should i do homework when i'm sick

7 Tips to Help You Study When You’re Sick

• Post author: Master Student
• Post last modified: June 14, 2022
• Post category: Study Tips

It’s the middle of finals week and you’re feeling sick as a dog. You have a fever, your head hurts, and you can’t seem to stop sneezing. What do you do? When you’re feeling under the weather, the last thing you want to do is crack open a textbook. But if you have an upcoming test or exam, you may not have a choice. In this blog post, we will discuss how to study when you’re sick taken from our comprehensive post on how to make the most of your studying time !

Proven Ways to Increase Study Productivity When You’re Sick:

• Start studying as soon as you wake up
• Drink lots of water
• Eat healthily
• Get lots of sleep
• Take Tylenol/Advil
• Visit the doctor if it gets serious
• Talk to your teacher

Start studying as soon as you wake up:

When you’re sick, the first thing you want to do is curl up in bed and take a long nap. But if you have an exam to study for, it’s important to get started on your studying as soon as possible. That way, you can get it out of the way and have the rest of the day to rest.

Despite being sick, the morning will still be the best time for you to focus and retain information. As the day progresses, you will become more and more tired, your symptoms will get worse, and your concentration will start to waver. So make sure to set your alarm, get out of bed, and start studying!

Drink lots of water:

Staying hydrated is key when you’re sick.  It will help your body fight off the infection and keep your energy levels up.

Drink lots of water and avoid sugary drinks like soda or juice. Hot tea is also a great way to soothe your throat and keep your body hydrated.

Not only will staying hydrated help you feel better, but it will also help you focus and concentrate while you’re studying. When your body is properly hydrated, your brain functions better. So make sure to drink up!

Eat healthily:

It’s tempting to just order a pizza when you’re sick. But eating junk food will only make you feel worse.

Instead, try to eat healthy foods that will give your body the nutrients it needs to fight off the infection.

Some great foods to eat when you’re sick include:

• fruits and vegetables

Eating healthy foods will help you feel better and give your body the energy it needs to study. So make sure to stock up on soup, fruits, and vegetables next time you’re feeling under the weather!

Get lots of sleep:

When you’re sick, your body needs to rest in order to heal.

Make sure to get lots of sleep and take naps when you can. The more rested you are, the better you’ll be able to focus and study.

Take Tylenol/Advil:

Tylenol, aka acetaminophen, and Advil, aka ibuprofen, are both over-the-counter medications that can help relieve pain and fever.

If you’re feeling particularly sick, these medications can help you feel better and make it easier to focus on your studies.

If you’re looking to get cheap versions of either of these drugs, purchase the generic versions. They work just as well!

Visit the doctor if it gets serious:

If your symptoms are severe or if you’re not feeling any better after a few days, it’s time to visit the doctor.

They will be able to give you a proper diagnosis and prescribe medication if necessary. It doesn’t matter if you miss out on vital studying time. As much as an exam is important, your first priority should always be your health!

Talk to your teacher:

Oftentimes, students are too afraid to talk to their teachers about being sick. They think that their teachers will be mad at them or that they won’t understand. But the truth is, most teachers are actually very understanding.

If you’re sick and you think it will affect your performance on an exam, talk to your teacher. They may be able to give you an extension or help you make up the exam at a later date.

Don’t suffer in silence! Talk to your teacher and let them know what’s going on.

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Tips for Staying Caught Up on Homework While Sick

On January 24, 2024, I woke up with a headache and a 99.4 temperature. I did not have a class that day until 11 a.m., so I waited to see if it would go down. Long story short, I had the flu, and missed a week’s worth of assignments. Even as I was sick in bed, watching plenty of movies, what stayed on my mind the most was the homework that I needed to catch up on.

It is important to maintain an up-to-date status on schoolwork, even when sick. When students are ill, their mindset is typically on trying to get better, and justifiably so. However, that results in students having to make up work after they get back, on top of having to do all of the work that is assigned after they make their return. However, through this entire process, there are some things that students can do in order to work through their period of medical misfortune.

• Get in Contact with Your Teachers

Believe it or not, teachers want to do everything they can to help you succeed! Even though different teachers have different policies on late work, if you are sick, they will almost always aid you however they can. In an interview with one of SNU’s faculty members, Melany Kyzer, Ph. D., expressed how even though she does not accept late work, “if a student communicates with me ahead of time, I will work with them.” Even though it is wise to make sure your work is finished in a timely manner, teachers will give grace on assignments as needed, allowing for the best results to be produced.

• Work On What You Can

When I was out with the flu, my condition went up and down, and I certainly had days in which I felt better than others. On those days, I worked on homework. However, it is still important for the body to rest, so do not overwork yourself. I would recommend doing one normal-sized or two smaller assignments on the days in which you feel better in order to make some progress while still allowing yourself some rest.

Speaking of resting, this is the most surefire way to get better. Even though students are stressed about the assignments they may have to do when they get back, the best way to get back is to rest your body and mind. This could take many forms, whether it be watching movies, doing a relaxing activity, or just sleeping your sickness off. Doing this will not only allow you to be at your best when you return to school but also possibly speed up the healing process as well.

It is difficult to be able to complete every assignment that is given out while a student is out for multiple days, or in my case, a full week of class. However, these tips can help to reduce the problem that comes from being sick. It allows students to lighten their load for when they get back while also obtaining some grace from their teachers and letting their bodies heal from whatever sickness afflicts them. Being sick is certainly a pain, but it should not keep students from excelling in the classroom or being the best version of themselves that they can be.

Photo by Kristine Wook on Unsplash

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Tips for Academic Success If You Are Sick

1. An Early Start:

Starting your studies early can be beneficial in two ways: 1) you will have more time to prepare for the exam(s) and 2) you’ll be better able to deal with any pop-up symptoms.

2. Move It to the Bunk:

Admit it, your bed is about ten times more comfortable than that table you always sit at in the UGLI. Studying from the comfort of your home gives you the access to all your meds and the edge to  take a break any time you need to. Sleeping between study sessions helps retain information too!

