A couple of weeks ago, while camping in Utah, my boyfriend proposed. Unfortunately, I picked up a nasty bug on the trip, too, so instead of celebrating our engagement when we returned, I spent a week curled into the fetal position. And while my boyfriend — excuse me, fiancé — was sweet and helpful, it was my well-stocked home that really pulled me through.
Getting ill from time to time is inevitable, so you might as well be prepared. Tucking away a few essentials makes a lot more sense than standing in line at the store when your temperature is spiking. Here are a few of my must-haves for when — doctor's orders — it's you and the couch for a couple of days. Do you have any tips for surviving sick time at home?
• Electrical heating pads are efficient, but dozing off with one can cause burns or fires. A hot water bottle will soothe your upset belly or sore back and maybe even ease you into sleep. It's also a treat on a chilly night, especially if it's wrapped in a cashmere cozy.
• I spent three straight days wrapped in wool blankets. If you have the space, a stash of thick blankets will cocoon you in warmth when you're feeling chilled from fever or frosty temperature. The softer and cozier, the better. If you've got something contagious, be sure to clean them when you're recovered!
• It's unlikely you're going to launder your sheets midway through a short bout of the flu, but a fresh pillowcase feels like heaven after a night of sweaty tossing and turning. Even if you're a one-sheet-set person, keep an extra pillowcase or two in the closet. If you're feverish, chill a pillowcase in the freezer for an instant cool-down.
• My next household splurge will definitely be high-quality pillows. That's all I was wishing for as my budget pillow seemed to gradually lose its will to fluff. It was flatter than my unwashed hair, and just as unappealing.
• The last thing you want to do when you're feeling really crummy is run to the drugstore. Sometimes you need relief right now. I keep a plastic box neatly stuffed with over-the-counter meds and herbal remedies for everything from the common cold to heartburn. Every year or so, I throw out the way-past-expired drugs and restock as soon as possible.
• I love having a carafe by the bedside for middle-of-the-night thirst attacks, but it also comes in handy when you're camped out on the couch. A full carafe by day's end will chide you, too. Didn't your doc tell you to drink plenty of water?
• Whenever bathtubs come up on Apartment Therapy, readers seem to fall yay or nay on the relevance of the tub in modern home design. I don't care how outdated the humble fixture becomes (unlikely!), it will always be a high-ranking priority for me. Nothing — and I mean nothing — soothes an aching body like a good soak, especially with Epsom salts thrown into the mix. A hot shower feels pretty fine, too, though.
• Even if you're all about takeout, you should always have a little something in your pantry (cause trust me, chow mein is tough on a tummy in turmoil). Canned soup works in a pinch, but in an ideal world, you'd have a container of homemade stuff in the freezer at all times.
• Since we don't have a TV right now, my laptop helped me cling to sanity when I wasn't sleeping. I don't think I could've made it through without watching the entire first season of The Walking Dead on Netflix (amazingly, my stomach held steadfast through the goriest scenes). Once I was feeling on the mend enough to sit upright, I was insanely grateful for the many magazines piled near my front door.
• My last tip, and this one is totally optional, is to adopt a fluffy golden retriever. It turns out that my crazy pup Quatchi — who usually can't stay still for five minutes — is the best buddy ever, which I finally realized after he insisted on spending every moment curled by my side. Quatchi didn't used to be allowed on the bed. Now future hubby and I have an exception: If we're sick, the dog stays.
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Great post - and congratulations on the engagement!
I think my favorites are the "keep something in the freezer" and "get a puppy." Last time I was sick, I was scrounging for crackers, and ended up making a huge batch of tomato basil soup as soon as I was well enough to be upright. And my cat, who usually would rather be off elsewhere feeling her own feelings, insisted on cuddling with me the whole time. Pets know.
Frozen fruit. I eat a lot of smoothies anyhow, but they feel really good on a sore throat.
Earplugs. The rest of the world doesn't quiet down just because you're sick.
Some heating pads will automatically shut off after a certain amount of time, so you might want to look for one of them.
