Nobody likes dealing with winter colds. From the stuffy nose to the aching head and even the lingering cough, this irritating illness can make you feel terrible. Of course, with so many things to do and people to see during the chilly months, you cannot be expected to lie around while you get over a troubling cold. Fortunately, you don’t have to. The following five tips will help you reduce your symptoms and effectively conquer that irksome sickness in no time:
Keep Warm and Rest
One of the easiest and most obvious ways to lessen the impact of a cold is to let your body heal on its own time. Over stressing and straining can worsen a cold and make you susceptible to further illness. Your body is essentially fighting its own battle, and so a warm, fuzzy blanket and a soft bed are fundamental for healing.
Drink Tea
A fragrant, steaming cup of tea can be just the right way to help relieve the symptoms of a cold. Drinking hot liquids prevents dehydration and provides relief for irritated nasal membranes as you inhale the warm steam. Herbal teas such as chamomile or peppermint are most commonly used in this practice and are generally effective at soothing a cold.
Apply Heat or Cold
A damp cloth can be heated or chilled, and then applied to the sinus areas, where the congestion and pain are the worst. Frozen vegetables can work as well.
Sleep Sitting Up
When lying flat on your back or your side, irritated sinuses fill with mucus. Sitting up while resting, or sleeping with an extra pillow will help relieve congestion by promoting drainage in the sinus areas. This will make resting easier and also help to alleviate the symptoms of your cold.
Stay Hydrated
It may be difficult to remain hydrated while fighting a cold, but it is one of the most important tips to remember. It’s essential to prevent dehydration by drinking eight or more glasses of water a day while you’re sick. Also, lemon water, broths, citrus juices that contain vitamin C, and herbal teas can be highly effective at combating a cold and the dehydration that comes along with it.
Becoming ill is never fun. A constant cold can be less than desired, especially during the hectic holidays, and can be enough to make anyone miserable. You’ll find that these helpful tips can help relieve the symptoms and slowly heal your body, making it pass quickly.