Self-Care When You Are Sick: Five Tips

“Powering through” a cold, flu or upset stomach tends to backfire because the longer you ignore your symptoms, the more likely they will linger. That’s why taking care of yourself is so important when you are feeling under the weather.

Read on for five self-care tips, and then please, do yourself a favor. Get in your pajamas, warm up some chicken soup and take it easy. Your body will thank you.

1. Stay Home and Rest

Rest should be your top priority when sickness sets in. It gives your body a chance to:

• Boost your immune system.
• Repair damaged cells.
• Conserve resources needed to combat your illness.

The best place to rest is at home, where you can’t spread germs to others. Try to keep your distance from family members around the house. They definitely don’t want what you have.

2. Try Home Remedies and Over-the-Counter Treatments

Over-the-counter medicines can help relieve symptoms. If you aren’t sure what to take, call a local pharmacist for advice.

You don’t have to rely solely on medicines, though. Home remedies also can be very effective in easing your symptoms and helping you feel better.

Cough and Sore Throat Home Remedies

For a cough and sore throat, you can:

• Gargle with warm salt water.
• Drink warm liquids such as tea with honey.
• Suck on cough drops or hard candy.
• Use a humidifier, which adds moisture to the air and helps soothe irritated airways.
• Eucalyptus oil, an active ingredient in chest rubs such as Vicks VapoRub.

Diarrhea and Vomiting Home Remedies

For diarrhea and vomiting, try:

• Clear, non-carbonated beverages, such as ginger ale.
• Probiotic supplements to restore the balance of your gut bacteria. Yogurt can help, too.

3. Get Same-Day Virtual Urgent Care from Home

Sometimes self-care isn’t enough: you need to see a doctor. The great news is that you can do so from home, thanks to Virtual Health options from St. Elizabeth Physicians. And you don’t even have to be a St. Elizabeth patient.

We offer:

• Video Visits on Demand, including same-day and next-day appointments. Video Visits on Demand are for anyone, regardless of whether they have a St. Elizabeth provider. Appointments are available seven days a week, starting as early as 7 a.m. and as late as 9 p.m. (depending on the day). “Video Visits on Demand are a quick, convenient way to get medical care without leaving your home” says Tammy Bowen, APRN, a Virtual Health provider at St. Elizabeth. “Just grab a warm drink, fuzzy blanket and join a licensed nurse practitioner online to discuss your healthcare concerns.”

• Video Visits allow you to connect with your St. Elizabeth provider on a safe, secure platform. You can schedule a Video Visit through MyChart (online or in the app). Not all providers utilize this service, double check with your providers office to see if this service is available to you.

Not sure what type of care you need? Just call Nurse Now at 888-4STE-NOW. Our nursing staff is available day and night. They can assess your situation and guide you to the right level of care.

4. Stay Hydrated

Keeping yourself well-hydrated helps your immune system work better and speeds up your recovery. It may also lessen your symptoms so you feel better.

Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water, clear broths or sports drinks low in sugar and containing electrolytes. Electrolytes are essential minerals such as sodium, potassium and chloride that help your body maintain fluid balance at the cellular level.

The easiest way to tell if you are well-hydrated? Check your urine color. It should be pale yellow.

5. Nourish Your Sick Self

Battling a respiratory infection? It’s best to keep your diet simple with easy-to-digest foods. Those high in Vitamins A, D, C, E, zinc and antioxidants can help boost your immune system. Examples include:

• Avocados, blueberries, cherries and kiwi.
• Carrots.
• Chamomile tea.
• Chicken and chicken soup.
• Chili peppers.
• Garlic.
• Ginger and ginger tea.
• Honey.
• Leafy greens.
• Orange juice (no sugar added).
• Turmeric.

If you have nausea or have been throwing up, the thought of food probably doesn’t appeal to you. That’s OK. Take it easy and resume eating when you feel up to it.

Last But Not Least, Don’t Go it Alone

Yes, you should stay home when you are sick. Yes, you should keep your distance from family members to avoid spreading germs. But flying completely solo through sickness can be depressing. Keep your spirits up by texting or calling friends and even planning a get-together in a week or two.

Here at St. Elizabeth, we hope you feel more like yourself soon!