How to Make Yourself Feel Better When You’re Sick
Being sick can really take a toll on you, making you feel far from your usual self. How to make yourself feel better during common, acute illnesses like the cold or flu? While you can’t instantly cure them, there are several ways to ease discomfort and help your body recover.
One of the best approaches to how to make yourself feel better is staying hydrated—drink plenty of water, herbal teas, or warm broths to soothe your throat and keep your body replenished. Rest is equally essential; getting enough sleep allows your immune system to fight off the illness more effectively.
Another key tip for how to make yourself feel better is maintaining a comfortable environment. Use a humidifier, take warm showers, and wear cozy clothing to regulate your body temperature and relieve congestion. Additionally, eating nourishing foods like soups, fruits, and light meals can provide essential nutrients to speed up recovery.
Ultimately, how to make yourself feel better is about giving your body the support it needs to heal. While time is the biggest factor, small changes in your routine can make a significant difference in helping you feel more comfortable as you recover.
Part1 Relieving Symptoms
How to Make Yourself Feel Better When You’re Sick
When you’re feeling under the weather, knowing how to make yourself feel better can make the recovery process more comfortable. While rest is essential, there are several steps you can take to alleviate symptoms and improve your overall well-being.
1. Stay Hydrated
Drink plenty of fluids like water, juice, or electrolyte drinks to replenish lost fluids and ease congestion. Aim to consume 6-8 glasses of liquid daily, adjusting based on your age, activity level, and climate.
2. Drink Warm Beverages and Soup
Warm drinks like tea, broth, or soup can relieve symptoms such as coughing, sore throat, and congestion. Choose herbal teas like chamomile to promote relaxation or echinacea to help reduce cold symptoms. Adding honey to tea not only enhances the flavor but also soothes the throat and suppresses coughs.
3. Keep the Air Moist with a Humidifier
Dry air can worsen congestion and coughing. Use a humidifier or vaporizer to add moisture to the air. Regularly clean the device to prevent bacteria and mold buildup, which could aggravate symptoms.
4. Wash Your Face with Cold Water
A splash of cold water on your face can help you feel refreshed and reduce the appearance of tiredness. This simple routine can also shrink pores and cleanse your skin, minimizing breakouts that may occur while you’re sick.
5. Blow Your Nose Properly
Clear nasal congestion correctly by holding one nostril closed and gently blowing through the other. This method helps avoid earaches. You can also relieve congestion with hot or cold compresses and saline nasal sprays.
6. Soothe a Sore Throat
In addition to warm drinks, gargling with saltwater every few hours can ease throat pain. Over-the-counter throat sprays, cough drops, and lozenges offer temporary relief. For children, opt for ice chips or popsicles to prevent choking hazards.
7. Use a Neti Pot
Neti pots help flush out nasal cavities using a sterile saline solution. Always use distilled or sterilized water and follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully to ensure safety and effectiveness.
8. Ease Aches and Pains
Over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen can help relieve aches, pains, and fevers. Always follow dosage instructions and consult a healthcare professional if necessary.
By following these 8 steps on how to make yourself feel better, you can alleviate discomfort and support your body’s recovery. While these remedies won’t cure your illness, they can significantly improve your overall comfort during the healing process.
How to Make Yourself Feel Better When You’re Sick (Continued)
Taking care of yourself properly can make a significant difference in how you feel when dealing with an illness. Here are a few additional steps to ensure a smoother recovery.
9. Consult a Doctor or Pharmacist Before Giving Medication to Children
Always check with your child’s doctor or pharmacist before giving them any medication. Children may require different dosages or alternative treatments to ensure their safety and well-being.
10. Take an Epsom Salt Bath
A warm Epsom salt bath can provide relief from body aches, supply much-needed magnesium, and promote detoxification.
- Dissolve the recommended amount of Epsom salt in warm bathwater according to package instructions.
- If you prefer not to take a full bath, soak your feet in a bucket or tub for similar benefits.
11. See a Doctor if Symptoms Persist
For common illnesses like colds, mild flu, or sore throats, a doctor’s visit is usually unnecessary. However, seek medical attention if you experience:
- A cold lasting longer than 10 days
- A high fever (above 103°F / 39.5°C in adults or 100°F / 38°C in infants under 3 months)
- Fever lasting more than 3 days
- Difficulty breathing, persistent coughing, or shortness of breath
- Ear or eye drainage
- Severe pain anywhere in the body
- Stiff neck or rash
- Signs of dehydration (weakness, dizziness, dry mouth, decreased urination)
If you are ever in doubt about your symptoms, it’s best to consult a medical professional for advice.
By following these 11 essential steps on how to make yourself feel better, you can manage your symptoms more effectively and support your body’s recovery. While home remedies help with comfort, always seek medical guidance if symptoms worsen or persist.
Part2 Getting Comfortable
1. Make Rest Your Top Priority
Your health comes first, so prioritize rest and recovery by:
- Canceling any plans and letting family, friends, or work know you’re sick.
- Taking breaks from physical activities and allowing your body to heal.
- Stretching before bed if you feel stiffness from lying down too long—simple in-bed stretches can help ease tension and improve circulation.
The more time and attention you give to self-care, the faster you’ll start feeling better.
2. Set Up a Comfortable Recovery Space
Find a quiet, cozy spot where you can rest without disturbances, such as your bedroom or living room. Keep essentials nearby for convenience, including:
- Blankets or robes to stay warm.
- A hot water bottle for soothing aches.
- Books or movies to help pass the time.
- Plenty of fluids to stay hydrated.
- A cool, damp cloth to reduce fever discomfort.
- A bucket in case of nausea.
Avoid smoking or exposure to second-hand smoke, as it can worsen respiratory symptoms.
3. Take a Warm Shower or Bath
A warm bath or shower can work wonders when you’re sick by:
- Relaxing sore muscles and promoting comfort.
- Moisturizing nasal passages with steam, helping to clear congestion.
- Preparing you for rest, making it easier to sleep.
Afterward, return to your recovery space, wrap up in a blanket or robe, and settle in for relaxation.
By following these 14 essential steps on how to make yourself feel better, you can create a healing environment, manage symptoms effectively, and support a quicker recovery.
Part3 Resting and Relaxing
1. Get Plenty of Sleep
Adequate rest allows your body to focus on fighting the illness. To recover more quickly:
- Take frequent naps throughout the day.
- Aim for 8-10 hours of sleep per night.
- Create a comfortable sleep environment by keeping your room dark, quiet, and cool.
The more you sleep, the more energy your body can direct toward healing.
2. Avoid Strenuous Exercise
While moderate movement can be beneficial, it’s important not to overexert yourself. Follow these guidelines:
- Stick to light activities like yoga or short walks if you feel up to it.
- Avoid any exercise if you have a fever, body aches, or respiratory symptoms (such as coughing and congestion).
Listen to your body—pushing too hard can delay recovery.
17. Minimize Activity and Stress
Give yourself permission to take it easy while you’re sick. To speed up recovery:
- Avoid work and household chores—your focus should be on getting better.
- Engage in low-effort entertainment like watching TV, listening to music, or reading.
- Ask for help from family or friends with daily tasks like cooking or errands.
Reducing stress and exertion will help your body heal more efficiently.