Nobody wants to get sick, but just about everybody will. So why not be ready?
Planning ahead is an excellent form of self-care. A few simple steps now means you’ll be fed, hydrated, and (somewhat) comfortable until the illness runs its course.
The following tactics will also see you through sprains, broken bones, and maybe that surprise appendectomy.
Stock Some Food
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Make sure your pantry is well stocked for when sickness hits. Here are a few favorites.
- Soup is a proven winner: It lasts for ages and doesn’t overcrowd your studio apartment’s “kitchen” cabinets. From basic chicken noodle to elegant bisques, there’s a soup for every stage of illness.
- Applesauce is easy on a sore throat, and the syrup from other types of canned fruits will help combat nausea.
- Plain crackers can also soothe an upset stomach, and are a good way to get peanut butter (or some other protein-rich nut butter) into your system as you convalesce.
As illness recedes and appetite returns, you’ll want something more substantial than consommé. Keep some of your favorite frozen dinners on hand, or shelf-stable meals such as Compleats or Tasty Bites.
Plan Your Beverages
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By all means, drink water! Dehydration is a real possibility, especially if you’re feverish or have been vomiting. Oral rehydration powders or solutions can make tap water more effective (and tasty).
Stock additional drinks, too:
- Bottled or frozen juice
- Herbal tea (hot drinks are so comforting)
- Ginger ale
- Electrolyte replacement beverages
Stash Some Meds
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A cold is different than the flu, and the flu is different than a wrenched ankle. Be ready for anything by stocking everything: decongestants, flu meds, throat lozenges, expectorants, and OTC painkillers.
These meds can be very expensive, but tend to go on sale in early autumn. Watch for sale prices and don’t be afraid to buy the store brand. Bonus frugal points if you use shopping/rebate apps like Fetch Rewards, Ibotta, or Shopkick.
Other useful sickroom supplies: oral thermometer, ice pack, heating pad, and a compression bandage for sprains. Oh, and those “lotion” tissues are totally worth it.
Design Your Sick Space
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Think about where you’d likely spend the most time – bed, couch, recliner – and how you’d set it up for maximum effect:
- A soft, cozy throw plus the pillows from your bed make a sofa or chair much more comfortable.
- If there’s no electrical outlet nearby, go buy an extension cord right now. Maybe a power strip, too, so you can charge more than one device simultaneously.
- You’ll need a small trashc an, since a sickroom littered with tissues and lozenge wrappers is a pretty glum place. Or use a grocery bag to corral the clutter.
Taking Care of Yourself
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Being sick is nobody’s idea of a good time. But it would be a lot worse if “Flu You” had to stagger to the closest convenience store for supplies, or pay top dollar for a delivery service to drop off pills and Powerade.
Here’s hoping you never need this plan but if you do, you’ll be ready.
Read more:
15 Household Items That Can Make Us Sick
Flu in the House? Here Are 15 Things to Clean ASAP
