Top 4 things I do when I get sick

1) Cook - Chicken soup

• Grab the pungent veg - fennel, leek, spring onion, garlic, ginger, onion

• Add in a couple of herbs - I like rosemary and thyme but you could go for paprika or sumac too

• Whatever veg is in the fridge - carrot, celery, pumpkin, zucchini, broccoli etc

• 5-6 chicken legs or 3 marylands (good quality)

• Chicken stock (good quality) - around 200-300ml + added water to cover

• 1/2 to 1 cup of rice or barley - depending on size of the pot

• Fry up the veg, brown the chicken, add the stock/water and cook for as long as you can - 1-2hrs

• Remove the bones, top with freshly squeezed lemon, coriander or parsley + black pepper.

• Should have enough for the family for a couple of meals

2) Get Warm

• Wear slippers, get cosy

• My body prefers warmth and this supports the Yang to promote recovery

3) Rest as much as you can

• Seems obvious but sometimes it is harder than it sounds

• I like switching devices off and getting some good rest time - sans screens. If my mind won’t quiet, I might listen to an audio book or soft music but aim to close my eyes.

4) Stretch

• I love simple forward bends and downward dogs when I am sick - any stretches that work on the area from the neck all the way down the spine, glutes, hamstrings and calves help to open up the bladder channel which is often associated with the beginning stages of a cold or flu in Chinese medicine

• Spinal twists - either seated twists or twists laying down are great to help open up the Governing Vessel (the meridian that runs through the spine) that is often involved during a cold or flu, just the bladder meridian. Use pillows or bolsters to get comfortable - so you can get some relaxing shut eye at the same time.

• Never go beyond what is comfortable. (Hint - if you have never stretched before or done yoga or Pilates, maybe skip this part) You may prefer to just move your body in whatever way feels right - open up the arm pits, swing your arms from side to side, rock from side to side - it can be good just to keep some gentle movement and get some qi flowing.