How the common cold ruined my week...and what to do about it!
So there I was, ready to make the most of my time alone to get work done, when lo and behold, a round of house cleaning made me start sniffling and a bowl of potato chips made my throat itchy.
This happened over the next few days, and serves as a template/precursor/warning for anyone feeling a mild flu or full-blown cold sneaking up.
MON
scratchy throat
TUE WED THU
bedridden with the chills, fever, loss of voice
FRI
weak but able
SAT SUN
tired but out and about
MON TUE WED
gradually back to normal, with my appetite and energy improving
So dear friends, do not panic if you experience these symptoms. Your only means of escaping the stranglehold of the illness is to GO TO BED UNDER WARM BLANKETS FOR AS LONG AS POSSIBLE, having drunk plenty of warm water throughout the day/night and each time you get up to relieve yourself.
If you do exactly that, you might fight off the infection and feel better in a day or two. Otherwise, do not be surprised or panicky if it takes 7-10 days (as described above) for you to feel like your usual self.
Preventive tips
1. Drink as much water as you can, as frequently as you can.
2. The common cold is a viral infection, so the antibiotics usually prescribed are not going to help. Non-drowsy cough mixture and runny nose tablets may make it more bearable at work. Your best friend is SLEEP.
Not really helpful
3. Think HAPPY THOUGHTS. This sounds impossible, because the illness brings out thoughts of despair, loneliness, vulnerability and low self-worth, since you pretty much have to give up your strength and independence, and even reading a book becomes an exercise in agony. But hear me out--it's tremendously important because you will recover
4. Eat nutritious food. It doesn't only mean giving up your favourite snacks and staples, but it's a great time to evaluate what you feed your hardworking digestive system. If you ensure every meal contains some carbs, some protein (whether plant- or animal-based) and some veg and fruit, you'll do just fine. It's simply a habit that needs to be cultivated.
5. Avoid passing it to your family members. Sleep in a separate room if possible. When you head out for appointments, be like the Japanese and wear a face mask. It's polite and reduces the risk of infection for yourself and for others.
Everyone looks good in a face mask.
This happened over the next few days, and serves as a template/precursor/warning for anyone feeling a mild flu or full-blown cold sneaking up.
MON
scratchy throat
TUE WED THU
bedridden with the chills, fever, loss of voice
FRI
weak but able
SAT SUN
tired but out and about
MON TUE WED
gradually back to normal, with my appetite and energy improving
So dear friends, do not panic if you experience these symptoms. Your only means of escaping the stranglehold of the illness is to GO TO BED UNDER WARM BLANKETS FOR AS LONG AS POSSIBLE, having drunk plenty of warm water throughout the day/night and each time you get up to relieve yourself.
If you do exactly that, you might fight off the infection and feel better in a day or two. Otherwise, do not be surprised or panicky if it takes 7-10 days (as described above) for you to feel like your usual self.
Preventive tips
1. Drink as much water as you can, as frequently as you can.
2. The common cold is a viral infection, so the antibiotics usually prescribed are not going to help. Non-drowsy cough mixture and runny nose tablets may make it more bearable at work. Your best friend is SLEEP.
Not really helpful
3. Think HAPPY THOUGHTS. This sounds impossible, because the illness brings out thoughts of despair, loneliness, vulnerability and low self-worth, since you pretty much have to give up your strength and independence, and even reading a book becomes an exercise in agony. But hear me out--it's tremendously important because you will recover
4. Eat nutritious food. It doesn't only mean giving up your favourite snacks and staples, but it's a great time to evaluate what you feed your hardworking digestive system. If you ensure every meal contains some carbs, some protein (whether plant- or animal-based) and some veg and fruit, you'll do just fine. It's simply a habit that needs to be cultivated.
Don't all these colours look delicious?
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