The alarm goes off at 7am.  You roll over, turn it off, and take a deep breath to start your day.  But wait – that deep breath gets stuck about mid-inhale and sets off a sneezing and coughing fit that wakes the neighbors.  Congratulations – you have won the germ lottery!

Sick days aren’t the most exciting way to spend your hard-earned vacation days from your job, but since you’re home, you might as well try to enjoy it.

Here is a checklist of necessities to keep on hand so you can stay quarantined on your sick day without having to put on pants to head to the store and to share your contagions with the rest of us:

• Tissues – It seems like a no-brainer, however, don’t count on that half-full box in the bathroom lasting for the duration.  One day of sneezing and blowing can burn through a box in no time.  I keep three-pack of Puffs Plus Lotion on hand.  Tissues can be expensive but I don’t mind paying for good ones; a full day of wiping your nose with cheap ones and your nose will resemble the most famous Christmas reindeer. 
• Medication – Whatever your favorite might be make sure you have enough on hand- and make sure it’s not expired.  It’s a good idea to go through your medicine cabinet once a year and get rid of the old and/or empty boxes and make a list of what you need for the coming season – cold and/or sinus medicine, ibuprofen or Tylenol, cough drops, nose spray, Vicks vapor rub, etc.
• Lip Balm – Mouth-breathing will chap your lips in a heartbeat.  I’m currently hooked on Burt’s Bees lip balm, but cherry ChapStick runs a close second.  I even rub a little on the end of my nose after blowing – it keeps me from looking Rudolph-esque.
• Humidifier – It’s not an essential but it’s nice to have around.  The steam makes it easier to breathe and the white noise can help you sleep.  Bonus: you can also use it for facials.

Now that you’ve called the office, what do you do with the rest of your day?

• Entertainment  – Have you ever tried to find something redeeming to watch on daytime TV?  If you have a Netflix account, you can watch movies instantly on your PC.  Hulu even has several collections entitled “Sick Day Classics” (sponsored by Tylenol Cold, of course). 
• Sleep – Rest is paramount when you’re sick.  If you can talk your significant other, roommate, or even your child into making your bed with fresh clean sheets, do it.  Even if you have to pay them cas, it’s money well spent when compared with the head-exploding pain that you would have to endure to bend down and tuck in the corners yourself.  Turn off the phone, shut the blinds, and snuggle in for a nap.
• Indulge – Sure, you could throw in a load of laundry or run the vacuum cleaner while you’re home, but why?  If you’re a Type A personality like me who can’t sit still without looking around at all the things I could be doing, consider your illness a sign you need to slow down for a little while.  A good way to do this is to take a nice long bath, especially if you’re home alone and no one will bother you.  I have been hooked on Johnson’s Soothing Vapor Bath since I discovered it when my youngest was a baby.  It works just as well on adults.
• Eat – It’s important to keep up your strength when you’re sick, so diet be damned!  Of course, it’s not exactly a free pass to consume a whole bag of chips, but do eat.  The power of chicken soup isn’t just a myth – studies show that it can help clear your nasal passages.  Orange juice is wonderfully soothing on a sore throat, and can help you stay hydrated.
• Exercise – I’m not saying go run for miles, but if you don’t have a fever light to moderate exercise such as a short walk can put you on the road to recovery.  Avoid the gym – you don’t want to infect everyone else.

Most importantly, take it easy and get better.

Kim is the Fashion and Beauty Editor for Girls Guide. You can check out her personal blog, Parachuting Without A Net, where she talks about just about everything under the sun from being a Mom to whipping up quick dinners. You can contact Kim by Emailing her – kim [at] girlsguidetothegalaxy [dot] com, and you can follow her on Twitter – @parachuting.