3. Fuel the H2O Tank:

Replenishing your body with water keeps you alive and more importantly, makes you feel less tired. The recommended dose is 64 ounces per day, which is equivalent to 8 cups of 8 ounces, 16 cups of 4 ounces, 32 cups of 2 ounces… well you get the point. Water also energizes your muscles, keeps your skin looking great, and will kick your sickness faster!

4. Eat, Study, Sleep, Repeat:

Alternating between hitting the books and shutting eyes is the most efficient method for studying while sick; it allows you to be fully immersed in your studies after a good night’s sleep. By minimizing your outside extracurriculars, you can save energy and time, devoting both to helping you recover faster and studying more efficiently.

5. Don’t Get Sick:

This may just be the easiest (or hardest) tip to follow. If you have about $800 to spare, grab yourself a winter coat from Moncler or Canada Goose. Otherwise just befriend someone who owns two (or more). Drink fluids, rest, stay healthy, and GO BLUE!

Sometimes, no matter how hard we try to stay healthy, the cold and flu season can knock us on our backs. If you find yourself in a bind this winter, remember that the Dean of Students Office provides support services if you’re experiencing a major interruption, and University Health Services is a great resource too!

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7 Things to Do When You’re Sick

Stay home and rest, drink plenty of fluids, avoid exercise, treat your symptoms, don’t smoke or drink alcohol, choose healthy comfort foods, know when to see a healthcare provider.

You may want to know what to do when you're sick with cold symptoms or a stomach flu, so that you can focus on your health and what your body needs to heal and recover.

Your self-care strategies may change depending on your symptoms, but you'll always want to ensure you have the chance to rest, recuperate, and keep your illness from spreading to others.

This article offers seven strategies meant to help you take care of yourself while sick and boost your chances of recovery. It also lets you know when it's time to see a healthcare provider.

John Fedele / Blend Images / Getty Images

Many people feel pressure to keep up with their busy schedules, and that can make it hard to know what to do when you're sick and have family or other responsibilities.

Yet staying home to rest isn't just about others. It's important to your healing process, and studies have shown that sleep is closely linked to your immune function. Sleep plays a role in how well your body fights infection, and the immune system depends on similar brain functions that are at work when you have a fever and sickness.

It's not unusual to go to work because you don't want to lose pay, or you feel peer pressure about letting down the team. These and other factors contribute to what's often called "presenteeism" among those who go to work but aren't able to perform their duties well and put their colleagues at risk of getting sick.

Spare Your Coworkers and Call in Sick

Tom Merton / Getty Images 

It can be tough to know when to call in sick . But certain symptoms, such as a fever, may mean you have a contagious illness that can be spread to others. You should stay home at least 24 hours after your fever is gone.

if you have other symptoms, like a runny nose, it's better for you and your coworkers if you stay home and rest. These symptoms include:

• Contagious rash

Some illnesses are more likely to cause dehydration than others. Stomach viruses, for example, can cause symptoms of nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea that lead to fluid loss and dehydration. Nor is it uncommon for certain respiratory viruses to lead to complications from dehydration.

It's important to replace lost fluids with plenty of liquids, like water or Pedialyte. Staying hydrated can help you to prevent illness, avoid complications, and promote recovery if you do become sick.

Keep in mind that when you're dehydrated, you've lost key minerals called electrolytes as well as water in your body. An electrolyte imbalance can increase your risk of complications with illness.

MjDigitalArt / E+ / Getty Images

Exercise is important, but there are times when it could do more harm than good—both for you and those around you. If you have a fever, skip exercise until it breaks.

Gym workouts are one way to transmit a contagious infection to others. And hard workouts when you have a viral respiratory infection have been associated with your own risk of developing chronic fatigue and, in rare cases, myocarditis (an inflammation affecting your heart muscle).

If you have a few cold symptoms but otherwise feel fine, you may be able to get in some light exercise. Still, it's best to avoid the gym so you don't spread your illness to those around you. Always listen to your body and remember that rest is important, too.

In most cases, you can treat your symptoms at home if you are sick. Over-the-counter (OTC) medications and home remedies may bring relief.

Over-the-Counter Medication

At home, you can try taking Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Advil (ibuprofen). Many OTC products contain Tylenol, so your total dosage may be higher if you take Tylenol along with these medications. Most people should not have more than 4 grams (g) of Tylenol per day.

Some OTC products to consider include:

• Antihistamines  such as Benadryl (diphenhydramine), Claritin (loratadine), Allegra (fexofenadine), Zyrtec (cetirizine), and Xyzal (levocetirizine)
• Decongestants  like Sudafed (pseudoephedrine) and 4 Way (phenylephrine nasal spray)
• Expectorants such as Robitussin DM (dextromethorphan/guaifenesin) and Mucinex (guaifenesin)

Try to take an OTC medication that's targeted toward the symptoms you have. Speak to your healthcare provider if you have questions or concerns.

Aspirin for Children and Teens

Remember not to use aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) for children and teenagers. It can lead to a complication called Reye's syndrome . Children also should avoid products like Pepto-Bismol that contain aspirin-like salicylates. For children under age 4, consult your healthcare provider about any OTC medication.

 At-Home Remedies

Home remedies play an important role in what to do when you're sick. If you're fighting a respiratory infection like a cold, you can try taking vitamin C but there's no solid evidence of its benefit. Zinc, however, does appear to offer benefits. Honey can help an irritated throat but remember to avoid its use in children ages younger than 1 year.

You also might consider making changes in your environment, like using a humidifier to help with a respiratory illness or cleaning surfaces to limit spread of a stomach virus.

It's important to get a flu shot every year, but you may want to wait until you're healthy. In some cases, getting vaccinated while you're sick could lead to a longer recovery time. Talk with your healthcare provider about your symptoms before getting vaccinated.

It's important to avoid smoking while you're sick, plus smoking can make you more likely to have respiratory illnesses (and an increased risk of complications with them) in the first place. Smoking itself, as with vaping cases, may even be the cause of infection.

