Preparing for a sick day at home is more than just having a can of chicken noodle soup ready. As a kid, your parents would take care of you while you rested and watched movies. Mom and dad might even have rented you movies at Blockbuster and brought the den tv up to your room. Now, you have to figure out how to rest and care for yourself while you feel terrible. Where do you even start?
From scheduling a doctor’s visit to making simple food you can make the most of your sick time. When you’re stuck at home and can’t get out, there are some essentials that can make it bearable. Keep reading for sick day essentials for adults.
1. Check in with Your Doctor Virtually
If COVID-19 taught the world anything, it’s that a telehealth visit can be a great first appointment. Sometimes you aren’t sure if you’re contagious. And other times, you just feel too miserable to leave the house, let alone drive. Either way, setting up an online doctor’s visit allows you to meet with a doctor remotely. They can assess if you need to be seen in person for a follow-up or should have a prescription.
According to HealthTap, telehealth visits can get you in quicker and at more affordable rates. Going this route instead of choosing urgent care or the emergency room can save you time and money. And, if the doctor determines you need to be seen in person, your chart and initial assessment are underway.
2. Prepare Yourself for Binge Watching
Gone are the days of Blockbuster rentals. To optimize your sick day experience, set up a comfy lounge area in the living room. Include plenty of pillows and blankets in front of the tv. Don’t forget a coffee table or tv tray with crackers, liquids, your medicines, and a thermometer. That way, you have everything within reach and won’t have to get up much while resting.
Tuck yourself in and cue up Disney+, Hulu, Netflix, HBOMax, or whatever service is your favorite. Don’t have any streaming accounts? Most offer a free 30 day trial. Sign up and get to binge watching. Pro tip: find a series that has multiple seasons, especially if you’re going to be under the weather for a few days.
3. Gather Sick Day Foods
You need to keep up your strength. Often, you don’t feel like eating when you’re ill, but it’s important to eat what you can and stay hydrated. You don’t want to end up hospitalized for dehydration. Make sure to have crackers, soup, water, and Pedialyte or Gatorade on hand. Some folks even enjoy toast and eggs, ginger ale, or even a hot toddy.
If you don’t have these items at home, see if a friend can bring them to you. If not, many apps will deliver groceries right to your door. Instacart is one option where you can order, and they shop and deliver your groceries to you. You could also order food delivered to your house from restaurants through apps like Grubhub or DoorDash.
4. Don’t Skimp on Supplies
Get a thermometer that is easy to read if you have a fever. If you find yourself running to the bathroom all day, get soft and thick toilet paper. If you can’t keep a thing in your stomach, get Pepto and mouthwash. Is your nose constantly running? Splurge on tissues with moisturizer or with Vicks added.
It might cost a little more for these things, but with repeated use, your body will thank you. The toilet paper and tissue especially will help you from feeling raw. The mouthwash will help keep the bad taste of upset tummy out of your mouth. Picking up some lysol spray and hand sanitizer is also a great idea. It lets you clean up the germs and helps prevent them from spreading.
5. Pamper Yourself
A hot water bottle might feel great for your aches and pains. A heated or weighted blanket might help you break through your chills. Don’t worry about how you look — if wearing a snuggie and slippers feels, good go for it! Adding a little Vicks to your chest or on your feet and putting on socks might be just the ticket.
After days of laying in bed or on the couch, a hot bath can be relaxing and soothing. Throw in some epsom salt, lavender, or a bath bomb. If you’re congested, let the bathroom steam up. It can help your chest and nose clear. If you don’t have a tub, you could try a leisurely shower or a face mask.
Being sick stinks, especially if you’re stuck at home by yourself as an adult. Thankfully, today’s technologies allow you to have many necessities delivered to your home at the push of a button. Whether it’s seeing your doctor or getting groceries and medicines delivered, you can do it all without leaving your couch.
Setting yourself up with the essentials mentioned allows you to have as comfortable of a time as possible while ill. It’s okay to pamper yourself and spend a little extra for comforts during this time. Take care of yourself and don’t forget to hydrate. You’ll be back to your healthy self in no time.
