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When a Sick Day is Just What You Need
A few days ago, it all started with a slight scratchiness in my throat. Perhaps I scorched my mouth with that hurried sip of boiling coffee I never manage to finish before shuffling the kids into the car for school. I quickly swapped my coffee for tea, loaded with honey, and hoped for the best. The next morning, I woke up feeling a bit stuffed up, so I tried the whole Neti pot routine, flushing warm water through my sinuses. Gross, I know, but typically it works. Not this time, though. By bedtime, my eyes were watering, and I was sneezing like there was no tomorrow. Ah yes, it was official—I was under the weather.
And you know what? I was kind of excited about it! Sure, it sounds a little nuts, especially since the end of the year is a chaotic time to be laid up in bed. There are gifts to buy and wrap, heaps of cookie dough to mix and roll, winter recitals to attend, and holiday parties to show up at. On top of that, there are the daily tasks: deadlines at work, meals to shop for and prepare, laundry mountains to tackle, kids to parent meaningfully, and a spouse to connect with. Exhausting, right?
That’s precisely why I cherish those rare one or two days in winter when I’m sick enough to skip all of that and stay in bed. I’m not talking about the stomach flu or anything that leaves me feeling achy and feverish—no one enjoys that—but a solid head cold that brings just enough fatigue to keep me horizontal feels oddly welcome. It’s a justified excuse to take a break from my jam-packed routine, an opportunity to prioritize self-care.
Let’s face it—moms are notoriously bad at looking after themselves. We prioritize everyone else: partners, parents, kids, workmates, and even the dog and the neighbor’s pets. Whether we’re full-time workers, stay-at-home parents, or somewhere in between, we often run on fumes. I can’t pinpoint who to blame—our productivity-driven culture, my type-A tendencies, or the endless list of chores that keep my household running.
What I do know is that slowing down is not my strong suit, and taking time for myself feels like sneaking the last cookie from the jar. You could argue that I don’t need to be doing all these tasks; I should just kick back with a drink and let everything slide—fair point. I’d love to embrace that mindset regularly, but no matter how fervently self-care advocates encourage me, I struggle to follow through.
I want to prioritize myself, but I don’t make it happen. I count grocery shopping as “me time,” and when I do manage to get a manicure, I feel restless sitting there, waiting for my nails to dry. My mind races with all the tasks ahead—doctor appointments, dog grooming (poor pup can’t see with all that hair), and work deadlines looming. Reading during the day feels indulgent, and napping seems like a forbidden fruit, especially with kids to pick up and a high-energy kindergartner to supervise.
However, when I’m sick, all that guilt disappears. I don’t even peek out of bed in the morning. I let my school-aged kids help each other with breakfast while my husband prepares their lunches. I gratefully accept an offer from a sweet friend to drive my kids home from school. I indulge in naps, sip tea, and binge-watch Netflix until I can barely keep my eyes open. I ignore social media—my friends know I love them without needing to like their posts all day, right? I give my body a break, skipping my usual spin class for at least 48 hours. I happily accept the tissues my 5-year-old brings me, and I don’t fret about dinner, which ends up being leftovers, takeout, or pancakes made by my teenager.
And guess what? The world keeps turning, my family manages just fine, and I get a much-needed break. I like to think of my sick days as practice for the real deal—the day when, without any sniffles in sight, I finally set aside the to-do list, leave the beds unmade, and curl up with a cup of tea and my favorite book. Sounds like a perfect New Year’s resolution to me.
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Summary:
Sometimes, a sick day is just what a busy mom needs to recharge. Embracing those moments of forced rest allows for self-care that is often neglected in the hustle and bustle of daily life. When illness strikes, it can provide a welcomed excuse to pause, relax, and let others take charge for a change.