It seems like every time you turn around, someone you know is sick. My daughter, Tara, was ill for 3 days over the Christmas holiday and I've had several basketball referee partners give back their game because of the flu...or they didn't want to work with me.

Maybe you're not feeling well either but you don't want to go to the walk-in. Here are some things to try before heading to the hospital.

Problem: Headache - Aspirin or Tylenol can be expensive so try a pencil instead. Okay, this is for stress headaches not the self-made kind.

When you feel stress or anxious, you subconsciously clench your jaw or teeth. So put a pencil between your teeth...but don't bite.

This will relax your jaw muscle and prevent the headache. It could also prevent you from eating, so it can help you lose weight too. BONUS!

Problem: Stinky feet - Vodka. Wait, what? That's right, don't wash them in the bathtub with warm soapy water, wash them in vodka.

Soak a washcloth in vodka, it works as an antiseptic that destroys odor-causing fungus and bacteria. It dries out the moisture that allows the organisms to grow.

I think this is the wife's way of getting your feet smelling good and to get rid of the liquor around the house. Rubbing alcohol also works. I know what you're thinking, "why didn't you tell me that to begin with?"

Problem: Pizza Burn - Is this a common problem? Have you eaten pizza that's too hot and it burns the roof of your mouth? Of course, we all have.

Don't reach for the cold drink on the table. No, run to the freezer and gets some ice cream. The tissue is thin in the mouth, so it's sensitive to hot foods.

A spoonful of ice cream can soothe your mouth. Okay, a swig of a cold drink can work, but ice cream is way better. You can eat ice cream and claim that it's because your mouth hurts. The pain goes away and you can eat ice cream!

It's amazing what you can do with vodka, a pencil or ice cream. You can go here for other home remedies.

If you think you have the flu or a flu-like illness, you may want to go to WebMD, either way, the symptoms make you feel miserable. Did you know that your Fitbit might be able to help detect the Flu? Go here to find out how. If all else fails, then take a trip to see your doctor.

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