What to Do When You Get Sick

Last week’s blog coveredfoods, ingredients, and recipes that can boost your immunity, but what should you do if it’s too late and you’ve already come down with something?

We all have our go-to medications when we get sick, but it's important to remember that they often only help alleviate the symptoms of viral infections and may not actually help your immune system fight the infection. 

When you're sick, you have to make it your responsibility to beat the virus. There are plenty of things you can do to ensure you come out on top. 

Considering the current state of the world, it's important to remember there are currently no known cures for the coronavirus. The best thing you can do is boost your immune system if you come down with an illness.

This blog will cover several actions you can take to ensure you’re controlling your sickness instead of letting it control you. Plus, we’re offering you several easy recipes that can help you get the job done.

Get Your Fluids

If you're battling an upper respiratory infection, your number one priority should be to hydrate, hydrate, hydrate, and sleep. Fluid loss is very common and may be caused by several symptoms of the flu and common cold. 

If you have a fever, for example, sweating will draw water out of your body and breathing faster will also release more moisture. Not to mention, vomiting or diarrhea both contribute to significant water loss. 

This kind of hydration deficit means drinking fluids is very important. Get your fluids any way you can, as often as you can. Water, juices, herbal tea, smoothies, and soups are all great options for staying hydrated.

If you’re looking for something a little extra, here are a few recipes to keep your thirst quenched:

Immunity Boost Juice (When Feeling Inflamed)

• 1 scoop ofImmunity Wellness
• 6 oz. of fruit juice, nut milk, or water
• Blend or shake and enjoy

Restorative Juice (When Feeling Run-Down/Tired)

• 1 scoop ofRevive Beets + Roots
• 4 oz. of apple juice
• 4 oz. of water
• Blend or shake and enjoy

Immunity Greens Juice (When You Need More Nutrients)

• 1 scoop ofOrganic Pressed Greens
• 8 oz. of pineapple juice or water
• Blend or shake and enjoy

Soothing Sore Throats

Sore throats are all too common when you're under the weather. The good news is that there are a few things you can do when you get one. Salt water gargles are great for helping soothe sort throat infections. It's a good idea to keep a thermos of warm salt water next to your sink and gargle every time you make a visit to the restroom. 

If that isn't your cup of tea, why not try... a hot cup of tea! Hot teas and throat lozenges containing zinc, elderberry, or slippery elm are excellent demulcents to relieve minor pain and inflammation in the throat.

Here are two simple ways to soothe your sore throat:

Salt Water Gargle

• 1 cup of warm water
• ½ teaspoon of sea salt

Take a generous sip and gargle the salt water around the back of the throat. Rinse around the mouth, teeth and gums, then spit. Store in a thermos by the sink and gargle every time you use the restroom. Follow with a drink of water or juice to stay hydrated.

Soothing Honey Tea

• 2 tablespoons of raw organic honey (Manuka preferred)
• 1 cup chamomile, peppermint or licorice tea
• 1 lemon wedge

Steep 1 teabag of herbal tea of choice in hot water and let steep for 3 minutes. Add 2 T of raw honey and a squeeze of a lemon wedge into tea.

Combating Congestion and Stuffiness

If you have respiratory congestion, make sure to use a humidifier throughout your house. Congestion, runny noses, and coughing make breathing more difficult than it is when you're not sick. A humidifier works to keep your nose, throat, and lungs moisturized so air passes through more easily. Vaporizers, diffusers, and inhalers may also be used with soothing essential oils such as eucalyptus, lavender, peppermint, frankincense, and cloves.

Another option for congestion and stuffiness is a nasal irrigation bottle or neti pot. When used with buffered saline solutions, they soothe irritated nasal passageways and help wash out old mucus to improve the function of your sinuses. Much like the humidifier, this process keeps the mucous membranes moist. 

Nasal Irrigation Recipe

• 1 cup of distilled water
• ½ tsp of salt
• ½ tsp of baking soda

Fill a large nasal irrigation bottle such as a neti pot with the saline solution, insert the tip into your nostril and pour gently. Aim the stream toward the back of your head, not toward the top. The water will go through one nostril and out the other side. Gently blow your nose after the saline wash.

General Rule: Get More Sleep

Sleep is perhaps the most powerful way to combat an illness. Sleeping is when your body can rest all other functions and focus on only one thing: healing. If you're struggling to sleep, some of the above suggestions (like a humidifier or hot tea) can help you get comfortable enough to drift off to dreamland.

To further ensure you get enough sleep, try some of the following options: Warm water with lemon in a thermos (drink every time you wake up), eye masks, aromatherapy diffusers, melatonin/lemon balm/valerian tablets, a sound machine, or whatever else it takes to keep you in bed.

Our Recommended Grocery List for Immune Care

Shopping might be the last thing you want to do when you're sick. If you can have your groceries delivered, or if you have someone who can shop for you, consider picking up these foods:

• Fruits and vegetables
• Frozen foods (berries, pineapple, spinach, prepared meals)
• Beans (dried or canned)
• Assorted canned goods
• Whole grains and seeds (brown rice, millet, oats, quinoa, barley, etc.)
• Whole grain pasta
• Canned tomatoes for sauces and soups
• Broths and stock
• Onions and garlic (store in a dark pantry)
• Oils (olive oil, coconut oil, cooking oil)
• Spices
• Nuts and seeds
• Dried fruit
• Cereal
• Bread (can be frozen)
• Nut milks
• Nut butters
• Your favorite snacks

Prevent Sickness with Our Immunity Wellness Juice

Whether you feel like you're coming down with something, or you just want to keep the sicknesses away, ourImmunity Wellness juice is exactly what your body needs. This juice is a daily ginger-turmeric shot that is packed with antioxidants to protect you all year long. 

Featuring the top five superfoods for immunity - cold-pressed lemon juice, turmeric, ginger, apple cider vinegar, and echinacea - you'll experience shorter recovery times when you do get sick. Plus, ourImmunity Wellness features superfood adaptogens to calm inflammation, boost energy, and stimulate immune function.

After you get your Immunity Wellness, make sure to check out oursimple recipes to ensure you’re treating your tastebuds as well as your immune system.

For more SMART lifestyle tips like this, visitwww.smartpressedjuice.com and follow us onInstagram andTwitter, or like us onFacebook. You can also visit ourAmazon store to stock up on our delicious juices.

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