Don't Let Sick Days Keep You From Getting Things Done

By Donna Stark

Thankfully, the worst of the flu and cold season has passed and we can look forward to some relief from illness. And I say “some relief” because we all know that there still is a chance to get sick throughout the other months of the year. It’s hard being sick, but it’s even more miserable when you have to work, when deadlines are pressing upon your peace, and when you have other people counting on you. It would be nice to be immune to those nasty little germs that grab hold of your body and drag you down into the abyss of poor health, but that’s not really an aspect of reality for anybody. So what can you do if you become ill yet have a mountain of work that needs to be accomplished?

Staying Productive During Your Sick Days

Missing work, falling behind, and playing “catch-up” is a nightmare for so many people, but there are some tricks to help keep you somewhat productive while being laid up in bed. Here they are.

• Rest and health have to come first - Unless you are 13 years old and forgot to study for a test, nobody is going to think you are faking it, so stop worrying about what others are saying, stay home, and rest. Your health has to come first so that you can get back into the office as soon as possible.
• Simple tasks between rest - Do what you can but don’t push yourself too hard. Choose simple tasks that can be accomplished in between the times that you are resting. For example, if you need to write a proposal by the end of the week, break it up into smaller sections and then take care of yourself in-between writing each one. Working too much and ignoring your health will only hurt you in the long run.
• Plan and respond - Lying in bed can become quite boring and doesn’t it feel like you are just wasting time while plopped on your sofa in your big, fluffy robe? So unless you are thrilled with becoming a home improvement show expert, use this time to plan projects, schedule your calendar, or respond to emails and voicemails. It’s the perfect time to be efficient with some of the work that you are missing.

Don’t Forget to Rest

If you have bursts of energy while you are sick, you can use them to your advantage, but just be careful you don’t push yourself back into your bed feeling even worse than before. Remember, the most important thing you can do is to rest and to listen to what your body is telling you. Don’t worry about your work too much … it will wait for you, no matter what.

To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Brookfield, Wis.