9 Ways to Kick A Cold (Quick!) This Season
I was blessed with the common cold for the first time in ages this fall. Even with modern medicine, there’s no way to make it go away immediately. However, you can kick a cold a little quicker with these 9 tips.
1. Get plenty of rest
It seems silly to say, because we all know that rest is the key to getting better when you’re sick. However, a lot of us tend to keep going even when we’re not feeling 100%. Get at least your 8 hours every night, if not a few more.
2. Drink lots of liquids
Again: seemingly obvious. I don’t know about you, but I drink tea non-stop when I’m sick. On a sore throat, the hot water is just about the only thing that really soothes it.
3. Blow your nose
With a cold, a lot of the reason you continue to stay sick is thanks to all the congestion built up in your sinuses. (And it can also lead to a full-on sinus infection.) So make sure you’re regularly clearing out that airway.
4. Gargle salt water
Salt water will clean away irritation and germs and also soothe your throat all at the same time.
5. Take a hot shower or bath
Heat certainly helps when it comes to fighting a cold – both inside and outside of your body. The steam from a shower or bath will help to clear your sinuses and bring welcome relief.
6. Use a heating pack on your sinuses
Again, heat goes a long way when it comes to breaking up that mucus. Use a heating pack on your sinuses to give relief and break up all the fluids.
7. Wash your hands & disinfect
You don’t want to re-infect yourself or others around you. So be sure to wash your hands often and disinfect things you’ve touched. Also, be sure to throw away those used tissues right away!
8. Prop yourself up at night
Sleeping is often not an easy task when you’re unable to breathe, achy, and all the other lovely symptoms that go along with having a cold. Try adding a pillow under your head at night to help yourself breathe more easily.
9. Stay away from other germy people
Try to avoid flying, large groups of people, and kids, if possible. With your immune system already compromised, being around people that could give you additional germs isn’t a good idea.