I have always been unusually susceptible to colds, which means I’ve spent a lot of time feeling sick at school. I have sniffed my way through hundreds of lessons, taken maths tests with a throbbing headache and croaked through French oral exams. So if anyone understands how debilitating a bad cold or flu can be, it’s me. The upside of this is that I’ve also become a pro at managing them. So here are some top tips for getting through a bad cold at school.
Stay at Home.
Okay, so this may seem like odd advice in a post about stopping a cold from interfering with your work, but in reality a good day in bed is the best and fastest way to reduce the impact of a cold on your time at school. As a rule, the morning I wake up with a searing headache, sore throat or cold sweats, I take the day off. It’s not fair to make your classmates ill, and if you feel like you’re too sick to work, you’re probably too sick to work.
Rest.
If you’ve had to take the day off school, don’t waste it. A day at home should be spent predominantly in bed, preferably asleep, or doing low effort tasks at most. Why not catch up on some school-related reading, for example? It’s important to do a little exercise too, ideally in fresh air, so try taking a gentle walk around the block. But be sure not to tire yourself out or raise your core temperature, as this can bring on a fever.
Sleep Smart.
Being ill often affects our quality of sleep, at a time when we need sleep more than ever. Sleeping smart is about more than just getting to bed before nine if you’re up at seven the next day – planning is key to a good night’s sleep. When I’m sick, I take a large glass of water, a packet of throat lozenges and paracetamol (I like Night Nurse) to my bedside. That way, if I wake up in the middle of the night feeling awful, I simply take the medicine and fall straight back to sleep.
Medicate.
Having tried pretty much every cold and flu treatment on the market, nothing beats good old Lemsip Max. Take as necessary, and always read the label. I also take Strepsils to school with me for class.
Eat well, drink water.
Concentrate on protein and vitamins. I’m thinking chicken salad sandwich or egg mayonnaise with lots of vegetables, and fruit for dessert. Something delicious and nutritious provides both an energy boost and something to look forward to if you are struggling through morning lessons. Then carry a thermos flask full of hot water, honey and lemon: not only does it taste great, it will keep you hydrated and soothe a sore throat too.
Keep your head down.
Boring as it sounds – avoid too much excitement. Spending break-time in the library may sound dull, but it’s a great opportunity to rest. If you’re sick, the last thing you should be doing is playing football in the playground or getting cold outside. Don’t volunteer to help out in assembly and sit at the back of class – you’re less likely to be asked a question and you can blow your nose without feeling like everyone’s watching you.
Arm yourself with this Sick-At-School Survival Kit:
- Soft high quality tissues, preferably with balsam
- Throat lozenges
- Antiseptic hand cream
- Lip balm
- Paracetamol
- Water bottle
- A scarf
You can’t always stop a cold, but you can stop it ruining your day. With any luck this will do the trick.
By a guest blogger