Being sick + Tea + Comfort Reads

I got sick last week with a cold. Thankfully, it wasn’t Covid or the flu, but that doesn’t mean it was any fun. It started with a sore throat and then slowly turned into congestion, sneezing, a runny nose, and lots of sinus pressure. You know the kind of cold where you don’t feel terrible all the time, but you also don’t feel like yourself either.

I took it easy and stayed as far away from everyone as possible because I really didn’t want to pass it along to anyone else. Midway through the week I started feeling noticeably better, and now I’m happy to say I’m fully recovered. I’m always so grateful once I’m on the other side of being sick, because it’s such a good reminder of how nice it feels just to have your energy back. Being sick is always so miserable, even when it’s “just” a cold.

I spent a lot of time napping, wrapped up in blankets, and watching comfort TV shows like Murder, She Wrote. There’s something so soothing about familiar shows when you’re not feeling well. I also did quite a bit of reading. I recently picked up a bunch of Nancy Drew books at a used bookstore, and they were absolutely perfect for the amount of concentration I had. Easy to follow, a little mysterious, and very comforting.

I asked for herbal tea for Christmas and ended up getting lots of it, which means I’ve been drinking tea pretty much nonstop since then. Yesterday afternoon I had a cup with a donut, and honestly, it was such a good combo. One of my favourite teas is called Forever Nuts. For years I didn’t drink tea at all, but about a year or two ago I started really enjoying it, and this one has been a favourite ever since. Plus, tea is perfect for warming up when it’s cold outside.

Speaking of food, today I was craving all the veggies for lunch, so I put together a big salad with greens, tomatoes, cucumber, and Thousand Island dressing. I somehow forgot to add roasted and salted pumpkin seeds and dried cranberries, which I almost always include. I don’t know what I was thinking, but honestly, the salad was still exactly what I needed.

Being sick is never fun, but it does have a way of forcing us to slow down and lean into the little comforts that help us feel better. I’m so grateful to be feeling like myself again and easing back into my usual routines. If you’re feeling under the weather right now, I hope this is your reminder to rest, make a cup of tea, and give yourself a little extra grace. And if you have a favourite comfort tea, show, or easy meal, I’d love to hear about it. Leave a comment and share what helps you feel better when you’re sick.