It's best to avoid alcohol use, too, and you may want to cut back on coffee and other caffeinated beverages. They may contribute to dehydration and make it harder for you to recover.

Choose nutritious foods that are easy to digest when you're sick (and while you're recovering, too). Try eating broth soups, plain pasta, lean meats, and mashed potatoes to help ease a stomach flu recovery.

The foods known as the BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast) may help while you're sick.

Foods to Avoid

Healthy foods are good choices but you'll want to avoid spicy or fried foods. Also limit:

• Dairy products like cheese and butter
• Raw fruits and vegetables
• Seeds and nuts

Sometimes it's fine to rest and let your cold symptoms pass, but acute respiratory infections are a common reason for an office visit with your healthcare provider. Some symptoms worth calling your healthcare provider about include:

• Significant abdominal pain that's lasted for 24 to 48 hours
• A headache accompanied by fever, a stiff neck, or persistent vomiting or diarrhea
• A sore throat that makes swallowing difficult
• Painful coughing or chest tightness when you breathe
• For adults, a fever of 103 or higher; for infants, a fever of 100.4 or higher

A lot of people go to the emergency room when they have the flu, even though they don't really need to be there. Although influenza makes you feel terrible, chances are good it's not a true emergency.

The following are flu symptoms that should prompt a trip to the hospital:

• Difficulty breathing
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain or severe abdominal pain
• Severe muscle pain
• Sudden dizziness
• Severe vomiting or vomiting that won't stop
• Not urinating
• Fever or cough that worsens or comes back after improving

If you're sick, it's important to listen to your body and get plenty of rest. Colds and flu don't usually require a trip to the ER or even a visit to your healthcare provider. Exceptions include when you have symptoms like severe abdominal pain, persistant vomiting, or pain when you cough.

If you are vomiting or have a fever, it's important to stay home so you don't pass your illness along to others. And if you haven't had your flu shot yet, it's a good idea to delay it until you are well.

Besedovsky L, Lange T, Haack M. The sleep-immune crosstalk in health and disease . Physiol Rev . 2019 Jul 1;99(3):1325-1380. doi:10.1152/physrev.00010.2018.

Daniels S, Wei H, Han Y, Catt H, Denning DW, Hall I, et al . Risk factors associated with respiratory infectious disease-related presenteeism: A rapid review . BMC Public Health . 2021 Oct 28;21(1):1955. doi:10.1186/s12889-021-12008-9. 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  Stay home when you are sick .

National Institutes of Health.  Viral gastroenteritis (“stomach flu”) .

Lacey J, Corbett J, Forni L, Hooper L, Hughes F, Minto G, et al. A multidisciplinary consensus on dehydration: Definitions, diagnostic methods and clinical implications . Ann Med . 2019 May-Jun;51(3-4):232-251. doi: 10.1080/07853890.2019.1628352

Braun MM, Barstow CH, Pyzocha NJ.  Diagnosis and management of sodium disorders: Hyponatremia and hypernatremia .  Am Fam Physician . 2015;91(5):299-307. 

Orchard JW, Orchard JJ, Puranik R. 'Stay home when sick' advice: Implications for sport and exercise . BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med . 2021 Oct 12;7(4):e001227. doi:10.1136/bmjsem-2021-001227. 

Tylenol. Adult dosing .

DeGeorge KC, Ring DJ, Dalrymple SN. Treatment of the common cold . Am Fam Physician . 2019 Sep 1;100(5):281-289.

Kalil AC, Thomas PG. Influenza virus-related critical illness: Pathophysiology and epidemiology . Crit Care . 2019 Jul 19;23(1):258. doi:10.1186/s13054-019-2539-x

Pasricha TS, Kochar B. Vaping-associated esophagitis. BMC Gastroenterol. 2021 Mar 5;21(1):106. doi:10.1186/s12876-021-01695-8.

American Lung Association. Facts about the common cold .

National Center for Health Statistics. National ambulatory medical care survey: 2019 national summary tables .

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Who should and who should NOT get a flu vaccine .

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  Flu: What to do if you get sick .

By Kristina Herndon, RN Kristina Herndon, BSN, RN, CPN, has been working in healthcare since 2002. She specializes in pediatrics and disease and infection prevention.  

How To Study When You Are Sick – A Guide

Welcome to the cold and flu season! Yup, it’s that time of year again, and all your friends are sick, will get sick, or are recovering from being sick. Let me help you keep your head in the game even though it feels like your head is going to explode.

Here is my 6-step plan to help you study effectively while you are sick:

25 Study Tips to Improve Your Academic Performance

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The Ultimate Study Tools You Must Use to Succeed!

Let’s Dig In

Step #1: assess yourself and administer care.

Hint: If you have a fever, call the doctor and then go back to bed.

The number one thing your body needs while it is trying to heal is sleep . So, feel free, no, feel obligated to take a nap when your body is telling you it needs rest. In fact, if you feel like you could catch a few Zs right now, I encourage you to do that. Secondly, your body needs water. In a world filled with sugary drinks, chances are, you are already semi-dehydrated. Take the next few days to drink only water, hot tea (skip the sugar and use honey as a sweetener for its antibacterial properties) and orange juice (yay vitamin C!). Lastly, you need to take some medicine. If you have a sore throat or a cough, get some cough drops ; if you have a headache and stuffy nose, get some cold/sinus medicine; if your stomach is the problem, get some Pepto; whatever is bothering you, take something to help soothe it. Hopefully, you already have some medicine, but if not, get some, and if at all possible, use Postmates or call a friend to deliver it; you really just need to stay at home.

Step #2: Clear your schedule

Step #3: take a shower, get comfy and re-administer care.

Whew! If you are anything like me, clearing your schedule probably took a whole lot of effort , and you are ready for a break. Now is a great time to take a long hot shower. There is nothing better to open up all your clogged sinuses than all that steam. Plus, getting clean just makes you feel better regardless of the situation. Don’t take a lazy shower . I know you don’t feel like it, but make sure you wash your hair, face, and body; and make sure you take a moment to just relax under the hot water and breath in the steam. Once you’re finished, get out, brush your teeth, and indulge in an extended skincare routine or at least moisturize your face (your nose will thank you).

