Taking time off from work to recover from illness or injury can be tough. It’s hard not to feel guilty about missing out on work and taking a day to yourself, even on days when you really need it.
Whether you are experiencing cold or flu-like symptoms (consider visiting a COVID-19 testing center to ensure you don’t have to worry about any serious complications or the possibility of exposing your loved ones) or physical pain like back pain, which is the #1 cause of days off work due to a physical ailment (consider a long term solution to back pain such as stem cell procedures from ThriveMD), sometimes going into work is just not possible. When this is the case, it’s important to take care of yourself on your unexpected day(s) off, to make sure you can get back on your feet as quickly as possible. Here are a few ways to take care of yourself on a day off when you aren’t feeling your best.
Hydrate
Hydration is important for our overall well-being, even when we aren’t sick or injured. You should aim to drink about an ounce of water for each pound you weigh – although many people do not do this every day. If you are taking time off work to care for yourself due to an ailment of any kind, this is the perfect opportunity to try and stay hydrated while you are relaxing and recovering around the house. Try to drink at least 8 regular-sized glasses of water, but aim for more if possible.
Sleep
Equally important as staying hydrated every day is getting a good night’s sleep each night, yet it is another thing that very few people actually do. Most adults need between 7 and 9 hours of sleep every night, but reports show that 1 in 3 adults do not actually achieve this. On your day off, try to fit in at least one nap, and go to bed early. Catching up on sleep is one of the best ways to make yourself feel better.
Take A Hot Bath
Taking a hot bath can help relax your mind and body. The warmth of the bath will comfort you if you are experiencing cold or flu-like symptoms and find it difficult to get warm while relaxing your body and easing aches and pains. This can also be a great solution for anyone suffering from an ailment like back pain, and relaxing your muscles with a hot bath before bed can help you get a better night’s sleep.
Watch a Comforting Show or Movie
An unexpected sick day is a perfect time to catch up on a TV show you’ve been missing or to finally watch a movie you’ve been waiting to see. You can also rewatch an old favorite show or movie, as this is a good way to provide comfort on a day when you aren’t feeling your best.
Put Down Your Phone
Although it is likely that you are bored on your day off, staying glued to your phone and constantly checking your email or checking on other work-related business is only likely to make you feel stressed and will ultimately prevent you from relaxing the way you should. Once you let your boss know that you won’t be coming into work, try to disengage with your workplace communication and keep your overall screentime to a minimum, so you can relax and focus on feeling better.
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