It’s that time of the year again: spring break! sickness. We have all experienced a horrible cold when the timing couldn’t be worse. With spring break only days away and with all the work professors cram in before break, you know it’s bound to happen (Mother Nature’s bipolar disorder doesn’t help either). We all know if you walk into Student Health Services, you will come out with a bag of ice, so don’t waste your time. While many of you can drive home to have your mommy or daddy take care of you, some of us refuse to drive home 4 hours when we aren’t feeling well. Here are a few tips for a quick recovery and to make you feel at home when you “come down with a contagion” (in the words of professor Worcester).
1. Mucinex.
Get this. Take it during the day because it actually does wonders. We have all seen the annoying commercial (Mucinex in, mucus out!), but hey, that little green blob doesn’t lie.
2. NyQuil (liquid form with a LOT of water).
The biggest problem I have personally, is sleeping at night. I (as I’m sure many of you do as well) sit propped up against my wall sniffling and coughing uncontrollably, annoying the heck out of my roommate (sorry Linds!). By taking NyQuil right before you go to bed, you will love yourself (as will your roommate) for taking this gem.
3. SLEEP.
Yeah, do this as much as possible. If you have friends in your classes, ask them to send you notes from lectures. If you have nice TA’s, email them in advance and tell them why you have to miss discussion. If you have a compassionate roommate, tell them to leave you alone so you can sleep. If you don’t have any of the above, then sucks to suck. Kidding. Just sleep.
4. Tissues.
Kleenex with lotion is glorious. Don’t forget the lotion or else you will hate yourself when you are in public with a bright red nose and upper lip (the herpes-look isn’t very attractive).
5. Soup.
If you don’t have cans of soup in your room, make a friend go to the dining hall and fill up a mug or a water bottle of soup. Yeah, they will look like a freak to others filling up a bottle of soup, but that’s what friends are for, right? The best feeling in the world is eating soup in bed.
6. Drink.
Let me rephrase: drink water. Yeah, everyone tells you water is the answer to everything, but it really is. Always have water near you. You have to be hydrated (which stinks for those of us at the end farthest from the bathroom). You will feel better faster with a lot of water in your system, and it helps medicine work more quickly. Being very hydrated also helps your throat not dry out when you can’t breathe through your nose.
7. Television.
You do it at home, right? Watch TV. Watch something that will get you in the zone. When you are in the middle of a dramatic episode of Pretty Little Liars, you are not thinking about being sick; you are only focusing on how you wish you could be Aria so you could date Mr. Fitz. When you aren’t thinking about your illness, you don’t feel sick. It also helps to watch a movie or a show that you have already seen. Why? Because when you are paying attention and aren’t thinking about being sick, it’s easier to fall asleep, especially to something you don’t feel bad missing.
8. Phone.
Call your parents. Hearing your mother’s comforting voice will make you feel at home (even if she has the typical Jewish mother’s loud, obnoxious voice). Call your friends. Listen to what exciting weekend events you missed, gossip, and stories to get your mind off of how you feel.
If you do all of this, you will be back on your feet before spring break! As I lay here in bed with my TV on, lights off, tissues next to me, and my water bottle of soup beside me, I wish you all a speedy recovery and a sick-free spring break!