The Common Cold: How To Feel Better
We all know those little signs of coming down with the common cold. It starts with that pesky sore throat and that feeling of just not quite being 100%. Before long, we're surrounded by mountains of Kleenex and cold remedies, bundled up in bed and just hoping that it will go away as quickly as it came. Some of us try to be heroes and battle through the whole process, determined to continue with our day-to-day lives. It's "mind over matter!" we tell ourselves, and proceed to go the extra mile, continuing with our daily activities. Off to work we go, and cough and sneeze all over our colleagues (who proceed to stay away from us as far as possible). We think that we can ignore the signs and say things like "I'll bake some cookies! Surely that will make me feel better!"; and then we exert the tiny bit of energy that our bodies need to repair themselves. So, I'm no expert, but aside from the usual over-the-counter remedies, here are some things that I’ve learned you can do to to just feel better.
Tip #1: Give in to it
Now, I'm not always one for taking my own advice. Giving in to any kind of sickness is difficult for me. But when I finally bite the bullet and realize that my body is trying to tell me something, giving in to to common cold seems to be the first step to getting on the mend. Accept that your body is telling you that it needs to slow down and repair itself. The sooner you do this, the better!
Tip #2: Rest
We all have busy lives, and resting is not always a viable option. But taking some time for yourself to bundle up in warm blankets and rest as much as possible will do your body the world of good. This might mean having to take a day off work, or arranging for someone to look after the kids or walk the dog, but even if you just get one good day of rest, it's a huge investment to your body.
Tip #3: Drink Plenty
Getting fluids into your body will assist greatly in the recovery process. It helps to keep the body hydrated and will soothe an irritated throat. I highly recommend sipping Jasmine Tea, with a little honey and lemon. It is so soothing and good for you. Avoid caffeine and alcohol if possible, and sip water throughout the day.
Tip #4: Give Your Immune System a Boost
While you are sick, eating healthily is more important than ever. Eat citrus fruits that are rich in Vitamin C, as well as taking a multi-vitamin supplement daily. Choose foods that are high in anti-oxidants such as broccoli, spinach and blueberries. Chicken soup makes an excellent meal because it is soothing and nutritional.
Tip #5: Steam Spa
This is a great old fashioned trick, and it really works! Half-fill a bowl with steaming hot water, add a few drops of menthol if you have any, carefully lower yourself over the bowl and cover your head with a towel. Try to enclose the steam as much as possible and take some long, deep breaths to help clear the nose and sinuses. Repeat as frequently as you feel is necessary. Having a humidifier in the room will have also have a similar therapeutic effect.
Ah, To Breathe Again!
Soon you'll be back to feeling like your good old self, so happy to put aside the Kleenex box and be able to breathe clearly.
Then you will be able to take on the world once again!
Remember to keep yourself healthy by frequently washing your hands to avoid the spread of germs. Eat nutritious foods and exercise regularly to keep your body in pristine condition.
Take care of yourself!
Drink this 1 hour before bed!
- Hot Buttered Rum
Enjoy a hot beverage that will help you sleep like a baby.
Further Reading
- How to Get Over a Cold Quickly
Catching the common cold is no fun, but there are a few things you can do to feel better. How do you get over a cold fast? Just follow these simple suggestions and you should be back on your feet in no time.
Comments
Useful tips for me as I am very prone to having cold.
Great advice. I would think that many people strive to fight off a cold. I never thought about giving in to it because my body is trying to alert me. Great tips. Thanks so much!
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Hi pinkytoky, I'm glad you found it useful. Thanks for stopping by.
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Thanks for the great comment Dexter! It is so important to listen to what our bodies are trying to tell us.
good info! very well written.
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Hi Sara! Thanks for stopping by.
Really enjoy your writing style and great information too. I am one of those who just takes cold and flu tablets and works through it - but it takes me days and days to get over it and if I would just take a day off Iam sure I would get better a lot faster. Next time I will take your advice and look after myself.
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I know what you mean, Mel Jay...sometimes when I take those cold and flu tablets they make me feel even worse. Thanks for the nice comment!
I very seldom get ill in any way at all. I take turmeric almost every day and eat natural foods full of antioxidants. If I should get a cold, I will refer to your great Hub.
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Those are some great tips, Hyphenbird. I had never thought of taking turmeric! I love eating foods full of antioxidants though, especially blueberries (with lots of ice cream, it's nice and soothing on a sore throat).
