How to Stay Healthy While You're Sick- Tips and Tricks

Welcome Back! If you have read my last post, you would know that I have been sick the past few days; I thought this would be a good opportunity to talk about how to treat your body right while you're sick! I am going to go through some of the top tips that I follow to stay as healthy as possible when I have a cold or flu.

Sleep A LOT

This has to be one of the MOST important things while you are sick!! Your body is doing all it can to fight the bacteria or virus that is attacking it, so you need more rest than you usually would. It is important to get as much sleep as you can at night, but also if you can take naps during the day. Sometimes when I have a fever, I spend almost the whole day sleeping! If you are having a hard time taking naps, or are unable to for whatever reason, aim to spend most of the day on the couch. A little exercise and movement is good, but it is even more important that you spend the majority of your day off your feet.

Drink Fluids

Drinking enough water while you're sick is critical, especially if you have been losing liquids. Water will not only rehydrate you, but will also help your immune system to function better. It can be so easy to forget to drink enough water, particularly when you're sick, and you may be dehydrated. Since water is so essential to life, drinking an adequate amount will help to shorten the length of your sickness. 

Eating Fruits and Veggies

Fruits and vegetables are full of the micronutrients our body needs! What I eat in a day when I am sick is much different than when I am not, but I aim to have at LEAST 1 serving of both fruits and vegetables. This can be as simple as apple slices and cheese, blueberries in oatmeal, carrots and hummus, or cucumber slices and ranch. It's amazing how easy it is to go a whole day without eating any fruits or veggies, but it's also so easy to add them into your meals!

Watch Sugar Intake

Besides all of the other terrible things too much sugar can do to your body, it can wreck your immune system! While it is good to always consume only a small amount of sugar, it is even more important when you are sick. Your immune system is what is fighting the virus/bacteria, and you don't want to hinder that! Eating an excess amount of sugar can lead to an extended period of sickness because it will prolong your recovery.

Exercise Just a Little

Remember how important rest is? Well exercise can be beneficial too! Unless you are confined to bed because you are very ill, a small walk or light workout can help you get over the sickness a little bit faster. If you do choose to exercise, make sure that is truly is just a little! Overexertion will just delay the healing your body needs. Stay away from even moderate exercise, and just focus on moving a bit more.

And there you have it! Five simple tips to help you stay healthy while you're sick. Whether you are battling a cold or flu, incorporating these tricks will help you get over it sooner! 

Until next time!

Hannah