We have been living through a pandemic for the better part of 18 months, and many people have been sick and even died.  So many times, people continue to work, or do chores when they are ill, pushing through thinking that they will just get better eventually.  Have you ever considered what’s best when you are ill?  Taking care of yourself has to happen all the time, not just when you are feeling well, and energized.  When you are ill, listen to your body.  It’s telling you something.

                When you are ill, getting enough rest is the first order of business.  Sleep is a significant issue in our quest to be happy and healthy.  It can help keep us more focused, decrease anxiety and depression, and keep our senses sharper.   But when you are ill, it’s generally harder to sleep.  I don’t know about you but when I have a cold or the flu, sleeping is pretty much out of the question.  There is often coughing, and having trouble breathing, which doesn’t go well with sleep.  I sleep with my mouth closed, and when your nose is stuffed, that’s hard to do.  Giving yourself time to sleep, and rest, is important to allow your body to do what it does best and fight whatever you are fighting and make you feel better.  When you are ill, rest and sleep when you can.  Your body will thank you.

                When you are ill, it also helps if you stay home, and rest.  Going to work sick, puts others at risk to become ill as well.  We seem to think that work won’t function if we are not there.  Trust me, it can.  I know that one issue in this country is that not all people have sick time that allows them to stay home from work.  That in itself is sad, but that is another post.  Taking time away from work can help you recover faster, and get back to work stronger and ready to go.

                While you are home, relax and lay around in your jammies.  Don’t work on laundry and cleaning out the closet that you have been meaning to empty for a year.  Staying home from a job can help, but working at home is not the goal.  Work on a way to manage the guilt of just resting.  I have worked with so many people who struggle to allow any down time, at home or at work.   They feel guilty sitting on the couch or watching television, feeling that they should be doing something more productive.   Taking care of you is being productive.

                Next goal is to drink fluids.  We hear that often, but when my kids are sick, or I’m not feeling well, I generally push fluids.  I am of the opinion that more fluids helps hydrate but also help flush out whatever you have.  There may not be much science behind it, but fluids are never a bad thing.  Drink water, or Gatorade, or whatever you enjoy.   Just stay hydrated.

                Get help if you need it.  If you are a parent, your kids still need care, so ask for help from family and friends.  If you have other responsibilities, like you are a caregiver for someone else, find other support.  Reach out to people you trust to help.  Ask your partner for help, and share information about what you need them to do.  Know that people who are coming to help won’t do things the way you do, but at least some things will get done while you are working on self-care.

                Self-care can’t just be about times when you are feeling great.  It also has to be when you are ill.  That’s the time when self-care is more important than ever.   Get beyond the guilt and do what you need to do for you.  So if you are ill, rest, stay home, sleep when you can, and get better sooner.  We all get sick, and the goal is to get well as soon as possible and back to your routine, but it has to include self-care.   It’s all part of being happy, for life.