Capitalizing on Your Illness

Illness can really be a pain! Sniffle sniffle sniffle……..I feel so ill, tormented, miserable. Stop it! Get a hold of yourself! I really need to remind myself that I should not complain too much. What’s the point of that. I’m the one always telling others to look at the brighter side of things. So I’d better get a hold of myself!

So I started feeling unwell on Sunday night. Flu-like symptoms, cough, runny nose and by Monday morning I had lost my voice and had a fever. I called in sick and hoped that by Wednesday I would feel well enough to go back to work. Well, no can do. I was in no shape to go. Then the thought hit me, what could I do with this ‘lemon’? So I’ve come up with a list of things we can try to do when we are too ill to get on with the ‘every day’ things like going to work.

1. Drink More Water – We know that most of us don’t have the recommended daily intake of water, whatever the reason. So use this opportunity to have as much as possible or as much as you can tolerate. This might mean going to the toilet more often. But so what? What else have you got to do? No, seriously. Think about it! In most cases flushing your system with water might help to ease your symptoms.
2. Do Stretch Exercises – If you are just under the weather or stuck in bed due to illness but you can afford to, do some simple stretching exercises. You will feel better for it and perhaps more rejuvenated.
3. Learn Something New – Even if you don’t have the physical strength to actually do the task, learn about it. I crotchet as a hobby and whilst I was unwell I didn’t much feel like crotchetting but I used the opportunity to learn how to do some new stitches by looking at various videos online. I didn’t do much, just listened and watched.
4. Reach out to Someone else – Even though you may feel really ill and might not be able to physically go to see someone else, take the time to reach out to someone else. They might be in a worse position than yourself and might really need some cheering up. So call, text, video call or even write a letter to someone you have not communicated with in a long time. Do it. You are certain to feel better by the end of it.
5. Soak your Feet –  This is soooooo therapeutic and if you add some menthol in the water that makes you feel even better. Check out this post about Beautiful Feet. It’s one of my favourite things to do when I have some time to myself.
6. Count Your Blessings – Too often we spend time focusing on our sorrows. What about the blessings? Got me thinking again. You never know, but being ill can in itself be a blessing. Because we are mere mortal human beings we don’t really see the ‘big picture’ nor do we understand what is really going on. It could be that we are being spared some major trauma (or drama) by being incapacitated and sent to bed. We just don’t know. So whilst you lie there or just laze around, use the time to count all the blessings that you have got! That will certainly do you some good. I’ve written a post about one of the best things to do when you need a boost. 

So next time you are holed up at home, use the time wisely. You don’t have to wile away the hours in bed. Get better soon. x

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