34 Ideas for Self Care When You’re Sick
Self care is always important to incorporate into your daily routine, but it’s even more important to engage in self care when sick.
When you get sick, whether it’s a minor cold or something more severe, you might feel like you have less energy to practice self care – but it can also be a time when you need self care the most.
And don’t forget, even rest and recovery is a critical part of self care.
Your self care routine may look a little bit different when you’re sick – like swapping out some extra sleep for your nail appointment. But that’s okay! All forms of self care are important.
This post is going to give you 34 ideas for self care when sick.
1. Rest
One of the most important ways to engage in self care when sick is to make sure you get plenty of rest. Whether it’s putting your feet up on the couch or holing up in bed, prioritize rest.
This also includes mental rest! Give your mind a break and relax.
2. Hydrate
Another important factor of self care when sick is to stay hydrated. Whlie hydration is important always, it’s especially important when you feel sick.
Prioritize drinking water throughout the day. Also consider getting some drinks with electrolytes to help you replenish your fluids and energy.
3. Binge your favorite show
Being sick means you have an excuse to sit on the couch all day and binge your favorite show. Not only is this relaxing, but watching a favorite show can provide comfort during an uncomfortable time of being sick.
4. Take a sick day
Sometimes you might feel pressure to work through being sick, especially if you are working virtually. However, if you feel really sick, I encourage you to take the time you need and use your sick days.
Taking a sick day will allow you to have necessary rest and recovery. You’ll also probably find that you have a quicker recovery by taking one or two days off to rest than if you try to work through your illness.
5. Take a nap
We’ve talked about making sure you get rest and that also includes taking a nap throughout the day. If you can, take a nap with no alarm and let your body recover.
6. Go to bed early
Another important factor of getting enough rest is to go to bed early. Skip hitting next episode on Netflix and get into bed earlier than you normally would so you can get a full night’s sleep.
7. Postpone plans
If you have plans with friends or family, think about rescheduling. Not only might you get others sick, but you also deserve the rest and recovery of staying in for the day.
8. Check in with your doctor
An important idea for self care when sick may be a pretty obvious one – check in with your doctor. Make a visit to your doctor or a local urgent care to make sure you’re okay and seek treatment.
Talking to a health professional will provide you with expert advice to base your treatment plan on.
9. Lean on others
If you’re feeling sick, lean on others where you can to help you. Ask your significant other to cook dinner that night or drop the kids off at Grandma and Grandpa’s house.
Allow yourself to rest and recover by leaning on your support system if you can.
10. Get cozy
A great self care idea for when your sick is to get cozy and comfortable! Use this as an excuse to spend all day in sweatpants and your favorite big T-shirt.
11. Splurge for lotion tissues
If you have a cold, your nose will likely start to get irritated from rubbing it so much. I recommend splurging for those lotion tissues to help soothe your poor nose!
12. Do some skin care
While skin care might not be the first self care idea you think of when you feel sick, it can really help for multiple reasons. In general, a skin care routine is relaxing and can help you feel better.
And when you’re sick, your skin might feel dry and irritated, so applying some moisturizer and other skin care products can help you soothe those symptoms.
13. Get some Vitamin C
Vitamin C is really important when you’re sick and recovering. Drink some orange juice or cut up a fresh orange to get some much needed Vitamin C.
14. Embrace fresh air
When you’re feeling sick and staying home a lot, the air can start to feel stale. It can feel life-changing to get some fresh air.
Open the windows, sit outside, or take a gentle walk to embrace the fresh air.
15. Make a cup of herbal tea
A cup of warm, herbal tea can both help soothe a sore throat and also be really comforting no matter what illness you’re fighting.
Caffeine can make you feel jittery or exacerbate certain symptoms, so it may also be a good idea to swap out your morning coffee for a cup of herbal tea when you’ve been feeling sick.
16. Stock up on supplies
A great idea for self care when sick is to stock up on any essentials that will help you feel better. Put together a kit with Advil, flu/cold medicine, a heating pad, etc.
