Rest & Recovery: Getting Well

The fever is gone and I've gotten plenty of sleep. I'm still really worn out. The cough is deep and yucky, but not as frequent. The box of tissues is running low (we bought more today). But. Yes, there's a but. I am feeling better. Taking the time to rest and take it easy is really important when recovering from being sick. I had a cold earlier this month, but never really took the time to fully recover. It isn't shocking that I got so sick again so quickly.
I don't want to end up sick again anytime soon, so I'm doing what I need to do to really get healthy.

All of this rest time has given me time to think about the best ways to recover. The most important thing is to think positively. I need to focus on the good. Sure, getting sick sucks, but it also has forced me to take a break from my busy life. It is not easy to slow down when you have a lot going on. My body forced me to, and that was a good thing. When my body slowed down, my mind was given the opportunity to slow down. I'm starting to feel rested. I'm actually ready to get back to work tomorrow.

One of the things I like to do when I need a mental break from life is to read inspirational and motivational quotations. Here is a list of some of my favorites:

Inspirational Quotes About Life

How do you take a break from life? You should come up with ways to relax and de-stress before you need to. That way, you will have a plan already in place when you need rest time.

Feed a Cold, Starve a Fever

Last night, getting ready for bed, I told Michal how weird it was to feel hot and cold at the same time. He said I must have a fever. I didn't think I did because I had taken my temperature a couple of times during the day, with no fever. He took my temperature, and I sure had a fever! I can't even remember the last time I had one.
I fell asleep pretty hard, but woke up at 3AM. My pajamas, sheets, and pillow were soaking wet because I had been sweating all night (hopefully sweating out the fever). I ended up falling asleep again, and didn't get up until 9AM. I was up for about half an hour before falling asleep for another hour! So, I've definitely been getting my rest. I feel a lot better tonight than I did yesterday, but the couch is still pretty nasty.
When I told my grandma a couple of days ago that I thought I had a cold, she told me to feed my cold. I'm assuming this goes back to that saying: "Feed a cold, starve a fever."
How accurate do you think this advice is? Well, if you look at it from the standpoint of food, it is not at all accurate. When you are sick, you should not overfeed or underfeed yourself. Your body needs a lot of rest and nutrients to get better. Whether you have a cold or the flu, you need to eat healthy foods and drink plenty of fluids. The best you can do is listen to your appetite. Being hungry or stuffed will not get rid of a cold, flu, or fever any faster. Starving an illness is a bad idea because it will make it harder for you to recover from your illness.
So, what should you do?
1. Drink plenty of fluids: At least 8-12 cups during the day. You will probably need to drink more if your illness causes you to vomit or have diarrhea, as both of these will dehydrate you. Water will help fight your infection. If you have a fever, the extra water will help keep you hydrated.
2. Vitamin C: I'm a Vitamin C addict when I get sick. It won't prevent you from getting sick, but it sure will help lessen the blow and help you get better faster. You should take 250 milligrams each day for 5-7 days. The cool thing about Vitamin C is that it isn't harmful if you take a bit too much, you will simply pee it out.
3. Soup: There is something about the smell or taste of chicken soup that triggers something in us to help relieve cold and flu symptoms. If you are like me and don't eat chicken, try the Better than "Chicken Soup" Soup Recipe.
4. Rest, Rest, & Rest: That's right, get some rest! Try to skip those over-the-counter products that mask your symptoms, fooling you into doing more than your body can handle. Your body needs rest to get better, so take some time to pamper yourself and take it easy.

Hopefully, you will have a healthy year! I know I can't wait to feel better.

When the Healthy Get Sick

When I was a kid, I loved reading the Babysitter's Club books. One of the characters had my name, but spelled it differently: Stacey. She was from New York City, but moved to the suburbs in Connecticut, where the books took place. Besides sharing names, I immediately bonded with her because she loved New York. In one of the books from her point of view, she described how she was just like one of those t-shirts or bumper stickers that says "I ♥ New York." I grew up in California, but always wanted to go to New York City. My mom never understood my fascination with the city, but I was hooked at an early age. There was one major thing about Stacey, though, that I was not envious of: she had diabetes. She had to take shots and couldn't eat sweets. Obviously, I loved my sweets (which explains why I used to be so heavy).
In one book, she secretly began eating candy. She knew it was bad for her. As the reader, I knew it was bad for her, but I was happy for her indulgences. Until she got sick. She ended up in the hospital. She confessed to her mom about eating all of the sweets. Her mom explained she would have gotten sick anyway, but needed to stop indulging.
Lately, I've felt like Stacey. I know that I haven't been making the healthier choices: more sweets, less vegetables, almost no exercise. Sure, my weight is down and I'm wearing a size 8, but I haven't really been healthy. I've been saying this voyage isn't just about losing weight, but about being healthier. Every time I chose not to go to the gym, I felt like Stacey secretly nibbling at a chocolate bar. Each time I had a sweet instead of vegetable or fruit, I felt like Stacey secretly nibbling a candy cane.
I have my third cold for this year (I mean cold season, not 2008). I just got over a cold earlier this month, now I'm sick again? Me? The one who talks to everyone about being healthy and making healthy lifestyle choices? All I can think about is how I fed the cold by not making healthy choices.
Now that the "healthy" is sick, what happens?
I'm sick of being sick, so I'm really resting today. I've literally taken it easy and rested the entire day. I've also had a lot of fluids (water, tea, and juice) and healthy foods (oatmeal, soup, and fruit). I've also been drinking my special tea that helps relieve cold symptoms. When I feel better, I will get stronger by reincorporating exercise into my life. My mind sure won't be healthy if my body isn't!
How do you deal with getting sick?