Healthy adults need between 7. 5 and 9 hours of sleep every night, and someone who is sick will need a great deal more. Make sure you are allowing yourself adequate time to rest, whether this means calling in sick to work or school, canceling plans, and/or going to bed early. [1] X Research source
Avoid eating any rich, processed, or fatty foods. Eat smaller, lighter meals more frequently throughout the day instead of 3 main meals. Try eating a green fruit and vegetable smoothie once a day. It will help you to ingest a lot of nutrients that are key to getting you back on your feet. Soups, in particular chicken bone broth with vegetables, tom yum, pho, and miso soup, are a great way to reintroduce proteins and vegetables back into your diet.
Relax in a nice long bath. Try adding 1 cup (1. 7g) of Epsom salts or a few drops of relaxing, anti-inflammatory essential oils like eucalyptus, peppermint, or lavender to promote additional healing and relaxation. Try using a heat pad to help with site-specific pain. For example, if you’re having lower abdominal cramping post-stomach flu, you can heat the pad up and place it on your abdomen for some relief. Carefully massage a pain-relieving ointment like Tiger Balm or Icy Hot wherever you feel sore. For example, apply a dab to your temples for any associated headaches. Just be sure to wash your hands afterward, as these rubs are very potent and whatever skin it touches will heat up!
You could also ease back into exercising with a hot yoga class, which can support your immune system and help clear out any remaining congestion. Just remember to stay hydrated, listen to your body, and take it slow! Get plenty of rest after doing any kind of exercise.
Vitamin D Vitamin C Zinc Potassium Polyphenols, which you can get naturally from green tea and most fruits and vegetables Probiotics, which you can find in foods like yogurt and kefir
Do deep breathing exercises Meditate Do light stretches or yoga Listen to peaceful music Chat with a friend or loved one Work on a hobby or creative project Relax outdoors Get a massage, or massage yourself[8] X Research source
Sesame and almond oil are also great for moisturizing chapped skin. Just choose products that are free of preservatives and other additives.
While you’re sick, wash your sheets and pillowcases in hot water every few days to kill germs and viruses, especially if you share a bed with someone else. [10] X Research source
Wash any bath towels, hand towels, rugs, robes, or other fabrics in hot water with color-safe bleach. Disinfect all surfaces, focusing mainly on the countertops and the toilet. You can use a store-bought product with bleach, or you can make your own disinfectant with 1 part water to 1 part rubbing alcohol or full-strength vinegar. Empty the trash can, and then disinfect the trash bin. Replace your toothbrush or soak your toothbrush head in hydrogen peroxide for 30 minutes to kill any bacteria. If you used a sponge to wipe everything down, throw it out when you’re done. If you use a cloth wipe, wash it with the towels when you’re finished. Add a few drops of eucalyptus oil to your cleaning solution when you mop the floor. The scent will soothe your airways, and the oil may help kill lingering germs and viruses. [12] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
Countertops Refrigerator handle Faucet handles Pantry, cabinet, and drawer handles Any dishware used
Thermometers Bathroom cabinets and drawer handles Doorknobs Light switches, including the light switch plate Electronics like laptops, cell phones, landline phones, TV remotes, and the computer keyboard and mouse
If you share a home with someone else, wash your clothes separately from theirs to prevent them from getting sick. Run a wash cycle with bleach after you’ve cleaned your clothes to disinfect the washing machine.
