We are in the thick of winter so we are craving more sunlight and warmer temps. For now, however, we’ll have to deal with the uninspired forecasts. In addition to the lackluster weather, we are in a constant battle to keep the cold and flu germs away. And if you have lost that battle, you are not alone my friend. I am here to admit that I recently had a house full of moderately ill little ones. In fact, I too fell ill. And it was horrendous. I was weak and barely dragging myself around while my kiddies had all the energy in the world. Literally, if it weren’t for their runny noses, you wouldn’t have been able to tell they were sick. But as a mama (or papa) you still have to go on. Life doesn’t stop just because you’re sick. So how did I make it through? I’ll share my simple tips:
1. Rest. This may seem obvious to some but there are those out there who will still try to do everything they usually do while they are sick. Listen, your body is trying to heal and repair itself. It’s ok to slow down a bit. You won’t be able to completely stop, especially if you have toddlers but you can at least modify what you would usually do. And speaking of toddlers, communicate with them that you aren’t feeling too well. I did just that with my four-year-old and it helped her to understand why mommy wasn’t as energetic as usual.
2. Get help. Whether it’s a family member, neighbor or friend, you may need some backup. My husband was able to stay home one of the days I was sick and it helped tremendously! Just having another adult in the house allowed me to let my guard down even more. I napped when the kids were up- something I obviously wouldn’t be able to do had he not been there. Getting help could also mean ordering out or having sandwiches for dinner. Again, don’t pressure yourself into your usual way of doing things.
3. Get some fresh air ASAP. Chances are that if you get sick, you’re going to be stuck in the house for a few days—not fun. So as soon as you start to feel a little better, get some fresh air. Even if it’s to just go on your front steps for a few moments—bundle up and enjoy some sun rays.
4. Remember that this too shall pass. When you’re in the thick of the battle, it can seem like it’ll last forever. But before you know it, you’ll be back on your feet like new. So don’t let yourself get down. Go through the process and allow yourself to properly heal.
I hope these simple tips help. They may not change the weather but they’ll keep you going when the cold and flu bug tries to stop you.
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