Now that you are so clean and so fresh get dressed in your comfiest clothes. Whether you prefer some flannel pajamas and fuzzy slippers, or a fleece sweatsuit with bare feet just make yourself comfy. By this time, you might need to take some more medicine, so check on that, but either way, go ahead and drink another cup of water and if you can, eat something . Your body is working extra hard to fight your sickness and thus expending more energy than normal; therefore, it is important to keep getting some calories for your body to turn into energy so that it can keep fighting. 

Step #4: Collect All of Your Supplies

You already know, you need your book, notebook, water, snack, highlighters, pens, etc. For the next few days, you also need things like Vaseline (to protect your nose from all of the tissues), vapor rub, tissues, cough drops, and a trashcan (for all your tissues and cough drop wrappers). Try to think of all the things that help you feel better and have it set out before you sit down to study . If you do end up having to stop for something, just make sure you bring it back to your study spot for next time. By the end of the first day, you should have all of your necessities close at hand. 

The first day of being sick is usually pretty rough. I f you need to take a nap at this point, definitely do that, and when you are ready to study, all you have to do is take a seat and get to work.

Step #5: Work in Small Increments on the Easiest Stuff First

If you are having a hard time sticking to only 30 minutes of study time, try to break down your studying into smaller, bite-sized chunks . For example, if you have vocab to learn, pull out your flashcards and study them for the 30 minutes or read one chapter without taking notes and then go back and take notes on your next 30-minute round. Remember that you will probably be moving slower than normal, so don’t be discouraged if you are unable to read a full 100 pages before your time is up. Just take your break, refresh, and go at it again.

Step #6: Re-administer Care

I said this repeatedly because I always forget to stay medicated. I used to never take medicine; I was raised just to tough it out, and I guess it just stuck with me. Until I moved into my first apartment with my best friend. Shortly after that, I had to find a way to function through a hangover and became extremely close with Tylenol and Gatorade. But even then, I’d take a few pills only once; when I first woke up. But just trust me, if you take your medicine every 2-4 hours (whatever it says on the bottle), you will begin to feel exponentially better as the day goes on, and that will help you study longer , and later, it will help you sleep better.

Remember to Take Care of Yourself First

My hope is that after this bout with whatever sickness it is that you have, you will choose to prepare yourself better for next time. What I mean by that is, if you aren’taren’t already taking care of yourself, you should start now.

Preventative measures

Here are some easy ways to help protect yourself from and prepare your body for cold and flu season and to improve your overall health.

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I'm Sick. What Should I Do? Suggestions for Colds and Flu

Here's how to care for yourself if you're sick.

How to take care of the common cold:

For sore throat:

See Sore Throat? Here's What to Do

Self-care is okay for fever less than 101° F (38.3° C).

Call for medical advice   if you have:

• Fever greater than 101° F (38.3° C) for more than 3 days
• Fever that fluctuates above 101° F (38.3° C) several times a day
• Shaking chills

Self-care is okay for dry cough

• Persistent cough
• Shortness of breath
• Foul smelling, brown or bloody mucus

For runny nose and sneezing:

Self-care is okay for:

• Relatively clear mucus, including light yellow mucus
• Mild sinus and/or facial discomfort
• Severe sinus and/or facial discomfort

For headache:

• Pain that improves with non-prescription pain reliever (e.g. acetaminophen, ibuprofen)

GET MEDICAL CARE   IMMEDIATELY (call 911 or go to the nearest hospital emergency department) if you have headache with:

• Blurred vision
• Nausea or vomiting
• Stiffness in neck or back 
• Mental changes e.g. agitation or confusion
• Sensitivity to light and/or sound sensitivity
• Severe headache with fever greater than 101° F (38.3° C) and rash anywhere on the body

These could be symptoms of meningitis , which can be life-threatening

For fatigue: 

Self-care is okay if you have general tiredness

Call for medical advice   if you have prolonged fatigue

For earache:

Self-care is okay if you have stuffy or clogged ears

Call for medical advice   if you have pain in ears, or discharge from ears

How to call for advice:

Nurse Advice by Phone  is available day and night, which may save a trip to UHS, the ER or an urgent care facility.

Self-care guide:

• Drink liquids, at least 64 ounces (8 cups or 2 liters) per day to keep you hydrated and to thin mucus. Beverages can include water, tea ((herbal or decaf), broth, soup, and non-caffeinated sports drinks e.g. Gatorade.  Hot tea with lemon and honey can help.
• Rest and avoid over-exertion, caffeine, alcohol and smoking
• Sore Throat? Here's What to Do
• Colds and Flu - Treating with Medication
• Protect others by practicing good prevention measures -- See more from the CDC .

See also: 

• How to Get Health Care  at UHS -- Appointments are required for clinic visits, and telehealth options are available

How Bad Is It Really to Work From Home When You're Sick?

How Bad Is It Really? sets the record straight on all the habits and behaviors you’ve heard might be unhealthy.

Working remotely has its perks: You can avoid a crappy commute, wear pajama pants during meetings and sneak in a workout during your lunch hour. But when the line between your home and the office becomes blurred, there are also some possible downsides too.

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Perhaps the most damaging drawback: Many people with remote jobs feel the pressure to perform around the clock, even if they aren't feeling well.

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In fact, 66 percent of Americans who work from home report that their bosses would disapprove of taking a sick day for any ailment less serious than COVID-19, according to a 2020 poll commissioned by ColdCalm , a cold medicine company.

And this stress to impress employers has clearly affected employees' decisions when it comes to sick days. The same survey also found that 67 percent of respondents were less likely to skip a day of work when sick, while seven in 10 have already pushed themselves to power through the workday when ill.

But what are the repercussions of toughing out a terrible cold or fighting the flu while working remotely?

Here, medical experts explore how working from home when you're sick can sabotage your health (now and in the future) ‌ and ‌ prevent you from being productive on the job too.