A humidifier. Dry air makes a head cold so much worse.
Cats work just as well as dogs! Mine are more than willing to keep my company in bed or on the couch if I'm sick at home.
A wide selection of tea (ginger, green, chamomile, mint, and some potent cranberry UIT stuff) and a big teapot are some sicky staples of mine. I find few things more soothing to an upset stomach or stuffy head than a hot drink! And many teas have some kind of thereputic value.
FRESH crackers and boxes of Jello are good 'just in case.' Brown rice with lots of butter and salt is one of my comfort foods; having some cooked brown rice in my freezer at all times is fantastic when I'm sick and don't want to spend 45 minutes cooking up a pot.
Congratulations on your engagement! I too recently became engaged. Isn't it exciting!
I agree with all of your tips. One thing that I especially like to do is to put a fan in the window to get a good cross breeze going through the house. The worst is being in a room that feels stuffy and full of illness.
I have one question for you... Do you know where the blue striped sheets are from that are on the bed in the picture? My new fiance is moving into my apartment in a few weeks and I know he would love that bedding!
I was just sick for a couple of days. I think having a clean set of sheets to change the bed is really, really nice. Also, don't get sick during public radio fundraising week. Although it does put you to sleep.
@ellieslittlefort -- The post that picture comes from says the bedding is Regate by Lacoste.
I survived a recent illness by streaming episodes of 30 Rock from Netflix onto my iPhone...a little easier than a wrestling with a laptop in bed ;)
These are great tips, thanks!
I agree with all the tips, and I would add keeping a stock of ginger ale, crackers, chicken broth, and jello on hand, and a fully stocked medicine cabinet. Pets do know when their owners are ill. I have two cats who normally don't want to be held for more than a couple of minutes. When I'm under the weather, they both stay on the bed with me until I am better.
Agree with all of these, and would add keeping a stock of tissues - the soft kind, with 2- or 3-ply and lotion - on hand at all times. And stock up on the purse-sized packs, too, so when you're ready to take short trips out of the house, you can have some handy.
One other thing: Keep phone numbers and hours for your local walk-in clinic, doctor or medical facility nearby, so you're not scrambling around to find them when you need them. A bulletin board or a fridge magnet works wonders for these things.
@churumbela -- Thank you!
I like the body wraps that Origins sells that you heat in the microwave for a couple of minutes. They come in ginger and lavender scents. Now is usually the time to get them as Origins only seems to stock them around the holidays. I try to keep saltines, ginger ale, chicken broth, applesauce and bananas for any case of the ughs.
Pets indeed know! My kitty always curled up with me when I was sick as a kid. When my daughter was sick and home from school, she could barely focus on anything, just wanted to sleep. I always made her a tray filled with little dishes and dried fruits, fresh fruits and crackers...like a little tea party. She'd nibble at it until it was gone. I never realized how much it meant to her until I saw her doing it with her daughter. She told her the whole story.
Congrats on your engagement! Agree about the bathtub. There's just something about relaxing in a tub after a bout with the flu or an especially rough day that showers just don't offer. And dogs or cats are especially good friends not just during sickness but also with breakups. Not so much now that I'm domestically settled with my guy but there were plenty of times my dog acted as my sounding board during a bad breakup. :)
My requirements: Tea. Apple cider. More tea. More apple cider. Grits and cheese, easy on the stomach. Canned soups, because my coordination with slippery frozen things decreases exponentially with my mental capacity. Fuzzy blankets, extra pillows to prop me up, trusty well-beloved books, and cats.
Congrats on getting engaged! I agree a well-stocked home is important, but don't overdo it! I went to a panel last night about traveling the world and so many people said they came back to their storage spaces literally disgusted with how much stuff they had. That's given me something to think about now that I'm trying to stock/furnish my relatively new, small space.
I like to have Simply Saline in my medicine cabinet, and I want Chicken Noodle Soup and Coca Cola in the pantry.
