We’ve all been there. You wake up one morning with your throat on fire, a stuffed-up nose or a headache that you just can’t seem to shake. When this happens, it’s pretty normal to feel like you don’t want to get out of bed all day. But what about those days when you can’t stay home? Whether it be a big exam, a job interview or just a class that you can’t miss, there are some days when laying in bed all day is just not an option. Even though everyone gets sick, not everyone can take a sick day.
The pandemic didn’t change this thinking, even though many thought it might. It’s still very common for people to go to work or class when they’re feeling sick. One of the biggest reasons why is that they simply can’t take off; this can be due to several factors such as workers not having paid time off or students not having a Zoom option for the class. Others may feel that it’s necessary to get out of bed and get to work due to the cultural norm surrounding productivity and working through your illness.
Whatever the reasoning is, there are some days when you feel miserable but simply can’t stay home. The good news — or the slightly less bad news — is that even if you have to get out of bed, you can still take care of yourself and be mindful of the people around you. VALLEY has some tips for how to have a sick day, even when you can’t stay home.
Take Medicine
Take advantage of the medicines available to help! Whether that be over-the-counter products or prescriptions from your doctor, this is one way to start fighting off whatever virus/infection you have and hopefully start feeling better.
If you can, reach out to your healthcare provider or make your way over to University Health Services or MedExpress to see if they can prescribe you something that will help. If that’s not an option — or you find that you’re just battling a dreaded cold — there are many effective medicine options at your local drugstore. When figuring out which medication to use, evaluate your symptoms and go from there.
- If you have a runny or stuffy nose: Look for decongestants, which can provide short-term relief and diminish some pressures or pain (like Sudafed, Mucinex or Tylenol Sinus). You can also get saline nasal sprays to help clear your sinuses (such as Ayr, Sinex Severe or Equate).
- If you have a cough or sore throat: Look for cough drops (such as Ricola, Halls or Vicks VapoCool) and throat sprays (like Chloroseptic or Vicks) to soothe the pain of a sore throat. You can also try cough suppressants (like Delsym or Vicks DayQuil) or expectorants (like Mucinex and Robitussin Chest Congestion) to ease excessive coughing.
- If you have digestive problems or a stomachache: Look for upset stomach relief (like Pepto-Bismol or Tums), which can neutralize stomach acid and provide fast relief.
- If you have a headache or fever: Start by taking a fever reducer (like Tylenol or Advil) to help bring your fever down and provide some relief. These medications also work for a headache, as do other over-the-counter medications such as Aleve or Aspirin.
Rest as much as Possible
The best way to relieve an illness as fast as possible is to rest as much as possible. If there are ways to make your day a little easier, then it’s probably the best thing to do. Lighten your load by doing only what you need to do. For example, if you usually get up and work out before class, maybe take the day off and sleep in. If you like to study at different buildings between classes, try staying in one spot for the day. Ultimately, the best thing to do is take it slow and give your body the much-needed rest it deserves. If you can, take breaks during your day, ask others around you for help, and only put in the effort you can without going above and beyond. It’s okay to have a slower, more relaxed day. We all need one every once and a while.
When your day is over, try your best to make it an early night. Instead of watching Netflix or staying on your phone, just go to bed! Know that it’s okay to go to bed early and sleep off whatever you’re feeling. If you’re having trouble sleeping, many medicines can provide relief during the night, such as Nyquil Severe or Mucinex Nighttime. Medicines like this tend to make you drowsy or sleepy, which can be helpful when congestion or coughing makes it hard to sleep.
Drink plenty of Water
Another tried and true way to kick an illness fast is to drink plenty of fluids. It’s essential to stay on top of your fluid intake when you’re sick because people lose fluids more easily and quickly through excess sweating, vomiting or diarrhea. If you have to go through an entire workday or a few classes where you’re walking around or can’t get food or drinks all the time, you could get extra dehydrated. Make sure you carry a water bottle and refill it as much as possible. If you need to, set reminders to drink more or create rewards for finishing a bottle. If you can’t refill a bottle all day, try drinking fluids with electrolytes, such as Pedialyte or Gatorade, rather than water alone. This will help replenish the electrolytes in your body and keep you from getting dehydrated.
Being sick is never fun. It’s the perfect time to stay in bed, watch a good movie and cuddle up with your emotional support water bottle. But we know that not everyone has that luxury every time they get sick. If you must go to work or class on those days, know it’s okay to take it easy; focus on yourself and your well-being. It’s okay to take a day off if you’re sick.
What are your thoughts on sick days? Tweet us @VALLEYMag and tell us your favorite thing to do on a sick day!
