Achoo! Flu-Season Survival Kit

Of all the things Sunny could have brought back from his trip to London last week – flowers, a slice of Franco Manca pizza, a copy of the Evening Standard – a simmering, snotty head cold was not exactly what I was hoping for.  As soon as he stepped through the front door and mentioned he was feeling “rough” I knew we were doomed, and two days later there might as well have been a bright red cross painted on the front door.

I love Autumn, but I can definitely do without the occasional snot-swimming sesh (so can everyone around me; I’ve been told that I’m a pain in the ass when I’m sick).  So when it does happen, I always make sure my Flu-Season Survival Kit is ready to go.

Olbas Oil

I wear this stuff like Chanel No 5 during the winter; it’s one of my favourite smells even when I’m not sick (…and I’m well aware that that’s a bit weird).  I douse the collar of my fluffiest jumper with it, sprinkle it all over my pillow and bed sheets and breathe in.  Even better I found a bottle of Olbas Oil bubble bath a few weeks ago – it was almost worth catching a cold just to give it a go! 🙂

My Bed

Ahhhh.  I spent a whole week in bed last year when I caught the flu, and despite getting a bit fed up of not being able to get up and get on with my life I WAS SO COMFY.  It’s my favourite place in the whole world.

Hot Water Bottle

Sunny bought me this mini hot water bottle for my birthday a few years ago and I honestly don’t know what I’d do without it.  The best thing is that it’s small enough to wear inside a jumper and snuggle with in bed.  My top tip is to only fill the bottle three quarters of the way full and then let out the excess air resting on top – that way it stays warmer for longer.  (Also… snuggling with a fluffy dog will also have the same effect 😉 )

Satsumas and OJ

Time to overdose on Vitamin C!  As soon as I get that fuzzy head feeling ahead of a cold, I pick up a couple of packs of satsumas and start scoffing.

Soft Tissues

There’s nothing worse than having a sore, red nose after a cold or the flu from using cheap tissues (…or loo roll…).  True, they’re a bit more expensive, but they definitely help.

Soup

It’s a cliche for a reason; chicken noodle soup is what I always reach for when I’m feeling a bit under the weather.  My brother and I LOVE the cheapo Knorr Chicken Noodle Soup sachets, which he claims are a miracle hangover cure.

Honey over Lozenges

I’m not a huge fan of throat sweets, especially the ones that numb everything.  Honey’s got anti-bacterial properties, so a spoonful – either in a mug of hot water or straight from the spoon – can help soothe a sore throat.

Caffeine-Free Medicine

It’s understandable why, but a lot of the cold and flu medication you can buy has added caffeine to keep you wired enough to power through a cold.  That’s great, but personally, I’d rather get some rest and sleep it off!  I’m always stocking up on tablets that don’t have caffeine that you can take right before going to bed.

Entertainment

Box sets, books, magazines… I always make sure I’ve got enough to keep me entertained within arm’s reach, so I don’t have to keep getting up and can just focus on resting.  Back to back episodes of Friends always make me feel better.

Thankfully, I think my cold’s in retreat now, but I really hope I don’t get a follow-up round in a month!  What must-have items are in your Flu Season Survival Kit? ♡