This post is sponsored by Tiesta Tea. This post also contains affiliate links. All opinions are my own. Read my disclosure here.

Last year around this time, I wrote about ways to avoid getting sick. If you’re anything like me, you do everything in your power throughout the year to prepare yourself for cold and flu season. 

But nevertheless, sometimes the odds are not in our favor and we end up getting sick anyhow. The worst. I recently had strep throat (what 31 year old with no kids gets strep throat!?) with a cold that followed. There were a few things I did that helped me feel better ASAP and ultimately got me to getting over my sickness. If you’re feeling under the weather, have no fear – I got you! 

Note: I am obviously not a doctor and these are just things that have worked for me 🙂

Rest & Get Lots of Sleep

I don’t know about you, but I’ve found that I am more susceptible to getting sick when I’m not consistently getting enough sleep. When I do fall ill, there’s nothing I want more than to sleep. Be upfront with your manager and your team and see what coverage you can get from work to allow yourself to truly rest. Our bodies need rest and quality sleep to fight off whatever illness we have, so make sure you’re not running yourself into the ground while you’re sick.

Stay Hydrated

I already drink a ton of water as it is, but I force myself to drink even more when I’m sick. I envision it flushing out all the toxins and bacteria that I have when I am sick. If plain water isn’t your thing, you can get some water flavor enhancers, like these (my husband, Adam, loves them!). 

Cozy Up with Tea

When I’m sick, the only thing I really want to soothe my throat and to make me feel better ASAP is a cup of hot tea. Last year, I discovered a tea that has quickly become my all-time favorite and it’s what I’m always reaching for, especially when I’m sick. Tiesta Tea is a Chicago-based loose leaf tea company and their tea is by far the freshest and most flavorful I’ve ever had.

Tiesta Tea has five functional categories based on the health benefits that each blend naturally gives you, and one of them happens to be Immunity. Lucky for me, Maui Mango, one of the Immunity blends, happens to be my favorite flavor. They also have a sampler set so you can try a variety of flavors. Drinking their tea not only makes me feel better, but it also fuels my body with the vitamins and nutrients that it needs.

Take Vitamin C

Besides the obvious of medications to take when you’re sick, another thing I do is take vitamin C, either in pill form or tablet form (where you put into a glass of water). This is good to prevent getting sick, but it can also help to fight off an infection while you’re sick and is great at boosting immunity. 

Use VapoRub Ointment & Nasal Spray

Every time I get my Vick’s VapoRub out to use, Adam and I always think about that Friends episode where Monica is sick and tries to seduce Chandler with her vapor rub (hahaha). All jokes aside though, the stuff actually works! I typically put the ointment on at night before I go to bed because that smell is pretty potent! I put it the ointment on right under my nose to help with congestion (which I don’t think is recommended, but I still do it anyway), as well as my throat and chest to help alleviate my coughs. My mom also told me this trick to put it on the bottom of your feet, as that’s also supposed to help alleviate coughs. Don’t knock it until you try it! 

Another product that I swear by is nasal spray. When I’m congested, all I want is to be able to breathe normally again. Nasal spray to the rescue! It instantly clears my nose and makes me feel better ASAP. 

Take a Hot Shower or Bath

When I’m feeling icky, I find taking a hot shower or bath always makes me feel better. I find the steam from the shower helps with congestion, whereas a bath makes me feel more relaxed. If you opt for a bath, you must check out this luxurious stress relief bubble bath from Bath & Body Works. It’s one of my favorite scents from there and this bubble bath in particular makes your skin so soft. While you’re at it, you may as well add these bath bombs too! 

Diffuse Oils & Light a Candle

Usually when I’m sick, I’m pretty down in the dumps and not feeling very motivated. To help in boosting my overall mood, there’s two things I like to do: diffuse essential oils and light a candle. Diffusing oils can help in supporting your physical wellness and inspiring a positive emotional state. I’m a big doTERRA fan.

When it comes to candles, I don’t know what it is – the glow they emit or the smell that fills up a room – but they just make me plain happy. My two favorite brands of candles are Bath & Body Works (this Rose Water & Ivy one is so good) and Capri Blue Volcano. 

Here’s to hoping you feel better soon! 

Kelly Nash

Kelly Nash is a Chicago-based writer, career coach, speaker and founder of Lipstick & Ink®. She also works full-time in technology as a Role Strategy and Employee Engagement Manager at Salesforce and has over 12 years of digital marketing experience. Kelly has been featured in Thrive Global, Chicago Tribune, International Association of Women, General Assembly, Salesforce, and SheFactor. She’s fueled by black coffee, sunshine, a good ink pen, and a bold lip.