I demanded my doctor give me a prescription for Tamiflu. By the time one had confirmed one has the flu, it's impossible to get to the pharmacy, and it needs to be taken early. I keep it on hand as well.
Good post.
My cats don't like the tossing and turning but the thing they hate the most is the coughing. They look at me like "what's wrong with you? We're trying to sleep here!" and then they take off...
Great article and great suggestions. They are all common sense to me, but then "Common sense ain't that common" - Will Rogers
when I am feeling ill, its lots of warm liquids to drink: tea and juices. Also crackers, and broths, some soups. Its never fun to roam around the house feeling sick but my little kitty is there for me too.
Audiobooks, my thermometer. Keeping track of my temperature entertains me. Club soda. (Also, last time I was sick, all I could take in was ice water, so I didn't need any food or OTC medications. Ugh.)
Congratulations! You remind me it's time for a flu shot. Afrin works well, but only for three days. Benadryl works well, but is too drying during colds. Quinoa is so soothing it's even used as baby food. My in-laws used to eat those little jars of baby food when ill. Another good thing about dogs and cats is they probably can't catch it. Finally, remove any spiky pulls from your bath vanity. I had the flu, and had to get out of bed to use the toilet. While washing my hands afterward I passed out and fell hard. A spiky vanity pull slit an eyelid on my way to the floor, totally unnecessarily.
I make what we call nuclear soup and pack it into the freezer in pint-sized deli cups, so it's at the ready when one of us comes down with a case of the miseries.
It's essentially a huge pot of chicken & vegetable soup. What makes it nuclear--and medicinal--is that I include the largest onion I can find, a full head of garlic and as much cayenne pepper as we can endure. It's amazing how this stuff will open a completely stopped up head. Here's how I make it: http://www.hungrypassport.com/2008/08/nuclear-soup/
We also keep some lotiony tissues on hand for sore noses, and we burrow under what we call the MFB, Most Favored Blanket, plush and cuddly and a total cat magnet. Those little darlings are the best remedy of all!
Trish, I was going to mention that as well.
Everybody should have a box of Kleenex ready.
Congratulations on the engagement AND on your recovery! I once woke up with 104F fever and my forehead was raw from my cat washing it to cool me down (animals definitely know). I'd add that before you get sick hunt around to see if there are any markets or pharmacies that deliver. I keep a list next to the phone in case I'm sick and I need food or meds, delivery can be a real lifesaver, I've even used it for family in other states when they were ill.
Congrats on the engagement! Talk about a highs and lows.
For those of you with microwaves, I can't recommend the original Bed Buddy enough, a heat pad of sorts which is stuffed with what smells like rice. (Bonus: it can also go in the freezer.) Lately I always have Vick's vapor rub on hand, as well as lots of tea, lemon, and (local) honey. And I try to always keep white rice, crunchy snacks, and seltzer in the house.
When I'm sick, though, good grammar is optional. Ha.
Congratulations to you and your fiancé!
Congrats on your engagement! In sickness and in health right?! Great post - wish I had this a week ago....well two weeks ago so I could have been prepared for my yucky virus! Hope you're feeling better now!
can't emphasize enough the tip for having cold/flu remedies at home just in case.... even better, get a flu shot early in the season. I've had a few nasty head-colds, but I haven't had a flu bug in nearly a decade.
I like to have a thermos bottle (as XL as possible) for my tea. I usually don't have flu or upset tummy, but plain colds and sore throat are my nemesis. I need to drink tons of hot liquids - whoever said that frozen is soothing - I completely disagree with you - and I don't want to run to the kitchen every half hour to make a fresh batch. I literally drink gallons when I am sick and I hate when the tea gets cold.
Also, a good book is a must. I also keep a chapstick handy because when my nose gets to the Niagara Falls stage, I like to apply some as my nose is all sore from all the tissues (and I do keep the tissues that contain a lotion in the house all year round, just in case).
