We all get sick, but some people are afraid to use their sick days while others pride themselves for being dedicated workers and not having to use them at all.

Because some of us get sick of work more often than our health fails, here are eight things you can do to make sure your “sick day” works for you.

Actually get some rest. Most of us are workaholics and are always on the go. Turn off your blackberry and detach yourself from the rest of the world for a few hours. After all, you’re “sick” and the boss doesn’t really expect you to respond to emails if you have food poisoning. (wink)

Get some things done around the house. Run errands, do laundry and complete other necessary chores that you’ve been putting off. Once you get back to work, you may not have the free time to tackle these tasks, so take care of them while you can.

Job Hunt. Spend the day revamping your resume, posting it on job boards and setting up/going on interviews. You can even bring your lap top to the bed to relax and be productive at the same time.

Knock out necessary doctor’s appointments. Go for routine check-ups with the dentist, physician and eye doctor. These appointments never run on time so instead of taking a 3-hr lunch break, take the day to get your health in order.

Exam Prep Day. If you’re taking an exam such as the LSAT, MCAT or GMAT, strategically use a sick day as extra time to prep for your upcoming exam. The extra hours of studying may be exactly what you need to get the score you desire.

QT with the significant other. If you’ve been neglecting your loved one, get him or her to take a sick day as well and spend the time together. Watch movies, cook together or just enjoy each their company.

How about an extended weekend? Plan your sick day on a Friday or Monday and give yourself extra personal time. While scheduling these “extended weekends” too often will raise red flags, there shouldn’t be an issue with doing this once in a while.

Complete your checklist. Take the day to work on personal projects that you just never have the time to complete. Even though you may have some free time after work during the week, getting to your list while your mind is clear and stress-free could help with efficiency and effectiveness.

While you don’t want to over do it, from time to time you can surely use sick days to your advantage. Because truth be told, some of us get sick of work more often than our health fails.