Nothing is more dangerous to a person’s well-being and livelihood than getting sick. One day you’re working your day job or hanging out with friends and family, and tomorrow you’re curled up in bed, languishing in misery. The best you could hope is for the pain to go away so you could return to your normal life.
While there’s not much you can do once you’re sick, there are ways to make the recovery process go faster. Tools such as 24-hour home care also go a long way in improving the quality of life for people with long-term illnesses and chronic conditions.
If you’re down with the flu or something more serious, here are a few things you need to keep in mind if you want to get better faster.
1. Get lots of sleep
I know you’ve heard this lots of times, but it bears repeating: you need to get lots of sleep. Your body heals faster when you’re at rest, so getting plenty of it is the best way to bounce back from a mild illness. People need more sleep when they’re sick, so try to add two hours to your regular sleeping schedule. You can go to bed an hour earlier and wake up later. You can also take more naps throughout the day to give your body more opportunities to heal.
Longer hours aren’t enough; try to get better sleep as well. If you have a stuffy nose, keeping your head elevated will reduce the discomfort and make it easier for you to fall asleep. Minimize sunlight coming into your room by drawing the curtains. If you regularly use a white noise machine, keep it on.
2. Take the day off
Don’t go to work if you feel something coming. If possible, take the day off work and rest at home. That ensures that your body can fight the illness and recuperate without having to deal with the stress of work. It’s also unfair to your coworkers. If your illness is contagious, you risk spreading the disease to the rest of the office.
3. Drink water
Drinking lots of water is another piece of advice that’s so common that it’s almost a cliche. However, staying hydrated is essential if you want to speed up the healing process. When you’re sick, your body tends to lose water through diarrhea, sweating, or vomiting. Couple that with loss of appetite, and your body won’t have enough fluids to maintain internal processes. If possible, supplement your water with non-caffeinated sports drinks and soup.
4. Shower often
If you’re sick, you’ll find that you barely have the energy to do anything. You want to lie in bed all day and sleep. However, you also have to keep yourself clean. Going for a quick shower might seem counterintuitive, but this simple act can speed up the recovery process.
A hot shower helps reduce nasal congestion and clear your nose of mucus. Hot water also relaxes the muscles and makes you feel more relaxed. Pulling yourself out of bed may take some time, but everything’s going to be worth it once you’re standing under a hot shower.
These pointers will help you recover from a mild illness faster. While sleeping in and drinking lots of water may seem like standard advice, there’s a reason why doctors recommend them all the time. Don’t try to rush the healing process and wait for your body to heal. Most importantly, consult with your healthcare provider if your condition gets worse.