When You’re Sick and Tired by Stephanie Nickel
Coming down with a virus after <cough, cough> two weeks of slacking was not a good thing.
When we’re sick, there are things we can do and others we should put on hold.
Get enough sleep.
This is especially important to help your body fight whatever is going on. Your immune system can use all the help it can get.
Get your nutrients.
If you can’t handle solid food, whipping up a nutritious fruit and veggie smoothie can be a great alternative. You may also want to add a scoop of whey protein to make it “a complete meal.”
Go for a walk.
You may not be able to walk as far or as fast as usual, but getting out of the house can do you a lot of good—physically and mentally.
Modify your resistance routine.
While you may not feel at all like exercising, if you’re up to it, you may want to decrease the weights. (Depending on how you’re feeling, you may also want to increase the reps.) This may not be the time for heavy lifting, but if you can keep moving, that’s great.
Pace yourself.
Decide what has to get done each day and work at your list in order of priority. Remember to give yourself a break. You can always catch up once you’re feeling better.
Incorporate stretch breaks.
While these are good no matter how you feel, when you’re achy, it is especially important to keep moving and gently stretch the affected muscles.
Indulge a little.
Choose your favourite healthy foods. Go for a walk along your favourite route. Buy a beautiful new journal and write down healthy living goals that you will begin to incorporate when you’re better.
Push yourself—a little.
Yes, it’s tempting to stay in bed and pull the covers over your head or flop in front of the television. That may be okay for a day or two, but healthy eating and even a little physical activity can be very beneficial.
Tweetable
You can pace yourself when you’re ill while still making healthy choices. (tweet this)
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Steph Beth Nickel is an author, a freelance editor and writer, a labour doula, and a former personal trainer. She’d love to connect with you on Facebook or Twitter, on her website or blog.