Surviving Sick Days
- Sickness is inevitable, but stress doesn’t have to be
- When and why it’s important to listen to your body
- Ways to juggle illness and your regular parenting duties
Plan to Get Sick
Of course there’s no way to predict exactly when you’ll get sick, but you can have a plan in place for the unfortunate occasion. Maintain an up-to-date list of all your necessary contacts. Important contacts include your employer, your children’s school administrator, sport coaches, carpool parents, babysitters, doctors, etc. Most people keep their contacts organized in a cell phone, but your list should be readily available to your family members too. Make sure your spouse and older children have access to this information, because the flu can hit hard. You’ll be glad to delegate all the phone calls and rescheduling.
Don’t Ignore Symptoms
Many people are scared to miss work. When they feel themselves getting sick, they ignore the symptoms and postpone proper rest until the weekend. But your body needs more sleep when it’s trying to fight an illness. So use your sick days responsibly. Employers would rather have you return to work when you are at your best (and not contagious.)
See Your Doctor
Don’t assume that you can “sleep off” your illness. If you have painful symptoms for several days, or if you’re running a high fever, you may have an infection that requires antibiotics. Your doctor can also advise you on the best course of action for your specific condition. This is better advice than anything you’ll read on a medical website or a cough syrup bottle. It’s true that doctor’s appointments are sometimes inconvenient and difficult to schedule, but you’ll be saving time in the long run.
Focus on Recovery
Some busy moms have trouble sitting still – even when they’re sick. A day off from work might seem like a good time to catch up on housework or personal emails, but neither is a good idea. When you’re nursing a bad cold, it’s best to stay in bed, where your body is warm and relaxed. Lying down will encourage you to nap, which is better medicine than newfound time on Facebook.
Call in Reinforcements
Everyone needs help from time to time, so don’t be afraid to call in some favors when you’re sick. Let your neighbors watch your kids for the afternoon. Ask a friend to drop off necessary groceries or cold supplies. Ask a co-worker to walk your dog. More often than not, people are glad to help. And they’ll be happy to let you repay the favor, somewhere down the road.
Stay Hydrated
Even if your throat feels like you are swallowing razor blades, drinking fluids is a sure way to speed up your recovery. Good, old-fashioned water is the best medicine for dehydration. And water allows your immune system to function properly. If you have a stomach bug, juices and sports drinks can replenish necessary electrolytes.
Allow Yourself to Be an Imperfect Parent
When you’re sick, it’s okay to cut yourself some slack. Take the easiest road possible. If your kids have fast food for several meals in a row or watch television all day long, that doesn’t mean you’re a bad parent. Certainly, these are not your ideal parenting strategies, but being sick is not an ideal time. You can ease some of your anxiety if you explain to kids that these allowances are not a change in household standards. You might even bargain for their best behavior by explaining that you’re under the weather, and that these “treats” are their reward for letting you rest and recover.
Pull Out Your Arsenal
You can fight off many illnesses with practical, proactive measures. For example, you can attack nasty germs with extra vitamins, minerals, and a healthy diet. Warm showers can help to relieve congestion, and hot tea is great for sore throats. You should also disinfect germ-spreading areas, like bathrooms, doorknobs, and kitchen sinks. The last thing you need is to spread your sickness to a family member.
Take It Slow as You Recover
You may wake up one day after being sick, and suddenly feel remarkably better. You may be tempted to resume your usual pace, or try to play catch up. Don’t overdo it! Even though you feel better, you’re probably not completely healed. When it comes to fevers and colds, it’s common to rebound and relapse. So build your recovery in small doses. Try a half day at work instead of a whole day. Skip your exercise routine and any late night programs you normally watch. You can’t go wrong with extra sleep and low-stress days.
Jennifer Applin is a freelance writer and will soon be the mother of six young children born within a 5-year span. Her writing focuses on strategies for busy parents to juggle it all.
Comments for Surviving Sick Days:
0 comment(s)