When we get to a certain age, most of us can start to recognize the signs of an oncoming illness. Symptoms vary from person to person – you may feel overly lethargic, or you may start getting a sore throat or suffering with aching muscles (like I have all week). Knowing that you’re about to get sick can be incredibly disheartening, especially if you know full well you have a busy few weeks ahead.
Illnesses such as the flu and the common cold may come around fairly regularly, but that doesn’t make them any less unpleasant. Every busy mother would probably agree that they simply do not have the time to be unwell, which is why when these signs start to appear, many of us go rapidly into panic mode. Ironically, becoming stressed about your potential impending illness can make things worse, as our immune system is naturally weaker when we feel under pressure. The important thing to do is to stay calm, and try and look at the situation practically. Here are a few things you can do if you think you are getting sick, to try and ward off any sickness and also to help you cope better if you do feel under the weather.
Get plenty of rest
Attempting to go about your daily business when you think you are becoming unwell is a big no go. You may think that unless you are physically bed-bound, there is no excuse for not simply carrying on as you were. But in reality, you could be doing both yourself and others a disservice by continuing in your daily routine. Firstly, this is because you could be unknowingly contagious, as many illnesses can hop from person to person even before true symptoms start to show. Secondly, if you are exhausted, you could end up becoming much sicker, which could lead to you having to take a lot of time off work and away from your kids. Taking two days off initially to rest and recuperate is better than becoming run down and having to take two WEEKS off instead.
Boost your immune system
Our immune system is what keeps our bodies ticking over, and what protects us against infections and viruses. Once you have caught a virus or you have become ill, there is no immediate dispelling of it. But you can take action to boost your immune system and get the illness out of your body as soon as possible. Consider some immune-boosting capsules such as eating healthily – your body will need all the nutrients it can to fight the virus or infection.
Visit your doctor
Even though you may think you know your symptoms like the back of your hand, remember that you are not a health professional. If you feel worse than you do normally when you are a little run down, or if your illness lasts longer than it usually does, visit your doctor as soon as possible. Chances are it’s nothing, but getting a second opinion can always help to put your mind at rest – and sometimes, prescribed antibiotics can help you wave goodbye to your illness once and for all.
