How to Feel Better

I hate being sick.

I know I'm not alone in this. Even something as common as a cold is just downright miserable, isn't it? This past weekend I was experiencing a particularly nasty cold. Most of my poor family had gotten it earlier in the week, so I knew that soon enough (despite the vitamins that I was being diligent to take) I would end up with it, too.

For the last few days I've been trying my hardest to battle against this cold with all of my tried-and-true weapons. They made being sick a lot less horrible. Everyone has their own methods of dealing with feeling sick and bleh and gross, but in this post I thought I would share some of mine. Some of these things are incredibly obvious, but I thought it just might be helpful to someone out there. (Hi Someone- out-there! Hi!)

i. Long, Hot Showers. Goodness, am I grateful for showers and hot water! Showers somehow make you feel a lot less sick. It may not cure your cold, but at least you'll be clean and smell like flowers (or whatever your shower gel might be). Remember to moisturize afterwards!

ii. Herbal Tea. I don't usually drink herbal tea - most of the time I much prefer a cup of regular tea or coffee. When I'm sick, though, I head straight for the shelf of herbal teas. It works wonders, I'm telling you. Also, stirring in some honey supposedly helps soothe a sore throat (plus it makes the tea yummier). Personal favorite teas: Twining's Mango and Strawberry and Twining's Blackcurrent and Rhubarb.

iii. Watching happy movies definitely makes you feel better. I always watch Sense and Sensibility (1995) when I'm not feeling well. It's a tradition. Hugh Grant Jane Austen makes everything better.

iv. Radio theatres. Focus on the Family Radio Theatres are some of my favorite things. They are especially nice when you're sick - because you can just lay in your bed, close your eyes, and enjoy a good story. I listened The Secret Garden yesterday (for the billionth time) and it was awesome.

v.  Eating healthy is a good idea. You might think that since you're sick you should "treat yourself" to junky food, but it really doesn't make you feel any better. But healthy food actually does. Healthy food is happy food, right? (an exception to this is chocolate. Chocolate helps everything. Eat up.)

vi. Listening to a sermon is a great thing to do when you're stuck in bed. I had to miss church yesterday, so while my family was gone I made myself a cup (or two) of coffee, laid on the couch with my blankets and pillows, and listened to a sermon from the interwebz. Definitely recommend.

vii. Hang out with your cat. Cats are awesome because they'll just hang out and be lazy with you. Amelia and Alfred thought it was pretty great that they had a person to sleep on all day. If you don't have a cat, borrow a friend's?

viii. Keep your room tidy. It makes you feel better. I realized this after a few days of living in a messy room.

ix. Drink WATER. Stay hydrated, folks.


Do let me know what YOU do to make yourself feel better when you're sick! I MUST LEARN YOUR SECRETS.

love,
Hannah