Tips & Tricks to make yourself feel better when you are not invincible.

Hello kind friends,
 
I would like to think of myself as invincible- a person untouchable by sickness. However, I have come to accept that this isn’t the case. We all get sick it’s inevitable. Today I am writing to you sick from my bed.
 
I confess, I started my day feeling sorry for myself. I woke up congested, with muscle aches and a sore throat. As the day went on, I noticed that feeling sorry for myself wasn’t making me feel any better. This inspired me to write this week’s blog on tips and tricks to make yourself feel better when you are not invincible.

Tip 1: Take a shower.
Trick 1: This always works for me. I sprinkle Epsom salts and some essential oils onto the shower floor. These two products work as a remedy when they evaporate with the steam in the shower. This helps clear my congestion and helps me breathe more deeply.
 
Tip 2: Open your blinds
Trick 2: I know you don’t want to do it but the natural light and fresh air can really help. I find opening my blinds makes me feel happier and makes me feel less like a bear in hibernation. Seeing the sun shining helps brighten my mood and inspires me to feel better so I can get back outside. 

Tip 3: Take the rest you need
Trick 3: I find resting to be the hardest part of being sick. I am not a fan of spending my day in bed. However, rest is a key component to healing. Your body needs a chance to mend what is sick and reenergize for the days ahead. To help me rest, I use some sleepy time cream (lavender and vanilla based). Using this cream calms me down and regulates my breathing. By being calmer I am able to fall asleep more easily and stay rested for longer periods of time- giving my body a chance to fully heal.
 
Tip 4: Oil of Oregano
Trick 4: I suggest diluting a few drops of oil into a bottle of room temperature water. For those of you have not tried this before, you might enjoy mixing it with juice instead of water, as the flavour can be intense for some individuals. I have grown to enjoy oil of oregano in my water since I drink so much of it when I am at school in the attempts to stay healthy. It is good practice to use oil of oregano as soon as the initial symptoms begin. I find I feel better after one day of using oil of oregano. It is also a great preventative measure. 

Tip 5: Lots of fluids!
Trick 5: I find homemade ginger honey tea is one of my favourites when I am sick. It provides me with energy that I feel I did not have. It is gentle and soothing for stomach aches and helps with digestion. I cut up some ginger boil it in a small pot of water and add honey and lemon for taste. Make sure you drink lots of water too when you are sick. I find keeping a reusable water bottle close by encourages me to drink and refill more water than if I were drinking out of a glass or disposable water bottle. My mum taught me to write positive words on the outside of my water bottle. This is a great way to keep yourself positive when you are sick. Other things like your favourite stickers or decals can be another fun way to send positive messages to your brain as you drink your water.
 
Tip 6: Put on your favourite movie
Trick 6: Put on one of your favourite movies. I find that my favourite movies make me laugh and smile which can be hard to do when I am feeling so lousy. Movies can also make the time in bed feel like it is going by faster. Some movies can be a great way to help you fall back to sleep. 

Tip 7: Talk to the people you are close with
Trick 7: Talking to the people who bring me joy always help me feel better. Whether it’s a neutering parent, a kind sibling, or a caring partner, surrounding yourself by people who care about your well being will always help. My support network always seem to know the right thing to say to make me feel like I can beat whatever cold comes my way. Who is your support network?
 
Tip 8: Brush your teeth frequently
Trick 8: Keeping a fresh mouth helps me feel clean and less sick. I don’t know about you, but I cannot stand the feeling of a ‘cold mouth’. Keeping a fresh mint taste helps me control nausea and makes me feel more put together.

Tip 9: Stretch
Trick 9: I find when I am sick I get the worst muscle aches. These aches make me feel tired and weak. I find that doing a slow circuit of gentle yoga poses help me relieve pain. Stretching out these aches help me rest more peacefully.
 
Tip 10: Be kind
Trick 10: Be kind to yourself. Understand that your body needs a chance to get better. Try your best to reduce stress, breathe deeply, and rest when possible. Tell yourself positive messages of how great you will feel tomorrow instead of dreading the next few days ahead. Being kind to myself makes a big difference in my recovery time. 

​Although I would prefer not to get sick, I find that when I do get sick it is a chance for my body to reset. I find I replenish my nutrients and start up good habits again. I am excited to return to my apartment in the fall and grow some plants that I can use as remedies to maintain good health. I have been reading this book called Medicinal Plants at Home by Maria Transito Lopez Luengo and Carlota Manez Ariso. This book unpacks the effectiveness of using plants as natural remedies and provides readers with recipes and instructions on how to grow and use the various plants. I cannot wait to plant some of my own at my apartment and expand my knowledge on natural remedies. 

​ I am excited to feel better soon. I hope all you kind krafters are healthy and enjoying your summer. If any of you have remedies you use when you are sick I would love to give them a try.
 
Stay kind and healthy!
Annie