It’s ironic that I got sick the same week I started my “wellness” blog.

October was a crazy month; two deaths in the family, a whirlwind contract that took up all of my time, and four parties for Halloween (my favourite holiday).

I’ve written this article 3 times. One, when I saw everyone around me getting sick and I felt run down, I started a blog on how to prevent getting sick. Two, when I got sick because I didn’t take my own advice and was trying to get over my cold.

Now, I know I’m battling the flu. I had three meetings and an important memorial service to get to - I definitely couldn’t be coughing and sneezing my way through them.

BUNKER DOWN

Maybe I’ll write my “Prevent Colds” article later, but right now let’s talk about survival. If you have kids, you don’t get a day off from being a parent. Dogs still need to be walked. Sick time only accrues so fast. Life goes on.

The best thing you can do for yourself when you have the flu is sleep and drink lots of fluids. I know it sounds very low tech, but try and rest when you can. When I worked in an office, had a huge project and the flu in the same week, and couldn’t stay home, I made do. I brought a thick sweater, my Zojirushi Travel mug full of tea, and a blanket. On my breaks, I turned off the lights in my office and took naps.

I work from home now, but it doesn’t mean I get to stay in bed all day. I have video calls that need me looking sharp, in-person meetings I couldn’t cancel, pictures that need to be taken, etc. I make sure to take naps when I can, go to bed early, and skip extra outings like karaoke and coffee dates.

DROWN IT

I drank lots of these two teas: (one has Chamomile that makes me sleepy, and one doesn’t have Elderberries). I also recommend getting this Sampler Box of tea, each with its own purpose (if I have a sore throat I use Throat Coat, Breathe Easy for congestion, etc). Since I did a lot of pre-care to prevent being sick (article coming soon), I didn’t get hit as hard in one particular symptom so I stuck with the Echinacea.

Like I said before, my Zojirushi mugs were always full! Take a travel mug and tea bags with you everywhere, even if it’s empty. You never know where you can snag some hot water (and maybe a fresh lemon). Use the office coffee machine, bring a kettle with you. I’ve ran into a coffee shop between appointments and asked them for hot water, which they will usually give for free. One day this week I had lunch at a sushi restaurant and asked them for hot water with a lemon, and dropped some of their pickled ginger in it. Voilà!

In the mornings, I added ½ decaf into my espresso roast - you want to limit your caffeine while also preventing a withdrawal headache. Try to go down gradually. You can eventually switch to some Earl Grey Tea with a tiny bit of sugar and some non-dairy milk.

Soup also helps. And NOT from a can!!!  Make a bone broth by combining the bones of a chicken and chicken feet (yes, chicken feet) with Apple Cider Vinegar or lemon. Or you can get this Bone Broth* and drink it throughout the day. I made a duck bone broth soup with some lemon juice, zucchini, garlic, and fresh ginger.

Drown yourself in baths as well. Every night, I made a sick-person bath: Epsom Salt, drops of Eucalyptus, Lemon and Lavender, tea bags, and a tiny bit of Coconut Oil.

GOLDEN MILK

On day Three, I woke up coughing so hard I threw up! I knew I needed to get rid of this cough, even though all my other symptoms (headache, runny nose, sore throat) were going away. Time to break out my secret healing weapon: GOLDEN MILK!!!

Golden Milk saved me from Pneumonia that I had so bad, a lump formed in my neck! I had walked in the rain for 3 hours for the 2015 San Diego Pride Parade til I got compliments on my “blue lipstick” (that I wasn’t wearing).

My Golden Milk recipe is Coconut Milk, Turmeric, Ginger (I used fresh grated ginger with the powder). Sometimes I add Honey* if I have a sore throat, but I didn’t this time. Others add Black Pepper, Almonds, Nutmeg, Cayenne Pepper, and/or Cinnamon (Disclaimer: I omit some of these because I’m allergic but they can be helpful).

Golden Milk saved my whole day for the memorial service, and then again for three meetings in one day!

*Disclaimers:  The only soup flavour I can have is the Turkey, but most people want the Chicken when they are sick. I can’t drink the Chicken (and Beef) flavours because I’m allergic to them.  I also use their other soups and non-dairy milks and love the company, though. Also, get local honey whenever possible.