Sick With a Cold Again? How to Look Better Than You Feel
Updated: 5 days ago
We have all had some type of bug at some point in our lives, especially if you have kids. It's like a cold or sickness flies through the house every other week. I bet you can remember how crappy it made you feel, how long it seemed to linger, and how much of a toll it took on your body and your face. It's quite humbling, isn't it?
This topic was inspired by a lovely bug that lived in my body just a few months ago. Getting sick is such a buzzkill to begin with, but to top it off, it overstayed its welcome. I spent 11 full days in bed, eyes closed, head on a pillow, with very little movement.
After 11 days, I finally had to get my body moving and get back to work, but even then, I wasn't feeling or looking my best. During that time of rest (if you can call it that!), I started making some notes about things I wanted to try to help myself feel better and, good grief, look better too!
Since that doozy of an illness, I've been sick many times, and each time I try to implement a few of these practices to help me look better than I feel.
Simple Ways to Feel Better When You’re Sick
Here are a few things to help you survive whatever awful bug has entered your home and your body.
If you're in London, Ontario and the surrounding areas, I hope some of these tips make those unavoidable sick days a little more comfortable. And since I have an online shop, some of my favourite skincare products can even be shipped right to your door.
Eucalyptus: It can be oil in a diffuser, a plant in your house or even a dehydrated bushel for your shower. The scent is comforting and helps with breathing.
Hot Showers & Hot Baths: So this may not be a product you can purchase, but I promise you'll still enjoy the benefits! I absolutely love hot baths and showers on a good day, so when I'm not feeling the best, hot baths and showers are even more of a luxury. It provides both immediate and temporary relief!
Set your mood, play some chill music, light a candle, use bath salts and just relax, enjoy the warm water, smell the eucalyptus, and start your journey to feeling better. If you are in the shower enjoying the steamy little space you created... I've got a secret tip for you. You'll judge me at first, but honestly, that's okay, because once you try it, you'll get it. Stand in the warm water and steam, let your nose start to run a bit, feel the sinus drain, and blow your nose. Don't sniff it back, don't rub it away... Literally, blow your nose. I knew you would judge me, because gross right? It's ok, I am judging myself. But I promise, this it will provide such a beautiful relief.
Peppermint: Since we've been talking about creating the vibe in the bathroom and using scents as a way to relieve congestion, another fav option of mine is peppermint oil. This can be an oil you diffuse or maybe even an oil you rub on your chest. Don't forget the simplicity of a peppermint tea. Feeling better can be from such simplistic things!
Boiled Water / Honey / Lemon: Honestly, just something about this that is just so soothing and effective when sick. Slowly sip and enjoy. Best enjoyed while in bed binge-watching Gilmore Girls. 😂
Bone Broth: You can purchase at any grocery store or even make your own! I'm all about simple, easy and effective ways to support your immune system. Bone broth helps support hydration and provides a little nourishment when you dont feel like eating.
It also privids amino acids to support recovery and is soothing overall. Bone broth has health and skin benefits even when not sick, it's just another recovery item for the first aid kit.
Neti Pot: Nasal drainage sucks to do it, feels great once it's done. Water flying up the nostrils does not soud like a fun past time activity, but when it provides relief and allows you to breathe a tad more effectively I think its worth it. Also, its an easy, quick, non medicated option which sometimes is golden. I purchased mine from Shoppers Drug Mart, another win; it's nice that it is so easily accessible for when the time comes.
Muslin Cloths as Tissues: Ew, I know. You can't judge me harder than I have already judged myself. 😂
I remember my grandpartens doing this and I thought it was the most disgusting old person thing to do. Well, here I am. Just a girl fighting a cold and trying to save the integrity of her skin.
Using soft muslin cloths helped prevent my nose from cracking and significantly reduced the pain and tenderness from constantly blowing or rubbing my nose. So yes, this became a staple and now, obviously, a suggestion.
Sleep with a humidifier: This will help you breathe and will help your skin. Relief in all of the ways without you doing anything. Just make sure your humidifier is full with distilled water and on before you crawl in bed and you've done your part. Now let your rest heal you.
Skincare Tips When You're Sick
My next suggestions are geared toward the products we retail at Inspirations Beauty Clinic Inc., along with beauty routines and rituals.
When we're sick, our skin can feel compromised too. Blowing your nose frequently can leave the skin around your nose feeling dry, irritated and uncomfortable. Chapped lips and dry-feeling skin can also become part of the experience.
So, as an aesthetician, these are some of the products and routines I suggest considering when your skin needs a little extra TLC.
And the best part? We can ship our products anywhere in Ontario, Canada.
Hydrating Face Masks/ Treatments
This suggestion is definitely more about "looking better than you feel" and less about helping you fight the bug.
When we're sick, staying hydrated can become more difficult, and your skin may feel drier than usual. Focus on giving your skin the hydration it is craving.
It can be a sheet mask, a cream-based mask or a rich moisturiser. Your skin will thank you!
Here are some of my favourite products to keep on hand:
Hydrinity Restorative Sheet Mask Hydrinity Lip Luxe CO2 Pro Lift Treatment iS Clinical Sheald Recovery
Hydrinity Hyacyn Active Mist
Last but absolutely not least!
If anything, this is actually one of my favourites. It's a product I use for so many things and especially love having around during cold and flu season.
Hydrinity Hyacyn Active Mist contains hypochlorous acid. This mist fights infection, germs, invaders that go into and on our body within 37-42 sedonds. This mist is used for a variety of skin concerns and conditions but for sake of this blog it is a product I recommend spraying your face, hands, in your mouth, up your nose and you will find you fight the sickness much faster! Dont believe me? Try this in your routine. I have one of these in my vehicle, I also carry one in what I call my "mom bag", we have one on the main floor, in our ensuite and in our daughter's bedroom.
We are serious about our Hyacyn. 😂
Create Your Own Sick-Day Recovery Routine
These are some of my go-to sickness protocol routines that have helped me feel a little more comfortable while I'm recovering.
Add a few of them into your day and create your own little recovery spa routine. It can be a reminder that even when you're feeling awful, you can still take a few moments to care for yourself.
It's not often that sick time is enjoyable, so try to salvage whatever moments you can.
Nothing is worse than going back to work after being sick and realising you still don't feel well rested. Maybe a few of these steps can make those sick days a little more bearable.
I hope you enjoyed this little blog entry!
Remember, you can get in touch with me or use the links throughout this post to shop and prepare for those times when you feel under the weather.
I hope you start to feel better. xo
P.S. If you have a dog, snuggle them. You'll feel a million times better and won't need any of my recommendations. 🐶❤️
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