2 asprin, a spoonful of nyquil and 2 shots of patron gold. You will be 70% better in the am. Do the same ingredients the next day and you will be 100% better in the am.
Not recommended for children.
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Hi Mrs. J.B. thanks for these suggestions, they are great!
Great hub. Its amazing how some of the most intelligent people I know act so silly when they are sick. You have to rest! going to work sick is just dumb, you won't feel better and you'll make everyone else sick too. Sleep and Vitamin C I agree are your best bets. Voted up!
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Hi nycgrl, isn't it funny how we act! When we go to work we don't want to be there, and when we are sick we force ourselves to go to work. I appreciate your vote up, thanks!
Hi Clover that is some fine advise, but then may be you should follow it :) Yup all that work for me.. and some ginger tea too .. soothes my throat and makes me feel good Turmeric and honey is a sure fire recipe to get the cold out and yogurt :) plenty of it )
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Hi Dawn, I appreciate you stopping by and posting such a useful comment and excellent advice :-)
Such great tips you have outlined here Cloverleaf. These are great tips to beat the normal cold. It is that time of year that colds will come in all kinds of types. These are great useful tips!
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Hi thelyricwriter, yes it's getting to be that time of year again and I've already gotten "the sniffles" a few times already. Be sure to check out the Hot Buttered Rum recipe linked from this hub, written by Just Ask Susan - it's a real winner!
Cloverleaf.
Usefull tips, i catch cold very often whenever there is a change of season. Normally i take steam and some medicines. Well this time i will try some of your tips as well and will see how it goes on :) thanks again
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Hi aceblogs, nice to see you again! Thanks for coming by to comment on my hub. I hope you stay well this season!
Cloverleaf
Great Hub, Cloverleaf! I'm not sick (yet) but Jasmine tea with honey and lemon sounds sooo good! Very well written with good common sense advice. Thumbs up and very useful!
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Hillbilly Zen, anything with honey is just sooooo soothing when you have a cold. Thanks for coming by, I do hope that you stay well and cold-free!
Cloverleaf
Hi Cloverleaf,
This is great advice for anyone who is down with the common cold. I always love honey and lemon and warm homemade chicken soup. When you're under the weather, you need a little comfort food. Thanks for sharing.
Take Care :)
Regards,
A.CreativeThinker
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Hi A.CreativeThinker,
Thanks so much for coming by to comment! There's something so comforting about homemade chicken soup, isn't there? Have a great day,
Cloverleaf.
Great hub Cloverleaf!
It's very unusual that I get a cold, maybe its all the organic vegetables and fruit that I eat that helps, or my everyday beverage of Greek mountain tea and green loose leaf tea with a big chunk of fresh ginger and honey that does it? However if I ever start to feel under the weather, I will refer to your very useful hub. Bookmarked, voted up and useful!
By the way, I just looove the sick little fellow on top of your page. He's just adorable!!
Sannel
This has been a good read for me this morning. I woke up not feeling so great and I have to be healthy this week because I am getting married on Friday!!!
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Hi Sannel, you must be a complete picture of health with all that nutrition you get every day! The poor pup is soooo cute, isn't he? I found that picture on Morgue File and just had to use it for this hub! Thanks so much for commenting, and keep eating that organic produce and drinking that delicious Greek mountain tea :)
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Hi AllSuretyBonds, I know I say "give in to it" but repeat after me: "I am not getting sick, I am not getting sick, I am not getting sick!". You have to be perfectly healthy for your wedding on Friday!!!!!!
I had to finally go to the doctor today for antibiotics for a sinus infection that began as a cold. I will try to follow your well-outlined preventative measures from now on. Great hu, Thanks!
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Hi rebecca, sorry to hear about your sinus infection. I went through the same thing earlier this year. Have your tried the netipot? It does a great job of clearing out the sinuses (you can google it, or just ask at your pharmacy). Oregano oil is also an excellent natural remedy for sinus infections. I do hope that you feel better soon.
Cloverleaf
Up/Useful and thankful not to have a cold!:)
I am a bad sick person! So always better if I can crawl under the covers and sleep--otherwise I whine!
Graet tips! Another one is to take Echinacea at the firts hint of an illness. It boosts your immune system. Thanks for writing this hub...tis the season. Voted up and useful.
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You're absolutely right, pedrn44! I had forgotten about Echinacea; it's an excellent immune booster.
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