A sick day can change your life, if you use it wisely. That’s what Patricia says at her A Better You blog. Let your mind wander while your body rests.

Here’s the condensed version of her post.

10 ways to make a sick day successful and productive.

1. Create a positive attitude. You will be healthier if your mind thinks constructive and uplifting thoughts. When you are sick in bed is not the time to consider all the things you cannot do. Instead, make a deal with yourself to think only about what you CAN do.

2. Give yourself a break. Your body needs rest when you are sick. Nurture it and get refreshed. Treat yourself to the softest tissue you can find for your sore nose.

3. Rearrange your priorities. Consider the list of worries or tasks swirling around in your head, and then do this exercise. If you were to die this very moment, what would still matter? Whatever is now unimportant can be put off until tomorrow.

4. Fight it. Be determined to beat it as soon as possible. If you are unable to physically get up, you can still accomplish great things with your mind. Decide to make the day one of accomplishment.

5. Use the time your body is resting to take a personal inventory. Are you happy with your life? Is anything bothering you? Are there any areas for personal growth and development? Are you effectively managing your stress and your time, or could you use some better coping skills for greater success? Is your life course on track? Choose three things, and decide to gather your courage and create a better you by facing them.

6. Evaluate your spiritual life. Are you at peace with yourself in the alone times, or does the quiet cause unsettling feelings to surface? Are you confident in your beliefs about God or is uncertainty creating discomfort?

7. Stay on track. Do not use your illness as an excuse to be derailed from your path in life. If you have been eating healthy, then keep doing it. Just because you can only eat crackers for a while does not mean you need to make up for all the lost meals once you feel like eating again.

8. Start a new habit or break a bad one. Why wait for New Year’s resolutions? Use your sick day to start fresh.

9. Dream. What would you do if you could change your life? Use your sick day, a day away from your typical routine, to consider your life course. Set goals and aim high.

10. Grow, create, and expand. Before your day is over, enrich your life. Learn something new. Watch a documentary or how-to show on television. Read a book about a subject you do not know.