Building a Sick Day Kit

This post is sponsored by Bayer. To make sure these products are right for you, always read and follow the label.

Ahhh snow.... and cold... and colds... how did we get here again?

Now that the chillier days of the year have arrived, it’s time to be extra vigilant in the fight against those pesky viruses ready to wreak havoc on your health. But if you find yourself in a losing battle against sickness, make sure you’re armed and ready to face it head on.

Here are some ideas for building your own sick day kit, so you can be ready for lots of different types of sick days!

For Tummy Troubles:

- Chamomile tea: Chamomile tea can help ease the pain of an upset stomach. Keep a couple of packets in your kit to help reduce unpleasant cramping .
- Heating pad: We recently realized that we had lost our heating pad in the smoke. The plan is to get a new one before someone has a sore tummy again, so we'll be ready for it next time! They are an inexpensive and cheerful way to sooth and calm your stomach . They also give you that warm comfy feeling that will make curling up on the couch much more pleasant.

For Cold and Flu:

- Tissues: There’s nothing worse than running out of tissues when your nose is leaking like a faucet. Our family always has tissues on hand- in every bathroom, in bedrooms... we're big fans! I like to keep the kind with lotion infused into them ready to pull out when someone is sick. Keep your nose happy with your favourite soft tissues and keep your family happy by leaving the toilet rolls where they belong - in the bathroom.
- Soup packets: No one wants to cook when they're sick (let alone on regular days- ha!) and drinking soup is a great way to make sure you’re getting the liquids you need to stay hydrated.
- Redoxon: Redoxon is a great way to get your vitamin C dose year-round whether you're sick or not, but it's especially helpful when a cold throws off your usual diet. Just one tablet gives you 10 oranges worth of vitamin C*! Redoxon also gives your water a fun fizz and flavour in case you’re getting tired of gulping down plain water all day.
- hydraSense: Clear your nose fast with a hydraSense saline nasal spray for your nasal cold symptoms. Just spray, blow and you’re clear. hydraSense is medicine-free, so you can use alongside your other cough and cold medication. After I discovered nasal rinses, I wondered how I ever got by without them!

For Headaches:

- Keep an over-the-counter pain reliever to help take the sting off your headache.
- Essential oils: While essential oils may not have any scientific claim to healing, a nice peppermint, lavender or rosemary oil can help you.
- Ice pack: An ice pack can help temporarily take the sting off a headache. Wrap the ice pack in a towel or cloth before applying for more comfort.

For Comfort:

For any type of sickness, don't underestimate the things you can do just to comfort someone else in your home!

- Snuggles and Cuddles can go a long way!
- Back Scratch: My kids love when I gently scratch their backs as they fall asleep, or just when they need some comfort
- Lullaby: Whether it's technically a lullaby or not, singing to my kids is one way that I can help them to feel calm when they're struggling
- Read Aloud: Whether you're reading to your kids, or they're reading to a sick sibling, this is a sweet way to spend time together while the sick person just rests with their eyes closed

While many of us prepare for beating sick day symptoms, we often forget to make a plan for getting back on track once the symptoms subside. Here are a few things you can keep on hand to get you back into your regular routine.

Getting Back on Track:

- Aromatherapy diffuser: Nothing can truly rejuvenate your system like a full night’s rest. This may sound simple, but sleep plays such an important role in your overall health by reducing stress, improving mood and increasing energy. Try setting a diffuser 30 minutes before you go to bed, so you can be fully relaxed for a long, peaceful sleep. (I'm putting a diffuser on my wishlist this year for Christmas because we don't have one  yet and I've been wanting one!)
- One A Day multivitamins: When you're sick you may feel like you’ve been unable to eat much of anything, which means you may not be getting the important nutrients your body needs. One A Day Gummies Plus Immunity Support contain zinc and vitamin C to help maintain immune health in a great-tasting gummy.

- Motivational playlist: A great playlist will lift your spirits and get you motivated to start moving again. Try popping your headphones in and boost your energy levels with a solid workout. Whether it be yoga, hitting the gym or going for a jog, a good tune will put you in the proper mindset for a great sweat, so you feel as good as new!


And there you have it – almost everything you need to make sure you’re prepared to fight the good fight, or at least make your sick day more bearable. Remember, if your symptoms are severe or you find they are getting worse instead of better, talk to your doctor about the best treatment for you.

Do you keep a sick day kit at home? Let me know your must-have items!

*Redoxon® is not meant to replace food. 

This post is sponsored by Bayer. To make sure these products are right for you, always read and follow the label.

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