These are the things I always like to have at home just in case the dreaded flu strikes.
Flu season – that time of the year when we just know that the bugs are circulating. Kids go back to school, a colleague starts sniffing and the air conditioning does the rest. Sometimes it is just a sniffle but then again it could be full-blown flu. Aches and pains and a seriously red nose.
There isn’t a quick fix for colds and flu, but there are a few things that I think are essential for getting through a dose.
- Good quality tissues – the ones that have balsam in them. It really does make a difference. My advice is to have a stash of a few boxes hidden away just in case.
- Honey and lemon. Good local honey has all sorts of healing properties as does lemon. I make up a drink of lemon, honey and hot water and keep it beside me. It is antibacterial and really is very soothing and helps sooth a cough.
- Orange juice. I crave orange juice when I am sick. It is like a glass of sunshine. I am sure that the Vitamin C helps to heal and ward off further bugs, and the sugar gives you a bit of energy to get a few things done.
- A good book – you need to rest when you are sick. Rest really does help healing so give into an early night and go to bed with a good book. You deserve it. I am currently reading Thrive by Arianna Huffington on my Kindle.
- Essentials oils. I love my essential oils and they are great when you struggling to breath. My go to oils are eucalyptus, and peppermint. I add a couple of drops to water in a burner and keep it beside me. When my son was young I would dab a few drops on his pyjamas and send him off to bed breathing easier. A drop of lavender will also help sleep.
- Elizabeth Arden 8 hour cream. This is seriously magic stuff. It fixes all sorts of things but can also go a long way towards preventing a red chapped nose – so often the side effect of a head cold.
- Your choice of decongenstant – my current favourite is Uniflu which works for me and doesn’t conflict with other medications I take. I have no medical qualifications but I do think that dealing with the symptoms helps.
- And finally tea. Honestly I always have tea in the house as I am addicted, but when I am blocked up I tend to reach for herbal infusions or my new favourite Solaris green tea chai.
Finally my advice is to be kind to yourself. Taking time to rest and recharge is what your body is asking for. Rest while you can. Treat yourself to the chocolate biscuit with your tea. Say thank you for the TLC and get well soon.
Thanks for reading x
Kerry
