Post-Travel Rest & Recovery

My week in the Dominican Republic was amazing. Spending time with my classmates and professors, and seeing another culture was an experience I will always remember. The Dominican people are so humble and happy, and always welcomed us with open arms and fresh fruit (fresh pineapple is amazing, by the way). This trip taught me so much about myself, life, my professional goals, and so much more. I didn't take a ton of personal photos, but maybe I can share some that my teammates took later. 
However, travel always comes with the chance of catching the travel bug, and not the kind that makes you want to travel more! Between the diet differences, lack of sleep, all of our activities, and spending lots of time on airplanes and in airports, I came back with a nasty, flu-like bug. I don't think it was a full-fledged flu, but it definitely wasn't fun. Everything from the week caught up with me in the end, as it usually does.  

Rest it up: Good sleep habits contribute so much to feeling well and healthy. When you're sick, try to sleep as much as you can. I went to bed at 8:00pm two nights in a row. And you know what? It was glorious. I felt so much better the following morning and had enough energy for the day at school. Be sure to get at least 8 hours of sleep at night when you're recuperating from a bug. 
Keep your diet simple and plain: Bland is best until you start feeling better. I know it's boring, but you don't want to put your stomach into overdrive before it can handle it. The BRAT diet for children applies to adults, too: bananas, rice/cereal, applesauce, and toast. I ate a lot of chicken noodle soup. Frozen waffles aren't a bad option, either. Bottom line is, don't go running for a cheeseburger (or in my case, Chick-fil-A or Biscuitville) the minute you feel even marginally better. Give your body time to catch up. 
Take it easy & slowly: Don't overwork yourself too soon. Last weekend, I went to BJs and the grocery store Sunday morning--my usual Sunday routine--and just that made me exhausted. I could have passed out when I got home. Give yourself a break (or five) when recovering from being sick. You will thank yourself later...believe me! 
Drink lots of fluids: Water, Gatorade, tea, juice, ginger ale...whatever makes you feel better, drink lots of it! In the last week, I switched back and forth between tea and water mixed with Emergen-C powder. Ginger ale is great for stomach cramps; Gatorade is full of electrolytes; orange juice gives you a dose of vitamin C; and we all know how much I love tea. Any combination of the above, in any amount, will help you feel better. 
Take your meds, but not too many: "The more, the merrier" doesn't necessarily apply here. Consult your doctor or someone you trust and follow their advice, as best you can. My dad has worked in pharmaceuticals for my entire life (he isn't a doctor, but he has an amazing knowledge of medicine and pharma), so I asked him what I should take. My medley of Mucinex, Alavert, Emergen-C, and the occasional cough drop has worked well so far. Hopefully I've only got another day or two before I'm back to normal!
What do you do to recuperate after getting sick?