When I have a sore throat, I only want hot tea, soup, and lots of popsicles. For stomach things, have Gatorade on hand to replace those electrolytes. Finally, although I usually eat rice that takes a long time to cook, I keep minute rice on hand. I like it with soy sauce once I can eat again. And its good to have some on hand in case that puppy gets a stomach bug.
Perfect timing, as I am on day 1 of being at home with bronchitis. I can vouch for the epsom salts bath.
We always have on hand these flu essentials: a 6-pack of 7-Up, a few boxes of Lipton's Chicken Noodle Soup (not greasy at all), saltines, English Breakfast tea. When my kids left for college, I made sure they had these on hand ("Don't you dare use the 7-Up as a mixer!"). And I totally agree with purchasing the most deluxe tissues you can find! Your poor nose deserves the best.
This is what I like to do when I'm down with a cold (after I've seen the doctor, of course): have a supply of tissues, chicken soup, tea, orange juice, bubble bath, clean jammies, and a supply of good movies on hand (classics, preferably).
yes, chapstick handy; chicken/potato-kale/carrot ginger soups; peppermint tea; homemade ginger/cayenne/lemon/honey brew; and definitely a golden retriever!
doggies are the cure for every sickness! i think they can tell when you arent feeling well ours is always especially sweet and cuddly and clam when one of us in the house is sick.
And dont underestimate take out soup! When im sick all I want is the chicken curry soup from the korean place down the street. And they deliver! Even if i have some home made soup in the freezer I still want that!
I also keep a pot of Vaseline handy to apply to my nosey once it gets all red and miserable.
I usually want frozen grapes, oyster crackers, potato soup, and a Wendy's frosty. When I get to the point where I want a frosty, I know I've turned the corner and will survive.
Finally: A good quality washcloth that can be put on your forehead either hot or cold. And either train your spouse, friends or animal to take it to the bathroom and replenish the hotness/coldness and wring it out for you.
Ha ha @Lori! My mom used to make us Lipton's Chicken Noodle Soup when we were sick, and now it's my go to when I'm not feeling well. Also - rubbing alcohol. I like to fill the basin with 1/2 alcohol and 1/2 warm water and take a quick sponge bath. Hop into clean jammies and back to bed. Sure does relieve the aching muscles and tender skin. Put Vicks Vapo Rub on the bottom of your feet and slip on clean cotton socks before you go to sleep and I'll guarantee you'll feel better in the morning!
Oh, Vicks Vapo Rub, I'd forgotten how our mom used to rub that on our chests when a bad cold made breathing difficult.
vicks idea love that, it works, tea, chicken soup lots of garlic, pepper, ginger ale, warm fuzzy blankies, clean sheets an jammies, mini medicine chest ,tv ,computer, and a good book, some magazines, a nice dark room so I can sleep during the daytime too. and peace and quiet. and my cocker, sadie pooh-bear.
Boroleum (and old-fashioned remedy) for smearing below the nose. It both helps you breathe (eucalyptus) and helps prevent chapping. Also, a sippy cup for beside the bed. It prevents dehydration and spilling.
have day pjs & night pjs - so at least you're not in the same clothes all the time.
My wonderful boyfriend, sent me this article. Yes, he sent me instructions on how to care for myself.....I'm such a lucky girl. Great article....I will certainly use the advice. : )
o, and vicks on the soles of your feet (then socks on) is fabulous...
i definitely need a book for when i am through the worst (no tv while i am under the weather) - and very important: a sleeping mask. i am usually rather sensitive to light when i am unwell.
My honey and I had the WORST tummy bug ever about a month ago and I can definitely tell you that you NEED two pairs of sheets. You don't want to know the details.
Gatorade - diluted 50/50 - is crucial when you're having a hard time keeping anything down. In fact, it was about all I had today until 6pm. Yup, I'm part of the sick crowd!
