Are You Taking Care of Yourself?
It’s common enough to get an irritating cold, or possibly a 24-hour bug, a couple of times of year. But when was the last time you had an illness— the kind that leaves you all too cold or too hot, changing in a matter of minutes? The kind that leaves you dizzy, with a full-body ache that just won’t quit? Those are the illnesses that force you to your bed for a few days. Luckily for you, we have a list of the many things you can do without having to leave your house.
1. Sleep
If you’re so sick you can’t get out of bed, sleep is probably the most important thing to prioritize at this time. Make sure you’re comfortable, and elevate your head if you’re struggling with congestion.
2. Hydrate
Keep your body hydrated with lots of water, electrolyte-based drinks, or herbal tea. This is especially important if you can’t keep food down, as puking can irritate your stomach and throat. It also allows your body to puke something up instead of spitting out bile.
3. Take Medication
Whether it’s a cold and sinus medication or something more serious, medication can help alleviate muscle pain, headaches, or congestion. While most maladies need to run their course, medicine can take the edge off.
4. Catch Up On Your Shows
A sick day is an ideal time to binge all the tv you’ve missed out on, guilt-free. You can easily fly through an Amazon or Netflix limited series, or settle in and knock out a portion of that 14 season, 30 episode long network series from the early 2000s.
5. Journal
With nothing else to do but lay in your bed, you have ample opportunties for introspection. This is a great time to write down any thoughts or feelings that have been rattling around in your brain. Getting your thoughts or feelings down on paper leaves space in your brain to focus on healing and rest.
6. Game
Video games are great, aren’t they? You get a visual and auditory experience while getting to exercise your brain a bit. Play something from start to finish, or continue the tedious, but enjoyable, journey through your open world playthrough.
7. Draw
Express yourself artistically from the comfort of your bed. Whether you prefer a coloring book or drawing something from scratch, putting pencil to paper is a great way to pass the time.
8. Movie Marathon
Just because you’re sick doesn’t mean you can’t have fun. Pick a theme for the day and watch a few movies that are on your Letterboxd watchlist. Trade your popcorn and Coke for saltine crackers and gingerale, and you’ve got an ultimate home theatre experience.
9. Play the Crossword
Puzzle games are a great way to pass the time, and will keep your mind active when your body can’t be. Thousands of crossword, sudoku, or other puzzles of your preference are ready and available to you via your cellular device.
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10. Play On Your Phone
While we don’t recommend scrolling Tik Tok for 10 hours straight, we can’t deny the simplicity of a little bit of phone time. Just make sure to take breaks, for the sake of your eyes alone.
11. Read A Book
Do you have a book (or 10) that you’ve “been meaning to get around to”? Congratulations, you’ve found yourself a day to read your next favorite novel from cover to cover. You also have the moral superioroity to say you read all day instead of rotting in front of a screen.
12. Lay Outside
If you have a yard or a porch, having a bit of time in the fresh air will do you some good. Feel the sun on your face and the wind in your hair, just to remind you the world doesn’t end at your bedroom door.
13. Take A Bath
If you’re blessed with a bathtub in your home, a bath is a great way to clean yourself without standing up for too long. Depending on if you have the shakes or the sweats, your bath can be hot or cold. Give your skin a nice cleanse, change into clean clothes, and tuck yourself back into bed. The hot water can also losen some congestion.
14. Take Up A New Hobby
If you have a ball of yarn or an embrodiery kit lying around that you’ve been “waiting for the right time” to get into, this is the right time. Spend the day mastering the basics of a new skill, and you’ll have something fun and new to enjoy for the rest of your life.
15. Snuggle
Having a furry friend, partner, or close friend to snuggle up with makes anyone feel better. Sure, you might get your human companions sick, but they’ll allow it out of their love for you.
16. Listen To Music
If visuals are too much to bear at a time like this, listening to a music, podcast, or audiobook is a great alternative to tv. Keep the volume down for the sake of your headache-induced brain, and enjoy an auditory experience.
17. Gentle Stretching
Laying in the same five positions isn’t the best for your body. Even if you can’t stand, sitting or propping yourself up and rolling your neck, wrists, and ankles can make sure blood flow is getting to all your limbs properly. Not to mention, it might save you from further muscle tension.
18. Feed Your Body
Maybe you can’t get up and cook a full meal, but something as simple as a meal replacement can give your body the energy it needs to heal properly. This is also a guilt-free opportunity to order delivery, or have someone cook for you if the option is available.
19. Connect With Loved Ones
If you’re not feeling too delierious from your sickness, a text chat, phone or video call to a loved one can be a huge help for your mental state. A friend than can make you laugh is necessary in these trying times.
20. Ask For Help
If you’re essentially bedridden, this is the right time to reach out to your community. Friends, family, and loved ones can help by bringing or making you food, cleaning up your space, and help you into clean clothes if need be.
