Last week, the crud that’s going around finally caught up with the Mason household. Whenever I get the bug of the season, I tend to get reallllyy sick, taking weeks to recover my stamina. That’s been the case most of my life, so I’ve learned to take my “sick day protocol” seriously, doing whatever I can to help my body fight back against the invading virus. 

These are the things that have helped me recover much faster than I used to (to the point I am borderline superstitious, ha). Let me know what works for you, too. I love adding things to this list! And, this is your friendly disclaimer that I’m not, in fact, a doctor, but just a gal sharing what’s worked for me. 😉

My Sick Day Protocol 

— As soon as I start feeling a little funny and suspect things may be going downhill, I start taking three doses Coryza Forte and potent Elderberry syrup. The earlier I start taking this when symptoms appear, the better. I make sure we always have these on hand for whenever sickness sneaks up on us, because I’ve found that they truly work! 

— Taylor Dukes Wellness Detox Bath Salt has changed the severity of my sick days (maybe even just in my mind—more on that below). Similarly to above, the sooner I take a detox bath at the onset of symptoms, the better. Minerals from the dead sea and other incredible ingredients help detox out unwanted toxins. 

— Speaking of Taylor Dukes Wellness, I also up my electrolyte intake from one serving to two each day to make sure my body has the minerals and electrolytes it needs. I love that this product (and everything from TDW) doesn’t have natural flavors or unnecessary ingredients.

— I’m very focused on hydration in bouts of sickness, too. Fluids, fluids, fluids! I don’t keep count of how many glasses of water I drink each day, but it’s plentiful. 

— My dry brushing habit becomes a non-negotiable pre-shower ritual. I use my Primally Pure dry brush every day to help with lymphatic drainage (it’s a game changer!), and it’s even more important when I’m sick. I can’t prove it, but I truly believe this helps kick my sore throat and drainage faster. 

— Along those lines, as much as I don’t want to get ready in the morning, I make sure to keep my daily facial routine up. First, it just makes me feel clean and strong and changes the tone for the day. Second, this includes my gua sha which also helps with lymphatic drainage. For the curious: I use this non-toxic facial cleansing bar first (and for the practically minded, I set it on this little dish beside my sink), then I use this clean lotion (so good) with my gua sha. It feels especially good when I’m not not feeling well. 

— Before bed, I do 5-10 minutes of stretching. Again, I typically don’t *want* to do this. But I *know* it’s so good for me and to keep things limber, so I do it. And I typically sleep so much better. 

— I hold my Lumebox red light up to my throat and face for a few minutes and then lay down before bed with the healing red light therapy. This also makes my sleep cycles happy. 

— As much as possible and as often as possible, I try to keep myself moving. Whether this is walking to the kitchen to get water (which can feel like climbing a mountain), willing myself to walk to the end of the driveway, or—after a few days—going around the block a time or two, I try to move around a bit. Staying stagnant isn’t good for the body, and this also helps me reframe my loss of endurance, knowing I’m working bit by bit to help build it back up. This applies more so in the final days of recovery.

— I’ve learned that mindset is everything. I’ve been sick for long periods of time in my life, battling mono for months at a time (multiple times) and navigating autoimmune flare ups. There comes a point in every sickness where I get sick and tired of being sick and tired. The loss of all physical ability is really hard. The longer I’m in bed, the more likely I am to get discouraged or despairing. “Hope deferred makes the heart sick” is one of the lines of Scripture that I’ve seen lived out soooo many times in my life (Proverbs 13:12). I do everything and anything I can to tend to my mindset and thoughts while I’m sick. “I’m going to get through this,” “This is not forever,” “I will feel better soon,” and “I’m getting the support and care I need” are big helpers when I’m out with the flu or whatever virus. There’s so much research that shows our mindset actually has a huge impact on our physical symptoms, too. So telling ourselves that we are going to get better and believe healing is possible means we will likely see that sooner rather than later, and the opposite is true, as well. I could write a book on this subject because I have so many thoughts/experiences on it… but all this to say, I tend to my mental/emotional health just as much as my physical health in this time because I know it’s all connected. 

— Little luxuries and details make a big difference when I feel sickly—even just knowing I’m worth taking care of myself helps my mental state. This includes: fresh (pretty) pajamas every night, brushing my hair, showering as often as I need to feel fresh, lighting a candle, using a pretty bowl or plate for lunch. Beauty and goodness aren’t gone just because I’m sick. These little decisions help me recognize that. 

— Prayer. Really, ultimately, this should be at the top of the list. Because prayer changes everything. I’m not perfect at this (which is why I put it down here, I think), but I offer one-sentence prayers as often as I can or remember. I know God sees me, hears me, and is protecting me, even in my sickness. However, this is one of those fine lines where our spirituality meets our humanity—prayer is the foundation of everything, and yet we were also given a responsibility to make wise choices that impact our health in a positive way. Thus, you see a mixture of physical remedies (supplements, movement, etc.), mixed with mental and spiritual practices, too. In God’s perfect creation, it all works together. 

— If possible, I get outside for a few minutes. It might sound woo woo, but I really believe nature is healing. Sitting in the sun for a few minutes, putting my feet in the grass, or simply feeling the breeze on my skin helps in ways I can’t fully describe. 

What do you do/take when you start going down with a flu/bug? Drop in the comments below! 

Post Scripts

— If you’re wrestling with brain fog, read this.
— Women’s health can be so complicated. It doesn’t have to be.
— The best medicine I’ve found, to date.
— My top “clean” / non-toxic products for my body + our house.
— A pep talk after being sick.

Gift Guide for Your Health & Wellness Gals

The best clean highlighter I’ve found // Lifetime Gua Sha Stone // Tallow Almond + Vanilla Body Butter // Primally Pure Lip Balm (this is the best of the best—and only $6!) // Cleanest & tastiest electrolytes on the market // Flux running shoes (great for running errands, too 😉 // Primally Pure Dry Brush // Non-toxic Tinted Moisturizer—works like a charm! // Non-toxic liquid blush // Gratitude journal to keep it all in perspective // Fun blue light glasses // Non-toxic neutral eyeshadow palette // Magic Mind clean energy & productivity shots // Coffee Mask for brighter skin // Non-toxic candle for all the vibes // Clean mascara—always a great gift to receive!