4 Risks of Working From Home When You're Sick

1. it doesn’t allow you the rest you need to recover.

"When our bodies are sick, they are spending a lot of energy fighting off the infection and trying to recover," says Laura Purdy, MD, MBA , a board-certified family medicine physician.

But if you choose to work from home, you deprive your body of the rest it needs to repair, Dr. Purdy says.

Indeed, sleep is a pivotal part of the healing process. Here's why: When you snooze, your immune system produces protective proteins called cytokines (which help fight infection and inflammation) as well as antibodies, according to the Mayo Clinic .

So if you're skimping on essential slumber to slog through a meeting, you're essentially decreasing your immune system's defenses and possibly extending the length of your illness.

2. It Can Be Stressful

"If you're trying to keep up with your workload, but you're not as clear thinking or energetic as usual," the normal demands of your daily routine can feel especially stressful, Dr. Purdy says.

And adding more stress to the mix — which can cause inflammation in the body — is not ideal when you have an impaired immune system that's already struggling to fend off an infection.

Put another way: Pushing yourself when you're ill can disrupt your bioenergetic state and place your body in a stress state, says Kien Vuu, MD , host of ‌ The Thrive State Podcast. ‌

If you're too stressed, your cells won't function optimally, and your immune system will be less able to counteract a foreign invader such as a virus or bacteria, Dr. Vuu says.

3. You Won’t Perform at Your Best

Real talk: No one does their best work when they're under the weather.

"When you're sick, especially, if you have a severe illness, it can be hard to concentrate and focus on the task at hand," Dr. Purdy says. Not only will your productivity likely decline but the quality of your work will take a hit too, she says.

Dr. Vuu agrees: Powering though the workday if you feel poorly can prevent peak performance. "There's a point in time when there are diminishing returns," he says. When you're feeling frail and fatigued, you can't cognitively perform at your best or activate your flow state. And this is when you tend to make mistakes, he adds.

Case in point: more than half of people reported their work performance suffered "considerably" when they worked from home while sick, according to the same ColdCalm poll.

4. You Can Burn Out in the Long Run

When you work remotely, there's often no clear distinction between your office space and your home. And this can make it hard to maintain a healthy work-life balance, especially for high performers and overachievers, Dr. Purdy says.

Which is why it can be all too tempting for people to tough it out from home even when they feel terrible. But making this a habit can be harmful.

"Over time, if there are poor boundaries and little separation between your work life and home life, it can lead to burnout and disengagement," Dr. Purdy says. And this ultimately results in decreased quality of output, she adds.

Dr. Vuu agrees that a good balance is necessary not only for better productivity in the long term but also to optimize health and achieve a thrive state.

When our body is in homeostasis, our cells are functioning at their best and can more effectively manage outside threats such as viruses or bacteria, he says.

But if you have a mentality like, ‌ I'll sleep when this project is over ‌ or ‌ I'll just relax on my annual vacation ‌, you're overstressing your body, which won't have the right amount of energy for health and healing.

And not allowing your body to recover and repair when you're run-down can increase your risk of feeling sick in the future.

That's what a June 2009 study in the ‌ Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health ‌ concluded. People who repeatedly went to work ill (more than six times in a year) had a 74 percent greater chance of having a long-term absence (for two months or more) due to sickness down the road.

In the long run, pushing your body like this can lead to chronic inflammation and disease, Dr. Vuu says.

It's true. Research demonstrates that chronic inflammation can contribute to the development of serious illness such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, arthritis and bowel diseases like Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, according to Harvard Health Publishing .

What's more, this type of burnout not only affects you physically but also mentally. A June 2014 study in the ‌ Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine ‌ found that working while sick may significantly increase your risk for depression.

7 Tips for Better Sleep When You’re Sick

Your Step-by-Step Guide to Staying Healthy When You’re Feeling Under the Weather

The Best and Worst Foods to Eat When You're Sick

Signs you’re too sick to work from home.

"If you listen to your body, you will know whether it is safe or healthy for you to try to work through an illness," Dr. Purdy says.

In other words, don't ignore your body's signals, which can help you know when it's time to call it quits and take a proper sick day.

"I would definitely recommend avoiding work if you are severely sleep deprived, or have a very high fever, extreme fatigue, nausea or vomiting," Dr. Purdy says.

Similarly, severe body aches, lack of appetite and hounding headaches may also indicate that it's time to close shop and shut down your computer, Dr. Vuu says.

In these cases, focus on getting plenty of rest, hydrating frequently with fluids and, if possible, eating nutrient-dense, anti-inflammatory foods, he says.

Is It Ever OK to Work From Home When You’re Sick?

"This is something that every person must decide for themselves," Dr. Purdy says. "Sometimes I still work from home if I am slightly under the weather, but only if I am feeling up to it. If I have a fever, I am so sick that I slept poorly the night before or I am really struggling, I will take the day off."

Dr. Vuu agrees that the decision also depends on how ill you are. For example, if your symptoms are mild — say, you have a runny nose but otherwise you still have an appetite, and your energy is good — you could still do most of your work from home, he says.

The type of work you do — how physically, mentally or emotionally demanding it is — should also factor into your decision, he says. Again, you want to avoid adding more stress to your life when you're sick.

"Another alternative is to designate yourself as 'out of office' but work on some projects individually if you feel that you have the energy to do so," Dr. Purdy adds. This way, you can work at your own pace and stop whenever you're feeling too unwell.

So, How Bad Is It Really to Work From Home When You’re Sick?

If you have a mild case of the sniffles, you're probably in the clear to continue working from home. But forcing yourself to perform when you're unfit to work is futile both for your productivity and your health.

By giving yourself the time you need to rest when you're sick, you'll have a speedier recovery and, ultimately, it will allow you to have better output at work, Dr. Purdy says.

Dr. Vuu agrees we should put more focus on recovery and taking care of ourselves. This will enable you to show up and do your best at work and at home with your family and relationships, he says.

The bottom line: "There's no shame in taking a day off for illness," Dr. Purdy says.

How Bad Is It Really to Swallow Pills Without Water?

