The best part about an office environment (especially if you are a new employee) is meeting new people and bonding with your co-workers. The worst part is if one person is sick, everyone else gets sick. It’s like that gift you never want on a day like your birthday.

When starting out in a new environment, your body isn’t immune to all of the germs crawling around. Your body is used to your previous routine, which may have been going to class and coming back home or even your last job. It will take time for your immune system to build and become stronger. Getting sick the first couple months of working is completely normal. Once your body is aware of your new lifestyle, it will be smooth sailing from there.

Your first cold on-the-job

To be honest, nothing is scarier than waking up one morning feeling like you are starting to get a cold. Knowing you will be utterly ill within the next couple days, naturally, you panic. No one wants to be under the weather. First a sore throat comes along. After that comes the coughing and then the stuffy nose. At some point, you just have to take a day or two off. The advantage is that you get to relax in bed and sleep all day, but the downfall is falling behind on your work. Luckily, we’re here to not only help you cope with that cold but also make sure your work is done. Here are 5 ways to successfully make it through the first sick days you will experience:

1. Take a nice hot shower
Lying in bed sounds like cloud nine, but that will just make your next day back at work less than a thrill. When you wake up, take a nice hot shower. The steam will clear up your stuffy nose. This will help from distractions when it’s time to catch up on work.

2. Take non-drowsy medicine during the day
As much as we’d love to doze off and sleep all day, it is not going to help when you need to be productive. When buying daytime medicine, make sure it’s non-drowsy. It will not only keep you up but also help your symptoms. Come nighttime, you can sleep like a baby.

3. Stay hydrated
Water, green tea, and vitamin C are always the best options when feeling the Mother Nature blues. No caffeine! Please save yourself the agony. Always have something next to you that will hydrate and quench your thirst. Chicken noodle soup is always a way to hydrate yourself when it comes to feeding your stomach. Grandma doesn’t lie!

4. Get comfortable
Being sick and working might sound nauseating, but it’s not as hard as you think. Lay on the couch or get propped up on your bed. It’s quite relaxing, especially when you’re in a quiet environment. You don’t have as many distractions and phone calls aren’t coming in every 5 minutes.

5. Use document management software
Using document management software such as Contentverse is the easiest way to catch up on work outside of the office. Have a project you need to finish? No problem. A deadline due tomorrow? Deal! You can edit files and share them with your team without any hassle. The best part is, Contentverse stores any file format, which makes your sick day at home a breeze. No need to go through the pain of having to convert documents. Businesses that supply this software to their employees are known to be more efficient. This software will assist you in any environment, and the best part is you won’t feel bad that you aren’t at work. It’s like taking your entire desk home with you.

Going back to work

On your first day back at work after beating a cold, stay cautious. There are many ways you can decrease the chances of catching what your co-workers have. Before you begin your day, make it a habit to wipe down your computer keyboard, mouse and phone using disinfecting wipes. It might sound crazy, but trust me, you’re only helping yourself. Wash your hands every time you’re in the break room and, most importantly, after you use the washroom. With all of the pollen and viruses in the air, catching something is as easy as a blink of an eye.

Being sick for the first time at your new job is draining, but once in a blue moon, you need to stay at home and relax. Your co-workers will thank you – I promise. If you sense something coming on and need to stay home, then it’s not the end of the world. All you have to do is set your brain switch to “productive,” stay hydrated and use resources such as Contentverse. The fear of falling behind at work will be the last thing on your mind.

About the Author:

Samantha Lebbos is an experienced writer who studied broadcast journalism at Bradley University. While working as a radio traffic producer in Chicago, she is also a correspondent covering events and interviewing today’s top entertainment artists/athletes. Samantha writes for several different online blogs, including Elite Daily. She loves working and attending concerts, writing, traveling, and learning about new cultures around the world.