Have a cold or flu? Follow these 7 self-care basics 🤒

Self-care means putting yourself first and keeping yourself healthy physically, mentally, and spiritually!

But sometimes, no matter how much you take care of yourself, colds and fevers can still happen.

The good news is you can still practice self-care even in those moments!

PAUSE everything you're doing and listen to your body!

When you're not feeling well, you need to know when to stop and rest.

It's ok to miss work or school — you can always make up for that later on! You can let your colleagues or teachers know that you need to rest, which will help give you space from the demands of work/school.

If you don't take a break now, you may feel even worse and it will take longer to recover from your cold. Feeling 100% again can sometimes take up to 10 days, so it's best to pause your normal routine until you feel good to resume it.

Get plenty of rest and sleep! Your body needs time to relax to heal itself.

It's best to try and get 9 to 10 hours of sleep when you're not feeling well. If you can't sleep for that long, try to add an hour to your usual sleeping routine or take naps throughout the day.

Allowing yourself to rest will help your immune system to fight against the illness in your body. The more you sleep, the faster you'll heal, especially during those first few days being sick.

Listening to your body and prioritizing rest will make sure you recover in no time, helping you get to normal activities faster!

Try to drink lots of water and stay hydrated throughout the day. You can also have herbal tea, juice, and clear soups to keep your body hydrated.

It's best to steer clear from sugary and caffeinated drinks, like sodas or coffee, as they can make you dehydrated.

You might not have the best appetite when sick, but eating the right foods can help you feel better and recover faster.

The best foods you can eat while sick are:

• Broth-based soups: Soups and broths can be soothing and are a great way to stay hydrated. Chicken noodle soup has anti-inflammatory effects and provides protein to help heal the body.

• Fruits: Fruits are full of vitamins and minerals, and are a great way to stay hydrated. Try fruits like oranges and blueberries that can help boost your immune system.

• Yogurt: Yogurt is rich in probiotics, which can help your gut.

• Oatmeal: Oatmeal is nutritious and easy to eat. It has many calories and vitamins for when you don't have a big appetite.

• Honey: A teaspoon of honey can boost your immune system and soothe coughs. You can also add it to your teas as a sweetener!

Dress comfortably in cozy clothes and create a space to relax and stay calm.

As your immune system is fighting the virus in your body, you may feel weak during the first few days. Relaxing can help your body strengthen your immune system and regain the energy it needs to recover more quickly.

You can practice relaxation techniques, like meditation or gentle stretches, or engage in enjoyable activities, such as watching movies, reading books, playing games, or listening to music, podcasts, or audiobooks.

These activities can keep you relaxed and also help distract you from being sick.

If you feel that things aren't improving, take some over-the-counter medication.This can help lessen the symptoms (body aches, headaches, or fever) and help you get better!

Just read the label beforehand, so the medication can help with the exact symptoms you're feeling.

Even though self-care means taking care of yourself by yourself, it can also mean knowing your limits. It's always okay to ask for help when you need it.

This could look like asking a friend or family member to help care for you while you're sick. It could also mean visiting a doctor if your symptoms aren't improving.

Self-care can come in all forms and it's important to put yourself first even when you're not feeling your best.

Remember the next time you're not feeling well to: