It’s that time of the year again. Flu fighting season!
It seems anyone and everyone either has the flu or knows someone who does. Even one of our friend’s baby has the flu at four months old. Poor little guy.
I wish I could make up a huge batch of my Voodoo Chicken Soup for everyone. But since I can’t, the next best thing is to compile a list of flu-fighting tips and recipes, including my chicken soup recipe.
The first and most important thing you should do when you have the flu is taking care of yourself. Caring for yourself all the time is important but even more so when you’re sick.
You deserve to be loved and cared for. Stop dragging yourself to work. Get some rest. It’s okay to let go for a bit and just take a break while you fight the flu. Trust me, it’s okay. No one will think less of you. And if they do, they don’t deserve to know you.
9 Flu-Care Tips
- Hydration: Your body needs plenty of liquids right now. Water, broth, hot tea, diluted sports drinks and juice are great ways to stay hydrated while you fight the flu. Avoid caffeine, alcohol and soda.
- Rest: Your body is putting all its energy into fighting the flu. Help it by getting plenty of rest. Take that nap when you feel like it even if it lasts all day.
- Love Yourself: Go ahead, do things that help you feel better. Wrap yourself in a warm blanket and say nice things to yourself. Love helps boost the immune system, so take care of you and forget the rest of the world for a moment.
- Stay Home: Forget going to work, school, the gym or wherever. You’re sick. You don’t need to be doing those things. You aren’t your best at them right now anyway, so you risk causing more harm to yourself.
- Listen to Your Body: Listen to your body. If you don’t want to do, eat or listen to something, then don’t. Do what you feel like doing and skip the rest right now. It’s okay to stop and be sick for a moment.
- Take a Steamy Shower: Steam helps open up our system. Whether it’s the stomach flu or the head flu, warm showers help you feel better. Don’t hold back. It’s okay to take more than one if you feel like.
- Watch Plenty of Netflix: Pick a nice comforting movie, listen to music or read a book. When you distract yourself from whatever is bothering you, you feel less sick. Because when you focus on pain, you actually feel worse.
- Take Something for the Pain: It’s okay to use pain meds to help you handle the flu symptoms. See a doctor or get over-the-counter flu meds at the drugstore. You don’t have to be tough right now.
- Eat Tasty Treats that Help Fight the Flu: You probably don’t feel like eating much right now but your body needs fuel to fight the flu. Tempt yourself with yummy morsels of tasty flu-fighting morsels, such as the ones below.
1. Voodoo Chicken Soup
I make Voodoo Chicken Soup for the hubby or anyone around who’s sick. It’s loaded with healthy vitamins, minerals and just plain yumminess for helping to boost your immune system.
2. Superfood Very Berry Popsicles
Ice pops loaded with berries and spinach like in One Lovely Life’s recipe for Superfood Very Berry Popsicles help sooth the throat while keeping you hydrated.
3. The Ultimate Turkey Sandwich
The lean protein of turkey added to the added antioxidants of avocado and vegetables in the Ultimate Turkey Sandwich from Bless this Mess is a great way to help keep up your strength while recovering from the flu.
4. Mango Avocado Green Smoothie
Hydrate and give your system a boost with a Mango Avocado Green Smoothie from Nourished the blog.
5. Garlic and Spinach Spaghetti
Garlic works not only to help boost the immune system but to help with congestion. Try Salu Salo Recipes’ recipe for Garlic Spinach Spaghetti which not only has plenty of garlic and spinach but is gentle on the system while you’re feeling ill.
6. Turmeric Miso Soup with Ginger, Garlic and Tofu
Ginger helps inflammation and might relieve a tummy ache and nausea, especially when paired with the healing properties of turmeric and miso in Vegan Richa’s recipe fro Turmeric Miso Soup with Ginger, Garlic and Tofu.
7. Chai Hot Toddy
The spices in chai combined with tea, lemon and honey as in Baking Mischief’s recipe from Chai Hot Toddy work to sooth the throat, open your sinuses and boost the immune system while the tot of whiskey will help you sleep.
8. Blueberry Banana Smoothie (Dairy Free)
The cool soothing antioxidants of blueberries work with the help of bananas which are gentle on an upset stomach in Delightful Mom Food’s recipe from Blueberry Banana Smoothie.
9. Sweet Pea Avocado Toast
Toast is a great way to get something in your tummy when your tummy just isn’t up to par. Dip dry toast into chicken soup or add mashed sweet peas and avocados for a healthy immune system boost using Crisp & Bliss’s recipe for Sweet Pea Avocado Toast.
Originally published at simplysophisticatedcooking.com on February 22, 2017.