I keep a can of Campbell's chicken noodle on hand, as illness is the only time I ever want any, and then only to drink from a cup. I also keep a box of illness-only kleenex around, the kind with lotion, though I am thinking this winter we'll try the kind with Vicks in them. What a ridiculous thing to almost look forward to, but there it is. :/
I am currently sick...ugh! I like to have ginger, honey and lemons on hand for days like this so I can brew up some fresh tea. Soda crackers and Lipton's Chicken Noodle Soup packets (easiest when sick) are must haves. I need fresh pj's, my microwavable slippers, lavender essential oil rubbed on the bottoms of my feet and some classic movies. Tonight's showings include When Harry Met Sally and You've Got Mail. I'll be watching these with a bottle of water on my bedside table, thermometer and Elderberry Syrup. It's going to be a long night!
Thank you for all the terrific posts. Right now, I'm kinda bed-bound -- not with ickies or oopies, but with an owwie. I have a torn meniscus. So until I meet with the orthopedic surgeon tomorrow, I'm only traveling from bedroom to bathroom. I am very thankful for my computer, magazines from my d/i/l, and the radio.
Lemon toddy... juice of a fresh lemon, a glob of honey and then pour boiling water over the top. You can also add a splash of dark rum or whisky if you want. Sip it and you will feel better in no time!
@kpaupau... I add some drops of an essential oil like lavender to the washcloth.
My Mom used to glop vicks on the insides of our noses. Not like the chest wouldn't have worked, but that stood out for me! She said her Grandma used to do it, so of course...the weird tradition continues. Once it gets cold I keep "healing cabbage soup" in the freezer, chicken noodle, or just always have chicken base to make a quick broth and drink.
I'm all on board with Vick's rub, cats, and fresh pillowcases.
My other personal sick day necessities include a neti pot, gentle orange tea, ginger snaps, juice bars, and I'm a chicken Ramen noodles girl myself. I use old cloth napkins and get a new one every couple of hours- they're softer on the nose and wash clean, and I have a vaporizer with a well for menthol.
BTW- I highly recommend millet pillows from http://www.pillowcompany.com/ I chose millet over buckwheat because it retains less heat.
Old fashioned canned chicken soup. DVD's. Graphic novels. Anythng funny.
There is a reason this is my Fav blog.
http://acalligrapher.blogspot.com/
Loved reading this - comfort and nurturing abounds. You mentioned blankets - I love the fleece throws (ikea have a stack of them). They're warm, soft and best thing is that they can go in the washing machine and dryer. They're actually not too ugly either (I have two in cream and one in navy blue).
My electric blanket also brings me comfort - it has the choice of a 75 minute timer or a 12 hour timer. I often fall asleep with it on the shorter timer.
This post actually makes me want to have a sick day at home! Being prepared is easier said than done but you should always have chicken noodle soup in the pantry. And yes, there is nothing better than a bath when you're ill.
Just noticed Harry Potter Book 7 on the nightstand. That is absolutely the way to make it through a sick day!
Hot mustard bath, spicy kimchee or take out pho, chicken noodle soup, Reed's ginger beer my favorite pj's, tulsi tea and a collection of 80s classics like Footloose and 16 Candles. Also, my latest knitting/sewing project to keep my hands occupied.
It's so interesting to see what everyone requires on their sick day. I'm prone to strep throat, and I always get the same thing when I'm at the drugstore or grocery store picking up my antibiotics -- Spaghettios, vanilla ice cream, chicken soup, and bananas. When I get really bad strep throat, I can barely eat anything, mostly just bananas. If I only have a sinus infection, then I also pick up orange juice (but I can't drink that with strep).
I also need layers of clothes by my bed when I have strep because my fever changes so much that I can go from being so hot that I can only wear tank tops and PJ shorts to being so freezing that sweatshirts, sweatpants, and duvets aren't enough to keep me warm.
Your engagement story is actually funny because I actually got strep throat the week before my now-husband took me to NYC to propose. He was panicked that I wouldn't get better in time. Then, fittingly, I also got strep throat a year later, the week before our wedding. I lost so much weight that my dress was too big.
Better too big than too tight. You should see my sister-in-law's wedding photos taken days before her baby arrived--a long story and an old one. Although the kid is grown and the family can laugh about it now, at the time strep throat would have seemed easier.
