by Leo Wiles
13 July 2018
It’s been a shocker week, with most of the people around me (including Rach) laid low by the latest lurgies doing the rounds. And, with my very own doctor’s appointment scheduled for Monday I figured writing a freelancer’s guide to being ill would hit the spot for those of you coughing and spluttering.
It all starts with a little bit of pre-planning. Now while you may be throwing used Kleenex at the screen right now and cursing my name, it’s all about how to avoid illness, or planning so that if it hits, you’ve got a plan in place.
Yep, of course the best option for staying healthy through those lurgy-laden months is to bar the door and stay warm and cosy in your home office. And with the availability of online shopping it is actually quite doable to stay home for months on end, if you’re so inclined. Unfortunately, it’s not a realistic option for those of us who have to drop children to school, attend appointments, or go to an office or co-working space every day. Because as we all know, other people = bugs.
Can you stop a cold in its tracks? Some experts say you might be able to if you hit the sack, boost your immune system with super foods, or stay well-hydrated at the first sign of a sniffle. Rach’s gourmet get-well cure is hitting the sniffle onset with a dose of liquid olive leaf extract, a super strong homemade garlic bread and lemon and manuka honey hot drink. Mine is shots. That is, ginger beer added to 15ml of Buchi Fire Cider’s heady mix of chilli, ginger, onion, garlic, lemon, sauerkraut juice, apple cider vinegar, turmeric root, jalapeno peppers, horse radish root, Murray river salt and loads of love (or so the label says).
Do you remember those days when you called a receptionist and let them know that you and your doctor’s certificate would be in later that week? [Sighs.] Me too! While those days may be long gone, I always build in a time buffer that allows for a minimum 1-2 day disaster (be it death, disease, divorce, etc) to be overcome without any impact on the client.
That yucky virus set in, despite your best intentions. So if you have a deadline you can’t extend, it’s time to ask a talented freelance friend to step into the breach. You know those passionate peeps that can step up when you need them to meet a deadline that is no longer in your control. However, work out beforehand if you’ll hand over the money or the client, so you don’t end up losing a client and a colleague!
Being laid low is certainly an opportunity to work out if you’ve been hitting it too hard for too long without a break. I for one found it very hard to say no to commissions or contracts pre-children, which meant I didn’t take anything longer than a mini-break for years. So while you’re moving all those deadlines in your diary, make a point of putting yourself in there too. Taking regular time out to rest and recuperate may result in a reinvigorated and more profitable you.
Tip 6. Fill the freezer (when you’re well).
Yes, we know the jury’s still out on whether chicken soup really can speed healing from the common cold, but there is some evidence it has anti-inflammatory properties that could ease some of your symptoms. And so being well is a great time to start freezing batches of the stuff (and your other favourite soups) so you have something nourishing to heat up, rather than hitting Menulog. Plus, soups are easy to add to – so a little spinach, parsley, risoni or potato can make a lovely homemade soup that bit more hearty just when you really need it.
Have you got a tactic for warding off (or shortening) a cold?
