree Journey
What’s In My Bag
Does Makeup Make You Look Better?
How to Survive the Heat
10 Things I Can’t Live Without
The post 2 Sick Tricks: Smart Hack When You Feel That Cold Coming On appeared first on Jodie’s Touch of Style.