How Bad Is It Really to Hold in a Sneeze?

How Bad Is It Really to Use Hand Sanitizer All the Time?

• Mayo Clinic: “Lack of sleep: Can it make you sick?”
• Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health: “Sick at Work — A Risk Factor for Long-Term Sickness Absence at Later Date”
• Harvard Health Publishing: “Understanding acute and chronic inflammation”
• Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine: “Is sickness presenteeism a risk factor for depression? A Danish 2-year follow-up study”

Is this an emergency? If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, please see the National Library of Medicine’s list of signs you need emergency medical attention or call 911.

To revisit this article, visit My Profile, then   View saved stories .

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What Are the Rules of Working Out When You’re Sick?

It’s that time of year! Colds, the flu, and other gnarly illnesses are swooping in regularly to mess with your neatly planned day-to-day—which, if you’re like lots of exercisers, includes your regular workout. Though you might be tempted to grab some tissues and push through it, it’s actually more important than you may think to give working out when sick a little extra thought.

There’s no one answer to whether or not it’s okay to move your body when you’re feeling gross—it depends on a whole bunch of things, including your symptoms, the workout you had planned, and where you intend to do it. What’s more, the “rules” for exercising when sick have also shifted a bit thanks to everything we learned during the pandemic about how viral illnesses are spread and how much harm they can do. One thing that’s remained true? It’s always wise to listen to your body and respect when it needs rest , Carrie Horn, MD , chief medical officer at National Jewish Health in Denver, tells SELF. That also means there’s never a situation where you have to exercise, especially if you’re not feeling it (for whatever reason, physical or not).

Here are some things to keep in mind for weighing your workout options when you’re sniffly, snotty , or otherwise not feeling your best.

Consider your symptoms—and where you’re feeling them.

Start with a quick symptom check, Jaclyn McKenna, MD , a primary sports medicine physician at the Hospital for Special Surgery in White Plains, New York, tells SELF. Here’s what to keep in mind:

If you’re dealing with “above the neck” symptoms—including congestion, a runny nose , a low-grade headache, or a mild sore throat—your first order of business is to test for COVID-19 . Knowing you’re positive (or eliminating the possibility) “can help you make a good decision,” about your workout plans, Alex McDonald, MD , a family and sports medicine physician at Kaiser Permanente in California, tells SELF. (Friendly reminder: You can once again order four free test kits at COVIDtests.gov. ) Remember, even if you test negative on the first rapid test, you should repeat it 48 hours later to confirm the result, according to the US Food and Drug Administration . So if you have any “cold” symptoms, you should probably consider your workout paused until you know for sure.

If you’re COVID positive and have only mild issues like congestion or a runny nose, the American College of Cardiology recommends waiting until things clear up entirely before exercising. Test negative twice? Then your symptoms are more likely to be an upper respiratory infection (like a cold), and it’s okay to move your body a bit. Even if you’ve got a light cough that feels more like it’s a tickle in your throat (not chesty), it’s probably okay for you to exercise, Dr. McKenna says. Moderate physical activity shouldn’t make this kind of mild illness feel worse or last any longer, research suggests. Doctors often call this the “above-the-neck” rule, and as long as you’ve ruled out COVID-19, you’re likely okay to continue on with these symptoms—as long as you modify wisely, of course. (More on that later.)

Symptoms like body or muscle aches, fatigue , fever, a deeper cough, chest pain or tightness , or shortness of breath are all signs you should shelve your workout, Dr. McKenna says. These can signal a more serious systemic sickness, and exercise may worsen that.

For example, fatigue, fever, and body aches can point to the flu or COVID. If you test positive for the latter with these symptoms, you should take at least a week off from exercise, Dr. McKenna says. If you’ve got all that plus a bad sore throat (and are COVID negative), you might be looking at mononucleosis. This requires a more extended break from intense exercise—sometimes as much as three to four weeks—to avoid a ruptured spleen, Dr. McKenna says.

What’s more, a fever can mess with your body’s ability to maintain your temperature and increase fluid loss, so if you add exercise on top of it, you’re likely only compounding both issues, Dr. McDonald says.

Gastrointestinal issues—think vomiting or diarrhea —are also a no-go, Dr. McDonald says. Exercise on its own can be linked to GI woes due to jostling and the diversion of blood flow away from the gut (hello, runner’s trots ). So if you combine a workout with an already-rumbling stomach, you might be rolling the dice for a belly blowout—and increasing your chances of getting even more dehydrated.

If you do work out with a little cold, you still shouldn’t work out in close proximity to other people.

If you meet the non-COVID above-the-neck guidelines and really want to work out, know that where you choose to exercise matters. A key lesson of the pandemic is that our choices are about more than our own health—and a little cold that feels like “no big deal” to you could be a huge pain in the ass or worse for someone who is older, immunocompromised , doesn’t have paid sick time, or who just…doesn’t want to feel like shit for several days. So take extra precautions to avoid spewing your germs on other people.

“Nobody wants to be in the gym next to somebody on the treadmill hacking and coughing,” Dr. McDonald says. “Try to be respectful.”

That means working out at home or outdoors, away from other people, when you have symptoms, which indicate an active infection. You shouldn’t go back to the gym or in-person classes until you’re no longer coughing and sneezing and you’ve been fever-free for 24 to 48 hours without any over-the-counter meds like acetaminophen or ibuprofen, Dr. Horn says.

If you want to work out while you’re sick, you’ll still need to dial back the intensity by a lot.

You certainly shouldn’t be running intervals or lifting your heaviest weights while you’re under the weather, even if you just have mild above-the-neck symptoms. Going too hard might stretch out the duration of your illness, and, besides, you’re not going to get that much out of it, Dr. McDonald says.

“The goal of exercise is to challenge your body a little bit, slowly over time, so you can grow and change,” says Dr. McDonald, who’s a former triathlete. But that’s not going to happen effectively if your body is already fighting an illness.

