How do you pretend sick?
Physical Symptoms
- Run a bath: Hot water can help open up your respiratory tract and steam can ease sinus congestion.
- Cool the face: Placing cold compresses over the face can help bring down a fever and clear your head.
- Rub the eyes: Rubbing the area under your eyes can create red-eye and a puffy look.
- Fake nasal discharge: To make your nose appear runny, mix cornstarch and water together until it forms a paste. Then, apply it under your nose and around the nostrils.
- Gargle with salt water: Gargling with warm water can help soothe a sore throat. Adding salt can further reduce inflammation and discomfort.
- Take a deep breath: Inhale deeply through your nose and exhale slowly through your mouth. This can help you control your breath and reduce your heart rate, making you look calm and relaxed.
- Sit upright: Hunching over can aggravate back pain and make it more noticeable. Sit up straight and avoid leaning forward or slouching.
- Slow down: Move slowly and deliberately. Limp or drag one leg behind you if you're pretending to have a leg injury.
- Stay low-key: Pretend you're tired and uninterested in activities.
- Talk in a low voice: You can add authenticity by speaking in a raspy, congested voice.
Behavioral Symptoms
- Avoid eye contact: Making eye contact can make you seem more alert and engaged.
- Fidget in your seat: Nervousness can be shown through fidgeting.
- Slur your words: Talking slowly and slurring your words can mimic the effects of medication or illness.
- Take occasional deep breaths: Slow, deep breaths can create the illusion of fatigue.
- Feign nausea: Place a hand over your mouth or cover your face as if you're trying to prevent vomiting.
- Withdraw from your environment: Pretend to be uninterested in everything around you.
- Excuse yourself: Step out of the room periodically and pretend to have a coughing fit or use the bathroom.
- Avoid interactions: Stay in your room and minimize conversations.
- Act irritable: Become easily agitated or frustrated to avoid engaging in long conversations or activities.
- Complain about symptoms: Constantly mention how sick you feel and how much pain you're in.
Remember that pretending to be sick when you're not can have moral and ethical implications. It is generally not advisable to fake an illness unless it's for a very good reason, such as avoiding a potentially harmful situation or taking time off to recover from an actual illness.