As a bona-fide Type A personality, I struggle with the notion of being forced out of action by something as mundane as being sick. But it happens to us all, and sometimes, you just have to admit defeat and call in sick to the world for a day. Here’s my guide to making it as good as can be (NB: none of this is ground-breaking advice, but we can probably all do with a little reminder to slow down when we need to):
1. Ditch the guilt + woe. If you’re anything like me, sick days will inevitably induce feelings of guilt (“but I don’t have time to be sick! There is so much to do!” etc. etc.) or self-pity. Getting sick is your body’s way of telling you to slow down, so listen and do as it says. Guilt-free. (No one will congratulate you for forcing yourself to work when you’re an incubus of germs anyway)
2. Take care of yourself. Your body will be devoting all of its energy to getting better. Help it along by wrapping up warm, taking the medicine/remedies you need and getting plenty of fluids and healthy nutrients. Tea, soup and orange juice were invented for days like this!
3. Get cosy. You’re not leaving the house all day (really, no one else wants your germs), so get comfortable! Fluff the pillows, change into your favourite pyjamas, and fix yourself a tray of healthy snacks, tissues, medicine and supplies so you don’t have to move more than you want to.
4. Rest. You’re home for a reason, so give your body what it needs and spend the day doing as little as possible. Go straight back to bed after breakfast, have a nap every few hours or just rest as long as you need (no guilt allowed).
5. Indulge in a little escapism. There is no point even attempting anything energetic, so spend the day as peacefully as possible. When I’m feeling horrid, I like to escape with a happiness-inducing book, some light-hearted TV or an old-favourite movie (avoid anything too intense or cerebral, or you’ll just fall asleep anyway).
Pictured: (Top) John Lewis bed // Marks & Spencer lamp // White Company bedding // Diptyque candle // Aerin fragrance // (Bottom) Warby Parker ‘Huxley’ glasses // Anthropologie monogrammed mug (a gift from Nicolette).
6. Pamper. You’ll probably feel dehydrated, achey and flat, so a little nurturing won’t hurt. I try to take a long bubble bath (the heat eases aches and pains and the steam will help clear your sinuses), slather on a face oil before climbing back into bed (to combat parched, dull skin), and a healing balm to soothe dry lips and nostrils. A spritz of face mist during the day and a few drops of relaxing lavender oil on an oil burner also work wonders.
7. Tidy up a little. No matter how sick you are, wallowing will only make you feel worse. Open the window and spend five minutes collecting all the tissues, straightening your room and washing a few dishes. The outer order will improve your mood, if nothing else.
8. Indulge in small pleasures. Don’t waste your precious energy on anything elaborate, but now is the time to indulge in a few of your favourite small pleasures to cheer you up. I like to light a few candles (even if I can’t smell a thing, it lifts the mood of the room – just don’t fall asleep with them lit!), have a piece of dark chocolate and make a pot of my favourite Laduree tea. Such pleasures certainly won’t cure any ailments, but they will make you feel a little rosier.
9. Do one small task. even though I only take sick days when I’m so unwell I’m physically incapable of leaving the house, I struggle with productivity-guilt if I do nothing with my day. I find it helps if I do at least one tiny task. Now is not the time to do anything requiring sharp focus or decisiveness. Tidy a junk drawer, file a stack of paperwork or clean out your medicine cabinet.
10. Go back to bed! Just when you’ve spent the day resting, go back to bed and sleep some more. Hopefully, you’ll wake up feeling like yourself again (and if not: rinse and repeat tomorrow!).
How do you try to make the most of a sick day?
Love, Miss B xx
Pictures via my Instagram (because who whips out a DSLR when they’re sick?!)
Carolina Pinglo says
that bed frame is stunning!!
really helpful post!
Rachel says
Great post…I feel exactly the same with enforced sick days but realise that you should listen to your body – forcing yourself through it will only make things worse!
about a closet says
wonderful photos!
http://www.aboutacloset.com/
Comtesse Sofia says
I think the bed is the most important think during a sick day ,great tips by the way!
New Post on my blog about hairstyles, don’t hesitate to take a look 😉
https://www.comtesse-sofia.com/en/
xoxo
Comtesse Sofia
Candy Pop says
Lovely post, I completely fail at being ill – one of the problems of not being able to relax – I always end up clearing out a cupboard etc!
I hope you feel better soon. 🙂
Food Fash Fit says
You actually make me feel like I wish I was sick… When I’m ill I just winge until the duvet, ha ha! I definitely agree that having tidy surroundings makes all the difference. Get better soon!
http://www.foodfashfit.com
Meagan says
Great post! Sick days are yucky, but it is always good to remember to take care of your body!
-Meg
http://www.smalltownsisters.blogspot.com
Grace - Stripes & Sequins says
ahhhh I needed this post!
<3 hope you are feeling better soon my dear!
kierra says
Im a Bonafide type A personality too! As a matter of fact I have a Kate spade phone case that says type A. =) Its so hard to turn my mind off sometimes.
XO
http://aprettythought.org/
Vanessa says
Honestly a sick day sounds sublime right about now! I’m thinking a “mental health day” just might be in order so that I can indulge in all of your marvelous suggestions.
Alana says
This sounds so nice, I’m not even sick and I might just spend the day doing nothing except wallowing in the arrival of grey skies and rain here. xxx
Alana Says…//www.alana-says.blogspot.co.uk//Fashion and lifestyle blog
Anna says
Looks like the house is getting perfectly “you’d” 🙂 – hope you are feeling better. xx
South Molton St Style
Vicki | Style On V says
I hope you are feeling better. The photos are just fabulous. The bed looks so inviting and comfortable. V x
Kat @ She Won't Go Quietly says
I actually love what I like to call a Day 2 Sick Day, which is an excellent sick day. Not so ill that you can’t move, but just ill enough to warrant not going in to work, Day 2 Sick Days are my chance to catch up on my personal projects, blogging, decorating, clearing out my wardrobes and any other life tasks that don’t get done often enough when I’m healthy. And now I’m re-reading this and realising that next time I’m sick, I probably need to listen to your post and rest! Beautiful photos too. x
Effie says
I so needed to read this! I’m 5 months pregnant and the doctor told me I need to be on bed rest for at least a week. I find it so hard to relax and stay in bed. The guilt certainly doesn’t help. Thanks for the reminder.
http://apieceofbliss.com