Be sure to ask your doctor about anything they recommend you use for recovery.
17. Take a warm shower or bath
Taking a warm shower or bath can be really relaxing, especially when you’re sick.
If you’re congested a steamy shower or bath can help you open your sinuses. Additionally, the warm water will feel comforting on your skin and help you unwind.
18. Try aromatherapy
Reducing stress is especially important when you’re sick. One of the ways you can do that is through aromatherapy.
Use a diffuser, candles, or essential oils for some aromatherapy and relaxation.
For more information on aromatherapy for beginners, read more here.
19. Soothe your throat with honey
If you’re experiencing a sore throat, having some honey can really help you soothe the pain. Take a spoonful of honey or add some honey to your cup of tea!
20. Make some comfort food
A great idea for self care when sick is to eat some comfort food. Have a warm bowl of soup or any other food that you find comforting and soothing when you aren’t feeling your best.
21. Take a break from social media
Social media and news consumption can start to feel exhausting and add stress to our life. When you’re sick, you might have more time than you normally would and be tempted to scroll through social media even more.
However, I encourage you to use this time as an excuse to take a break!
22. Sleep in if you can
If you can, sleep with no alarm. At the very least try to sleep in a little longer than you normal do for a treat. Get in that much needed rest, girl!
23. Get under a cozy blanket
An important part of recovery when you’re sick is to be cozy and stay warm. Get under a cozy blanket and relax.
24. Limit screen time
Looking at screens like your phone can cause you to strain your eyes and exacerbate certain symptoms like a headache. If you can, limit your screen time. Try reading a book or doing a puzzle instead.
25. Use a humidifier
Using a humidifier when you sleep can be helpful while sick because it will help you moisturize your nasal passage and sinuses.
26. Gently exercise if your symptoms are above the neck
If you’re symptoms are above the neck, it’s typically recommended to try some gentle exercises to help clear your sinuses. Try a gentle walk or elliptical.
For sickness below the neck, skip the workout and stick to rest and recover!
27. Turn off notifications
Another great idea for self care when sick is to turn off notifications. Don’t let yourself get overwhelmed by notifications, texts, emails, etc. and just focus on you and your recovery.
28. Treat yourself to some take-out
Feeling sick? Let someone else do the cooking! Treat yourself to some take out and don’t worry about you cooking dinner for the night.
29. Wash your sheets
There’s nothing better than a fresh set of sheets. Especially if your sick, washing your sheets is a great form of self care.
30. Accept help
If you struggle to accept help normally, try your best to at least accept help from others while you are sick. Leaning on your support system will allow you to get the rest and recovery you need.
31. Do some breathing exercises
Relaxation is very important when you’re sick. A great way to quiet your mind and relax is to do some breathing exercises.
Take deep breaths in and out, allow your lungs to fill with air completely and then releasing the breath.
32. Dress for the weather if you leave the house
If you are leaving the house when sick, be sure to dress for the weather. If it’s cold out bundle up and stay warm so you don’t make your symptoms any worse.
33. Take things off of your to-do list
Another important idea for self care when sick is to reduce your to-do list. Prioritize your health and recovery, and let go of non-critical items on your to-do list to make more time for rest.
34. Be patient with yourself
Lastly, one of the most important self care ideas to do when you are feeling sick is to be patient with yourself. Recovery does not happen in a few minutes, it will take some time.
And once you start feeling better, it can take a little bit of time to get yourself back to where you were before you got sick.
Those are the 34 ideas for self care when sick.
If you have low energy or don’t feel your best, then it’s natural for self care activities to fall off your radar. But when you’re sick is a time when you could benefit from self care the most.
Self care when sick might look different than normal – and that’s okay!
Swap out your vigorous exercise routine or massage appointment for a nap and a warm cup of tea.
Use the self care ideas in this post to take care of yourself even when you’re feeling sick.
Comment below with your favorite self care idea to do when you feel sick.