Just recovering from bronchitis, so:
- Clean sheets and pyjamas. If you're too sick to shower, it's nice to feel clean once in a while.
- Ginger tea. Lots of hot stuff for your throat.
- Take-out soup from that divey place down the street. You know the one.
- A space heater.
- Lots and lots of sleep. Just make yourself as comfortable as possible, and it'll happen.
My cold necessities:
When I have a cold I prefer hot & sour soup to plain old chicken. Ordered in is perfect but even a freezer version is okay.
And for the tender, chapped nose (even when using the fancy tissues!), try using the highest zinc level diaper rash creme you can find. A coworker turned me on to this and now I keep some around and it soothes my raw nose even better than vaseline.
Plus, of course, the entire season of Firefly (+ Serenity) on dvd!
I always have cans of chicken broth in the pantry. Simmer. Add Pastina and twirl in a beaten egg. Pure comfort.
This post cracks me up. Surviving for me would be BEING home, for starters, and with someone to tend kids and house.
This is so totally a post for childless folks who can take time off easily. Nothing wrong with that, it was once me! But these are good times you're having, people.
'Surviving'. Hee!
Oh, P_Capucine, there are no "sick days" for a freelance writer dependent on meeting deadlines for a paycheck. Time is not easily taken off for some childless folks, either. Also, I can't remember the last time I was quite so violently ill for so long. Trust me, it was more than a case of the sniffles. If I had kids, I would've had to call in the cavalry.
When I was growing up our routine for tummy bugs was to pop in "The Witches," and then stick to the Brat diet: Bananas, rice, applesauce, toast sans condiments with a side of 7up.
These days, I like:
+ (not mentioned) A new toothbrush on hand for when I am back at 100%.
+ Juicer Remedy: 2 peeled lemons, thumb sized ginger, 2 garlic cloves, 1 apple, 1 pear, honey and hot water.
+ Homemade chicken noodle soup or vegetable soup because it is wonderfully nourishing. I also like mushroom broth for its heartiness.
+ Herbal Tea and water.
+ Lavender essential oil on the soles of the feet.
+ 3 cats to love me.
+ A laptop, netflix, my "The Witches" dvd.
+ Clean pajamas, robe and sheets.
+ Slippers (it makes me cringe right now to imagine putting my sensitive, feverish skin on cold hardwood floors).
As a side note, most modern electric heating pads automatically switch off at some point.
I almost forgot...
It's terrible to be sick, but it's unusually cruel to be caught off guard with something awful in the summer time. When I am sick, I like the weather outside to mirror my misery, not challenge my ability to sleep with bright rays of sunshine and cheery laughter in the distance.
I have cats and I always refer to it as "kitty healing magic." I swear having a cat or two on top of you when you're feeling ill will make you feel better.
I also swear by orange juice when I'm under the weather. Good for sore throats, sniffles, and lots of vitamin c to help you get better!
Over the knee cotton socks, Belvoir ginger juice, thick wool/cashmere blankets, pretzels, fruit, lean cuisine meals that take 3-6 minutes to cook, frozen chicken veggie soup, frozen,organic burritos, pepp and ginger and rooibos teas, heated water pad, movies, magazines, home made salves for colds or sore muscles made with eucalyptus, ginger,lavender, thyme, menthal and cloves.
how about books? Unless I have a blinding headache, or when I've maxed out on TCM, I just pick up a book. I find old detective stories that i've already read to be just the ticket!
Yay for the Harry Potter book on the picture¡¡
For me its box bread (toasted), and lemonade with sugar and salt, i keep track places nearby that sell good chicken soup.
family, friends and your head doctor number on speed dial are a absolute MUST
A Good Book! And a kitten will work just as well as a puppy :)
Decent tissues not tp or paper towels for your nose. Vaseline for your chapped nose. A cold washcloth for your forehead. Tiger balm for body aches. Peppermint oil for congestion.