5 Ways To Feel Better When You're Sick...

Disclaimer:  This is not medical advice.  If, like me, you've been feeling poorly, please consult your health care professional for advice and feel better soon dear ones x

Hi Honeys
I'm sorry I've been missing.  I'm currently battling a chest infection.  It's had me in it's merciless, can't breathe, can't sleep, all-sore-from-the-constant-hacking-cough grip now for... well yesterday was the start of it's third week!

Yikes! Not to worry though, I think (hopefully) I might be on the mend. I'm still coughing, at times sounding like some kind of demented seal, I still can't sleep, everything still hurts (especially the muscles around or supporting my lungs, all of the coughing has obviously done bad things to those poor muscles) but there's a slightly longer gap between coughing fits so I'm hoping there's light at the end of the tunnel.

So, how have I managed to put up with being stuck on the sofa for the past fortnight dear ones? Especially since the first week was actually vacation time I'd waited patiently for and had planned some major decluttering projects! Well, simply put dear ones, I've been able to put up with it because I haven't had a choice 😊

It helped of course that the first week was spent hiding under a huge blanket on the sofa and that I had my dear Hubby to look after me (thank you sweetheart x)  Even having Hubby here though (it was his week off work too, as I said we'd planned on getting some work done around our home) didn't stop me hating my lungs. I have to be the worst patient ever! I can't bear being ill, no patience for it. We had stuff to do after all!

So, other than going from the extremes of not being able to breathe to trying very hard to not cough up both lungs (yuk!) mostly I just desperately wanted all the noise to quieten down.  I've always had a problem with noise honeys, can't bear it, and when I'm ill it just becomes unbearable.  Thank the heavens we live in a (usually) very quiet little cul-de-sac but I swear on bad days I can hear the air move around me.. ick!

It can be a very difficult thing to cope with.  Being stuck at home, knowing there are things needing done but knowing you're not well enough to do them yet.  Anyone recognising this?

OK, imagine, we're past the very worst of what ails us but still marooned on a sofa on sick leave because...

• Dashing back to work too early will knock our recovery backwards and we'll end up having to repeat the fight towards being well all over again and 
• We don't want to go back to work while still contagious and then infect all of our workmates. Be kind and keep those cough and sneeze borne germs to yourself dear ones.  

5 Ways To Help Yourself Feel Better When You're Sick 

1. Get enough rest. I know, it sounds so obvious but how many of us keep going till we just can't anymore?  In order to get well our bodies do need to rest, so rest! Seriously honeys, rest is a medicine all of it's own.  You can help time pass by doing something fun, maybe something you've been meaning to do for a while but haven't had the time? Why not read a book or two? Watch a dvd box set or catch up on crafts? Time will pass and you'll be smiling 😊

2. Stay hydrated. When battling an illness it's so important to drink enough fluids.  Keep water nearby and sip often.  Warm water with a little lemon and honey will help soothe a sore throat as will warm broths or lovely calming herbal teas.

3. Be Mindful of hygiene.  Have a litter bin nearby to quickly dispose of paper tissues.  Keep a bottle of hand gel nearby too and use it if you cough into a hand.  If your poor body is battling bacteria or a virus already it's too easy to keep re-infecting ourselves by touching our face, especially eyes and nose, with germ filled hands.  I also change my pillowcase every morning.  If I've been coughing all through the night honeys, I don't want to be putting my face on that germy pillowcase next night.... ick!

4. Stay Warm.  When stuck on the sofa, why not be cosy with a warm fluffy throw to snuggle under? Wear your softest, fluffiest socks to keep your feet warm too.  So many of us have wooden or laminate floors now instead of carpets and cold feet don't help an ill body heal.  Even if you prefer bare feet indoors, I so do, it really won't help and bare feet let your body's heat escape as well as invite chills in. Why not wrap your shoulders and neck in a really pretty shawl? It'll keep you toasty warm and make you feel better, and maybe smile, too.  I always feel quite glamourous in a shawl, even if I'm wearing a nightie 😊

5. Do as you're told!  By your doctor anyway 😊  If you've been given medication, especially antibiotics, check with your doctor before stopping them.  He'll be able to tell you whether the original problem has been addressed and it's safe to discontinue them.  Many people start to feel better and quit taking medication only to find themselves feeling poorly again within a day or two. Doctor knows best honeys.

All very obvious, don't you think?  It really is! So why do we all find it so difficult to practice even a little self care when we'll gladly and happily run our body batteries completely drained looking after everyone else?  Self care is so important, and not just when we're ill.

About that self care...

Perhaps we should consider tiny acts of self care, such as having a manicure, a lunch with friends or even just some alone time, as deposits into a vital savings account.  This savings account might not pay for a holiday or help with the bills, but it does something arguably just as important. It helps us to function better, it makes us stronger and this in turn helps us to care for our loved ones.

When was the last time you made a deposit into the bank of you dear ones? When did you last do something, even a little thing, just for you?

I hope you've had a fabulous weekend dear ones and that you're looking forward to a wonderful week.  Till next time, smile lots and hug even more, huggles always xx

ps:  Just in case anyone is suffering as I am with an early autumn chest infection there is a wonderful information page from the NHS here: NHS chest infection information page feel better soon honeys x