When you’re feeling sick one of the last things you want to have to do is make a trip out to the store to pick up the things that you need. That’s why, once cold season rolls around—or just in general—it’s a good idea to keep a stash of must-haves to help you feel better when sick. Here are my top recommendations.

1. Throat Coat tea

In general I’m not a huge tea drinker, but I love throat coat tea.

I once had strep throat which, let me tell you, is no joke. My throat hurt so badly that I didn’t even have to swallow or do anything to feel the pain; it was constant. Needless to say, I was googling throat teas and trying to find anything that would help.

This tea was one of the only things that gave me some relief. Ever since then I have kept it on hand and drink it whenever I have a sore throat. It is definitely one of my top must-haves when sick.

2. Cough drops

This may be kind of a given, but make sure you have cough drops in stock so you don’t have to run out to the store for them once you’re already sick. They can help with sore throats and also suppressing a bad cough.

For a twist on the traditional cough drops, you could also give Fire Drops a try. I haven’t personally had them before, but my husband has and was a big fan. He said that sucking on one cleared his sinuses right up.

3. Zinc

Zinc products, like Zicam, are said to reduce the length of a cold. My husband swears by taking zinc when sick and grew up doing that. So give these a try as a way to boost your immune system when you feel a cold coming on.

4. Vitamin D

Vitamin d is another way to give your immune system a boost when you are sick and really is something you should probably be taking regularly anyways as most of us aren’t able to absorb enough vitamin d from sunlight alone.

Try to find a good daily vitamin that includes vitamin d in it, but especially take some if you are sick.

5. Nyquil and Dayquil

When it comes to something that is going to help you get through your illness a little less painfully, Nyquil and Dayquil are definitely VIPs.

Even if you don’t want to use them all throughout the day, I recommend at least trying out Nyquil because nighttime seems to always be when a cold rears it’s head the strongest.

6. Tangerines

While you’re sick you want avoid artificial sugars as much as possible and eat foods that are going to help you get well sooner.

Tangerines, or any other kind of oranges, are going to give you a bunch of vitamin c which is great when you’re sick.

7. Water

Water is one of the most important things for you while you’re sick; it’s a huge must-have. For tips on how to drink more water check out my post 7 Steps To Drinking More Water.

8. Chicken soup/broth

Chicken soup is definitely a classic food to eat when sick. Well, there is actually good reason for this. Mainly because of the health benefits you can get from drinking good quality broth.

Unfortunately, store bought broth doesn’t contain all of those health benefits. To really reap those you will need to drink long-simmered (or pressure cooked) bone broth.

Your best option, nutrition-wise, is to buy bones from animals that were grass-fed (beef) or pasture-raised (chicken or pork) and make it yourself on the stove, in a slow cooker, or in an Instant Pot.

9. Lotion tissues

I don’t know about you, but when I am sick, I use a ton of tissues. In fact, I wipe my nose so much that it gets really raw and chafed.

I always appreciate having tissues with extra lotion added to them when I have a runny nose because they really do make a big difference. The Puffs Plus Lotion ones are amazing.

10. Soft blanket

Few things are as comforting as a soft, warm blanket, and it’s very important to get lots of rest when sick. If you have a cold and are not getting much sleep then you really aren’t doing yourself any favors.

So find something cozy that will help make you comfortable, and snuggle in for some quality sleep.

There are a lot of items that can help you feel better when you have a cold, from tea to supplements to healthy foods and also items that will simply bring you some comfort. Try out some of these must-haves the next time you’re sick, and they could do you a lot of good!

What do you like to have on hand when you’re sick?

Disclosure: Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.