The ONLY 10 Things To Do When Sick That Actually Work (According to Science!)❤️

Ugh. That tickle in your throat turned into a full-blown symphony of sniffles.

Your energy is at zero, and your brain feels like fuzzy static.

First of all, virtual hug. Secondly, congratulations—you’ve just been handed a forced pause button. Instead of fighting it, let’s lean in.

Here’s how to actually honor a sick day and come out the other side feeling genuinely restored, not just bored.

1.  Build Your Ultimate Comfort Nest

Okay, this is non-negotiable.

Gather all pillows, your softest blanket, and claim the couch or bed as your throne.

Pro tip: Create a “Sick Day Station” on a side table—water bottle, tissues, lip balm, remotes, and that good cough drops.

Minimize getting up.

You are the queen of this cozy castle.

2. Become a Hydration Mastermind.

Water is your new best friend, but let’s make it fancy.

Simmer some fresh ginger and honey for a DIY tea. Or try “sick-day spa water”: warm water with a squeeze of lemon, a tiny pinch of salt, and a teaspoon of honey. Sip, soothe, repeat. Your body will thank you.

3.  The Art of the “Low-Stakes” Watch.

Forget that intense new series requiring brainpower.

Now is the time for the comforting reruns you know by heart—The Office, Friends, Great British Bake Off. The goal is zero stress, maximum nostalgia. Let the familiar voices be your background comfort noise.

4. Audiobooks & Podcasts: Let Someone Tell You a Story.

Your eyes are tired, but your mind is bored. Solution?

Dive into an audiobook read by a voice like warm butter (Stephen Fry narrating Harry Potter, anyone?) or a chill podcast. Try “Nothing Much Happens” (bedtime stories for adults) or a calming nature documentary audio. Just close your eyes and drift.

5. The Phone Call You Actually Want to Take.

Texting can be exhausting.

But a low-key, no-pressure call with a parent, your sibling, or that friend who just gets it? That can be soul medicine.

No need to perform or be interesting. Just say, “Hey, I’m sick and bored, tell me about your day.”

6. Embrace the Guilty-Pleasure Read.

Dig out that dog-eared paperback romance, that celebrity memoir you hid on your e-reader, or even old magazines.

This is a judgment-free zone for literary comfort food. The only rule is it must bring you joy or distraction.

7. Gentle Movement (I Promise, It Helps).

I don’t mean a workout. I mean: slowly stretch your arms to the ceiling.

Gently roll your ankles.

Do five cat-cow stretches on all fours.

This isn’t about fitness; it’s about reminding your stiff, achy body that it’s still alive and cared for. Follow it up with a warm shower just for the steam.

8. The Zen of Simple Tasks.

If you have a sliver of mental energy, use it on something mindlessly satisfying.

Not chores!

Think: organizing your Netflix list, deleting old photos, watering your plants, or sorting that one junk drawer.

Tiny wins = tiny mood boost.

9. Permission to Do Absolutely Nothing.

Seriously. The most radical act of all.

Stare at the ceiling. Listen to the rain. Just be. In a world that glorifies hustle, doing nothing while sick isn’t lazy—it’s essential healing.

Your only job today is to recharge.

10. When in Doubt, Early Bed!

As evening rolls in, lean into it.

A mug of sleepy-time tea, a few pages of your book, and lights out early. Your immune system does its best work while you’re asleep. Give it the gift of extra time.

FINAL THOUGHTS:

So there you have it bestie!

Your sick day isn’t a write-off; it’s a whispered invitation to listen to what your body really needs—slow, soft, and simple care.

Wrap up, sip slowly, and let yourself be gloriously, unapologetically offline. The world will wait. For now, just focus on breathing, resting, and knowing that this too shall pass.

You’ve got this.

Now go hit play on that comfort show and drift off. Feel better soon! 💖