1. Stay calm and be kind to yourself

Whatever the reason was that you got sick, you're sick. And you have to deal with that. But half the battle of getting better is mental. There's no use in dwelling on what could've or should've been, this is what it is now. Instead, pay attention to the small but positive improvements that come with each day. My favorite day was the day I was strong enough to complete my treadmill routine again.

2. Keep track of your symptoms and emotions

Even if it's just a list in the notes folder of your phone, write down specific things about how you're feeling every day. A lot of time can be lost to sleep or drowsiness when you're sick, making days start to melt together. Keeping track of each day will help guide you through your illness, and also alert you when the symptoms start to lessen. This can also work for keeping track of emotions. If there are days you feel overwhelmed, try writing about it, or confiding in a friend. This pandemic is global, so I can assure you, you are not the only one feeling this way.

3. Drink plenty of fluids and get some sleep

Even though our world has been virtually turned on its head by the COVID, at the end of the day, it's still a virus. Therefore you should treat it the same way as you would any other virus. Drink a ton of water and sleep as much as you can. I understand that you're still obligated to attend Zoom classes, but outside of those, get as much sleep as possible — it's not like you have anything better to do, you're in quarantine! As for drinking water, my suggestions are to keep a water bottle either always in your hand or by your side and to drink half your body weight in ounces. Having water with you at all times will make it easier to drink. I like to adopt the, "well if it's in front of me I have no reason not to drink it" mentality. Fluids will only help to flush out your system and guide those bad germs out as well.

4. Take Tylenol

While there have been conflicting reports around COVID-19 treatments, studies have shown that anti-inflammatory medications can be linked to the development of more severe illnesses. If you have a fever, Tylenol is your safest bet for quelling the discomfort. Now is the time to be mindful of everything you're putting into your body, you don't want to unintentionally make yourself feel worse.

5. Do your part, so no one else has to feel this way

If you are feeling the symptoms I've described, please, stay home until you test negative. You don't want someone to feel the same way you do. If you're positive but feel fine — I get it, but just stay home. There will be days when you feel fine, frustrated, and ready to break out of your quarantined home. But I'm telling you, the risk of getting others sick is not worth it. If you failed to do your part before, now is the time to redeem yourself. So do your part — stay home, get better, and live to remember that you prevented anyone else from getting sick.