Happy Fun-Friday! I’m going to test out having Friday’s be my day to post something that isn’t a short story, poem, etc. Maybe it’ll be about beauty, fashion, food, or travel, who knows! I’ll be writing where the intuition takes me for that week. If I don’t have inspiration…well we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it.
Today I bring to you my ultimate guide for what you may need to get through it. For the most part, I use most, if not all twelve of these products when I’m feeling less than my best, and this week has been the best opportunity for me to truly put it to the test. Whatever it is for you…seasonal allergies, 24-hour virus, the first two days of your period (or the whole thing). These are my un-sexy essentials!
Alright, let’s get the elephant in the room out of the way…have you had enough water today?
Water is the first thing I go for, because dehydration is not something I want to add to the list of
things I’m probably already feeling. I keep nice, cold water with me wherever I go in my trusted,
emotional-support-water-bottle. Like this Owala water bottle. Arguably this is a very sexy water bottle, as far as sexy water bottles go…but for the sake of this post it’ll stay here. It has straw and regular sipping capabilities, comes in a wide arrange of fun colors and sizes, keeps my water super cold, and simply checks every box I need in a water bottle!
In case water isn’t quite cutting it, or I need something a little extra, I’ll reach for a blue
Powerade, or Hydralyte tablets. Sometimes the Powerade is easier to grab at the stores
since I need to order the Hydralyte, but I definitely prefer the tablets if I get to choose. Made
with better ingredients than most known electrolyte drinks/tablets, they’re also very tasty without
being overpowering to a sensitive stomach and do the job credibly! It’s an easy way to keep my
hydration up. This product is non-GMO, as well as gluten, dairy and caffeine free!
You know those days when you have a stomach bug, and water tastes disgusting but you need
something comforting, cold, and fizzy? Well, that’s where Canada Dry Ginger Ale comes into
play. How do I explain why for this one? I don’t really have a good reason, it just helps! It’s not the healthiest option out there, formulated with high fructose corn syrup and caramel coloring, but it’s a classic regardless. I’m not usually drinking these at any other time, so I let it slide when I’m feeling sick. But it has to be the Canada Dry brand, and it has to be COLD.
No matter the occasion, I’m looking to boost my immune system and support it however I can.
This happens first and foremost with food…if I have the stomach for it. Delicious, well-balanced meals should provide your body with all the nutrients, vitamins, and minerals your body may need, but a nice bonus is the Beekeeper’s Naturals Bee Propolis Immune Support Spray. It’s packed with antioxidants and other amazing body-happy ingredients to help you kick anything coming your way. I’ve used a few of their products, and aside from getting used to the taste, I have no complaints! They have lots of kid-friendly options as well.
When I’m feeling sick, nothing will revive me from the depths quite like my mother’s
homemade chicken noodle soup. Sometimes mom isn’t always there, and sometimes I don’t have
to strength to prep soup how I would like to. So, I use Better than Bullion in a mug of hot water.
When I can’t get cooking, this will give me just enough strength to eventually get to that
point. They also have vegan and reduced sodium options. And to go with that, oyster crackers! They simply taste better to me than traditional saltines, especially the Westminster Bakers Co. ones, and are in perfect, bite-sized pieces so there are minimal crumbs. Because no one wants to sleep in their cracker dust!
Are you still with me? That took care of the first 6 items, everything I ingest in hopes of feeling my best (I am a poet after all). Now I’ll share with you the remaining 6, everything I use to pull me the rest of the way through (sorry no rhyme for that one).
I know Walmart is both very convenient and the topic of many ethical discussions, but their Equate line has a couple standouts that I genuinely enjoy. Those being their Pain Relieving Cream and Nasal Vapor Inhaler. They’re simply wonderful, and super affordable! I’ve been a dancer my entire life, and more expensive creams don’t compare to this mighty, less than $5 tube. It’s relaxing, smells nice, gets cold and stays cold. When the stiff neck starts, or I’m simply achy, I’m always reaching for this cream to ease my muscles. The inhaler is equally as wonderful. Yes, it looks like you’re inhaling a tampon, but I couldn’t care less when this and a Netti Pot does more for my congestion and nasal swelling than traditional saline. To be entirely honest, I keep one of these inhalers pretty much everywhere just to be on the safe side.
Here’s a bonus, but totally not necessary product. The Vicks VapoShower Tablets. Holy moly are these nice. You know those fun smelling tablets you got as a gift but always forget to actually use in the shower, or want to save them for that special self-care night? Well these won’t stay in the cabinet for long. Use them just like you would any other shower tablet, but relax with the comforting and powerful Vicks scent we all know and need during those congesting times.
Speaking of tampons, let’s talk about the best ones. If tampons are your go to, I recommend the Natracare non-applicator tampons. They come in all the sizes you could need, and are far more absorbent than any flimsy applicator tampon I’ve used. I have no qualms about it not having an applicator, I prefer it actually. I used to go with the OB brand, but they don’t have the same ingredient call-outs and have been difficult to find in the United States recently. The Natracare brand is completely identical in my opinion (in durability and function), but are even better because they are made with 100% organic cotton, and are biodegradable, perfume free and chlorine free. If an applicator is what you need, Natracare has that option too!
The cramps are kicking your ass…I mean have kicked in. It’s common, it’s understandable! When I don’t have the luxury of staying in bed or on the couch all day, this handy portable heat pad saves my day. I’ve worn it to work under my scrubs and no one could tell! Granted I currently have a desk job which makes that much easier to hide. It’s small, compact, and comes with an elastic band so you can wear it around your waist for hands-free convenience. It comes in a few cute colors, and is always going on sale. I’ve used mine to filth, so it doesn’t hold a charge as good as it used to, but it still works great! The heat setting has multiple levels and a timer so it automatically turns off, and it even has vibration settings if you need it. I personally only use it for the heat.
You know what they say…if you can’t take the heat, go get some ice? Ok no one says that, but I have this TheraICE Cap for those moments. I’m not prone to headaches or migraines, which this is intended for, but I find this to be just as effective and not as much torture as a cold plunge. I might use it when I first wake up in the morning while I’m stretching or meditating. Or if I need a quick 5 minute afternoon break and a burst of energy after, this is good for that too! There are a lot of benefits to various cold therapies, but I don’t have access to many, and to be entirely honest I’ll always choose the sauna over a cold plunge. It comes in a couple of colors, and fits most head sizes. I personally don’t put mine in the freezer, as that’s a little too much brain freeze for my taste. The skincare designated part of my refrigerator works just perfect for me!
And thus concludes my unsexy essentials, sick edition! Not all products have to be in the most glamorous packaging to be a staple product, but we often forget that. I hope if you give any of these products a try, you enjoy them! Let’s be honest here for a moment too. I can totally live without most of these products if I had to. They simply help to push along the healing process when I’m not feeling great. If you don’t have accessibility to these items, please don’t feel like you have to hunt them down. Sustainability starts with working with what you have, or borrowing what you can!
However if you do have them, and love them like I do, tell me how you like to use them! I’d love to hear your feedback on your own “unsexy” must-haves. What else would you like to read for our next Fun-Friday? Thank you for reading along with me today!
A Series of Observations 