Instead, he recommends backing off and cutting your time and intensity in half—say, a 30-minute walk or easy yoga session instead of an hour-long run or lift. You can also try to switch things up to boost the enjoyment factor: If you had a treadmill session on your sched, you may want to swap that for a scenic stroll in the park instead. “When you’re sick, your mood is pretty down,” Dr. McKenna says. “The purpose of your workout might be to lift you up a little bit, not to necessarily get an intense workout.”

Regardless of what kind of workout you choose, you can expect everything to feel a little harder, given the energy you’re expending battling even a minor bug. “You should give yourself grace and plan to taper back your workout intensity until you feel better,” Dr. McKenna says.

Make sure you drink plenty of water—even a mild illness can make you more prone to dehydration —and monitor your symptoms during and afterward, Dr. Horn says. If you feel worse while you’re working out, stop; if your condition declines after you’re done, rest more the next day, and take it as a sign that you may have done too much too soon. And of course, always check with your doctor if you have any questions about how you’re feeling.

Remember that you never “have” to exercise, especially when you’re not feeling great.

There’s never any obligation to exercise, and sticking to your preplanned programming when you feel like garbage definitely isn’t a sign of strength or “dedication” to your routine. There are tons of good reasons to skip your session when you’re run-down or sniffly—and preferring to stay home with your comfy blanket, cup of tea, and stacked must-watch list is just one of them.

Erring on the side of caution and skipping a workout (or two, or three, or more) can be just what you need to honor your body and prevent you from prolonging your illness or getting anyone else sick. And resting is not going to have any measurable impact on your fitness or strength. “Missing a couple of workouts or a week is not going to be the end of the world when it comes to your long-term health,” Dr. McDonald says. Rather, it could be a valuable opportunity to remember that true strength and wellness sometimes mean holding back rather than pushing through.

• The Best Foods to Eat When You’re Sick and Feel Like Trash
• What to Do When You’re Bummed That You Can’t Work Out for a While
• What Causes Nausea After Working Out?

SELF does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Any information published on this website or by this brand is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional.

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How to Get Homework Done when You Don't Want To

Last Updated: June 24, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Ashley Pritchard, MA and by wikiHow staff writer, Hannah Madden . Ashley Pritchard is an Academic and School Counselor at Delaware Valley Regional High School in Frenchtown, New Jersey. Ashley has over 3 years of high school, college, and career counseling experience. She has an MA in School Counseling with a specialization in Mental Health from Caldwell University and is certified as an Independent Education Consultant through the University of California, Irvine. There are 9 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 252,133 times.

Homework can be a drag, but it's got to be done to keep your grades up and stay on track during school. Going somewhere quiet, making a plan, and giving yourself breaks can all help you stay focused and on task to get your work done quickly. Try to keep your assignments organized and give yourself credit for completing hard or boring work, even if you didn’t want to.

Getting Motivated

• Keep a list of your assignments and check them off as you finish them. This can give you a sense of accomplishment that can motivate you to keep going.

• Make it the rule that you work for a certain amount of time, or until a certain amount of work has been accomplished. Afterward, you can hang out. Stick to this schedule.
• Try this out and see if it works. If you're too distracted by having friends around, make a date to hang out after homework instead.

• Make sure you keep the competition to yourself. Competing with your friends isn’t fun, especially over homework assignments and grades.

• Learning something that will probably help with future assignments, even if you don't know what they are yet.
• Proving to your teacher that you understand the homework so that they don’t keep assigning it over and over.
• Improving your GPA.
• Getting a good grade.

• Try not to reward yourself with food, as that can lead to snacking when you aren’t really hungry.

Staying Focused

• For instance, tell yourself that if you finish your first assignment in 20 minutes, you can go on your phone for 5 minutes.

• Make sure you stand up and do something when it's your break, or you won't get your wiggles out.
• Set a timer on your phone or use a kitchen timer to let yourself know when it's time to switch tasks.

• If you don't have control over the subject, try to find connections between the topic and something you care about. Find aspects of the subject that interest you.
• For instance, if you have to study History but you care the most about fashion, investigate the styles of the times and places you are studying. Learn how political and economical developments changed the way people dressed.

• You can find playlists on Spotify and YouTube that are made for studying and doing homework.

• When you're struggling to focus, sign out of your email and all social media so you don't check them as a reflex.

Creating Good Study Habits

• If you have many textbooks and worksheets, stack them and put them to the side.
• Get things like pencils, erasers, calculators, rulers, and paper.

• Having a planner will make it less tempting to procrastinate, as long as you have broken up your studying into manageable chunks.
• Your planner can be paper, or you can get one on your phone. Just make sure it has space for task lists as well as events.
• Once you have completed a task, cross it off or put a check next to it. Seeing that you're getting your work done will make you feel better, which in turn will motivate you to keep up the good work.
• Don't put more than you can do in one day on a list! Split up your week's work so that every day has a manageable amount.

• If you have a job or extracurricular activities that change your daily schedule, determine a weekly schedule that you stick to as much as possible.

• Sometimes just explaining what you have to do will help you understand it better.
• Talking to another person is a great way to brainstorm ideas. They may ask you questions or provide comments that can help you organize your ideas.
• Other times, the person you are talking to will notice something about the prompt that you overlooked.

Supercharge Your Studying with this Expert Series

Expert Q&A

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• Try asking a family member to help you remember when to start your assignments so you don’t forget. Thanks Helpful 4 Not Helpful 2
• If you’re really struggling with a topic, consider going to a tutor for extra help. Thanks Helpful 4 Not Helpful 2
• Getting motivated can be tough. Just try your best, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. Thanks Helpful 4 Not Helpful 2

Tips from our Readers

• Set up a dedicated study area at home with your needed supplies, to establish a consistent homework routine. Having everything in one prepared place helps minimize distractions.
• Use a planner to schedule out all your assignments. Break them into small, manageable pieces so it's less overwhelming. Checking tasks off as you finish motivates you along.
• If completely stuck on an assignment, reach out and talk it through with someone. Verbalizing it can provide new insights to move forward.
• Take short activity breaks every 45 minutes. Get up, stretch, grab some water. It refreshes your mental focus so you stay engaged.
• Incorporate a fun personal interest into an assignment when possible. Writing about something you care about keeps you absorbed.
• When you really need to concentrate, eliminate enticing distractions like your phone. Logging out keeps you on track.

