As someone who is ALWAYS sick, I have had to figure out how to adapt to my immune system always letting me down.

Believe me- when I say ALWAYS sick, I'm not being hyperbolic. When reviewing my teacher's lectures on Tegrity, I can hear myself coughing in the background. While most of these things are pretty typical, I do have some variations of specific things that I know make me feel A LOT better when I'm under the weather. Even when I'm not sick, I'm seldom found without a water bottle and hand sanitizer- two very simple things that often get overlooked when you're wanting to feel better.

So, here's a list of 15 things that you should get if you're someone who's ALWAYS sick.

1. Puffs + Lotion + Vick's Tissue

I was always a huge purchaser of Puffs+ lotion, but these are even BETTER. They're Vick's scented Puffs + Lotion tissue, also known as the best of both worlds. They manage not to rub my nose raw, and also work on clearing out my sinuses. I go through probably 3-4 boxes of these a semester. Even if you're not perpetually sick, these are great, even if you don't have to use them all of the time.

2. Starbuck's Medicine Ball Tea

Okay, I was pretty skeptical when I first heard of this. It's 2 Teavana tea bags (Peach Tranquility and Jade Citrus Mint), lemonade, and a pump of peppermint. I had someone tell me about this about 3 weeks ago, and I've had probably 6 of them since. (Partially because I've been rocking a killer sinus infection, but also because I'm slightly addicted to Starbucks.) The peppermint pump in optional, but I'd push you to get it- not only does it taste good, but you also get a strong peppermint smell every time you go to take a sip.

3. A Comfortable Pair of Sweatpants

For some reason, I will take this chicken bouillon over Campbell's Chicken Soup EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. I don't know what it is, maybe it's just the flavor, but it is ridiculously good.

5. A Cozy Quilt

No, not a blanket, a quilt. Quilts just are a tad heavier, a little larger, and I can just wrap myself up in it, like a burrito. My go to quilt is a pink/red/white quilt that I'm pretty sure my mom made before I was born. It has a turpentine stain from when I used it to sit on when I was oil painting, but it's still my favorite thing I have.

6. Nasopure Nasal Wash

Okay, so this is probably one of the grosser things I use when I'm sick, but it works so amazingly, I couldn't leave it off the list. While it may be slightly disgusting to use, once I'm actually done with it, my sinuses feel so much better. If you don't have one, I'd definitely invest.

7. Mucinex DM

I do not know where I would be if I did not have this back stocked. Whenever I'm at my worst, this is one of the few things that actually makes me feel half alive. Paired with Tylenol, this is a MUST HAVE for me to function.

8. Apple Cider Vinegar

This is a weird one, I get that. But if you have a presentation, an interview, or anything where you have to speak for more than 2 sentences, add a cap full of apple cider vinegar to water, and it CLEARS YOUR THROAT OUT LIKE MAGIC. The downside? It does not taste good. At all. However, it's worth it.

9. A Pet to Cuddle Up With

My dog has a really cute habit of trying to make me feel better. She relentlessly licks my face, and tries to lay on top of me. (You read that correctly, ON TOP of me.) My cat is ridiculously soft, and curls up with me whenever I'm not at my best.

10. Ginger Ale

Sierra Mist is a close second, but if I'm feeling sick, whether it be an upset stomach or bronchitis, you'll usually find a two liter within an arm's reach of me.

11. Hand Sanitizer

Hand sanitizer is something I've started to carry around regularly, but when I'm sick, and keep having to blow my nose in class, this is something that helps me feel a lot less gross than I know I am.

12. Water

I CANNOT stress how important it is to keep hydrated whenever you feel sick. This is probably THE MOST important one on this list. Even right now, while typing this, I have my green Nalgene water bottle right next to me.

While most of this stuff may seem pretty simple, I've tried a lot of different things to make me feel better when I'm sick, and these are tried and true remedies to help me. I hope they help you too!