When it comes to sickness, it can come suddenly and most often at the most inconvenient time. Waking up not feeling right, feelings signs of tension, tightness in the chest, nasal congestion, and absolute exhaustion can leave you feeling clogged and just not right. Often, however, taking sick days from work isn’t usually an option for many, but when it comes to your health, sometimes it may be necessary. The need to support our homes and our jobs should not come at the price of health, so when you’re feeling sick and can’t bring yourself to take that sick day, we’re here to offer you some tips on how to survive that downtime, give your body the break it needs, and care for yourself while sick.
When Should You Take A Sick Day?
Most of us often work hard to have those vacation times, but during times when sickness is on the rise, we’re often reluctant to sacrifice one of those days and turn it into a sick day. The CDC recommends for employees that all should stay home when sick for at least 24 hours, especially if they’re experiencing fevers, vomiting, muscle aches, and fatigue. If workers are at work getting sick, the CDC also recommends employees separate themselves from other employees and head home. Most often, it’s the flu that gets us. If you’re confirmed to have the flu, the CDC recommends at least four to five days until the fever is gone or when symptoms disappear, as the flu is most contagious during the first three days of infection.
The fine line between sacrificing a vacation day and taking a sick day is blurry for many, especially when economic strife hits and families all over the country are pressured to continue working beyond their capacity at the expense of their health. Even as flu seasons come and go, many people often decide to push their bodies beyond their limits to be able to get their paychecks and vacation times. However, working overtime and the impact of today’s workforce has to lead many to have excessive burnout. In the cases of nurses working in the healthcare industry, studies report that excessive workloads increase burnout symptoms, leaving nurses to take sick leave more frequently and lead to detrimental consequences.
How To Care For Yourself During Sick Day
In some ways, sick days are inevitable, but there are smarter ways of taking sick days if you know how to care for yourself. Through these following tips, you can get over your sickness and recover:
- Take Medication: Taking anti-inflammatory medications such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen can help reduce the impact of fever and muscle aches and can aid your immune system in recovery.
- Eat Bland Diets: Eating bananas, applesauce, rice, chicken, and of course chicken noodle soup to avoid aggravating the stomach and get sources of protein and amino acids.
- Drink Water: Hydrating is one of the best ways to recover, as it can help replenish your body’s electrolytes and fight off germs.
With these tips, you’ll be able to survive that sick day and get yourself back in shape, and in cases where you are unsure, speaking with your primary doctor or urgent care facility will be able to help!