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://hwpi.harvard.edu/files/comm/files/smarttalk_staff_guide.pdf
• ↑ http://www.wcsu.edu/housing/wp-content/uploads/sites/55/2018/05/Handout-V6N6.pdf
• ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/worry-wise/201410/how-prevent-homework-procrastination
• ↑ Ashley Pritchard, MA. Academic & School Counselor. Expert Interview. 4 November 2019.
• ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/homework.html
• ↑ http://kidshealth.org/en/kids/organize-focus.html?WT.ac=p-ra#
• ↑ https://www.stonybrookmedicine.edu/sites/default/files/homework_tips.pdf
• ↑ https://childmind.org/article/strategies-to-make-homework-go-more-smoothly/
• ↑ http://kidshealth.org/en/teens/homework.html#

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Should You Work From Home While Sick?

For many people, working from home while they are sick is a convenient option, as long as their employer allows it. Working from home may not be the best choice for someone under the weather, but that depends on how sick you are and whether you can get anything done at home.

For example, if you have a cold and you don’t want anyone at work to get it, you should probably stay home. During the flu season, that becomes much more important. Avoiding work while fighting influenza can keep the whole office healthy .

But, what if you have some other illness?

Many will wake up with a sore throat, jump in the shower, take a throat lozenge, and head for work . This may not be the best way to go, since a sore throat is often an early sign of a cold, and as we all know, colds are very contagious.

A study from the Canada Life Group Insurance Company looked further into this occurrence. They found that nearly 90% of employees have come into work while sick.

Bosses will always worry about the employees who call in sick despite being healthy. But, a larger number of bosses are more worried about people showing up to work who are sick and contagious.

With the “always at work” mentality, people who work from home still stay in touch with their projects and fellow workers. This might be a counter-productive situation when you’re sick and need to work at home with some peace and quiet.

It’s no secret that many offices encourage the “always on” mentality. This means employees will find it difficult to ask for time off when they are sick, and are often encouraged to work from home instead.

If you are one of those who grapples with the idea of whether you should take time off when you are sick, it’s important to come up with a contingency plan to help you decide. You should stop and think about the long-term effects of your decision.

If you decide to go to work while you are sick, you should at least think of a place at work where you can isolate yourself from others. Although, if you decide to work from home, think about what you might be missing by staying away from work.

With the cold season ahead, workers are coming down with fevers, headaches, and runny noses. The CDC reported that your chances of getting sick this year fall between 5% and 20%, which is relatively high.

And after falling ill, employees are left with that debate: stay home or go to the office. The problem with staying home is that it might cause more stress due to the amount of work you lose. When you return to work, you could be faced with a pile of paperwork and past due projects.

But, why do people go to work when they are sick?

If you are one of the lucky people who has plenty of sick time saved up, you don’t have to worry about calling in sick without jeopardizing your job.

But, this often isn’t the case.

A 2014 survey by the National Survey Foundation (NSF) concluded that 4 out of 10 Americans say they come to work sick simply because they don’t have much choice. Approximately 10% of those surveyed said they go to work sick.

As a rule, it’s always best to stay home when you are sick. So, the next time you wake up with a headache, runny nose, and a cough, stay home.

Are you looking to keep your office healthy this flu season? Passport Health can help! Give us a call at or fill out a contact form for more information.

Written for Passport Health by Jerry Olsen. He has over 15 years of combined experience as a writer and editor in Salt Lake City. Jerry’s writing topics range from health care, travel, life science to medical technology and technical writing.

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'I'm opting my five-year-old out of homework – his last assignment left me in tears'

A mum says her son was so stressed from doing homework that she told his teacher he is 'opting out' for the rest of the year - she insists other parents should do the same

• 18:57, 11 Sep 2024

A mum has gone viral after telling her son's teacher that he would not be completing homework from now on - and insists other parents follow in her footsteps.

Mum-of-three Cayley, from the US , made it clear she isn't worried about what her son's teacher says after sending her a "cutesy" email in a bid to opt him out of homework. Taking to TikTok , she claimed the work was causing her son, who is five, "stress" as well as "mental and physical anxiety".

She titled her video "no more homework" and said she hopes to inspire other parents to do the same. "I just sent my son's kindergarten teacher a cutesy, little email saying I'm sorry, based on the stress, mental, physical anxiety it's causing my kid, we are done," she explained.

She said that her son was given a homework booklet on the first day of school, which is about 15 to 20 pages and double-sided. She added: "We have been working on it and trying to work to the best of our abilities. It is causing him so much mental, physical stress."

The mum says she feels "so guilty" for telling her son he was not allowed to play or watch TV until he completes at least two pages of his homework.

Cayley, who lives in Arizona, added: "This is so much work for him. I started crying, he started crying, it was an emotional mess. I felt so guilty dropping him off at school. He didn't want to be there." She said she would rather her children enjoy their education than grow to resent it, stressing: "Work to live, we don’t live to work."

Her video has raked in over 255,000 views - and it divided opinion. A number of parents agreed with her, as one said: "I am 100% here for this."

Another mum commented: "We do the same. Always have, always will. Our child is a senior and graduating this year." One other added: "Breaks my heart. I went through similar situations with my son many times over. Good for you that you said no more."

But a number of people pointed out the importance of homework. One individual commented: "Homework teaches way more than content. It teaches planning, organisation, discipline, responsibility, working hard, and the list goes on."

A teacher commented: "You can do that. It will affect their grade." And a third pointed out: "I totally understand the load is overwhelming. But the standards are crazy and if things are not reinforced at home, they can fall behind. Teachers don't love it either, trust me!"

Cayley added that she is not against homework when her son is older, but believes it is too much for a five-year-old.

Do you agree with the mum? Comment your thoughts below.

Do you have a story? Get in touch at [email protected].

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