It’s that time of year again, cold and flu season. We all know that over-the-counter medicine is the easiest way to get rid of a cold. However, these drugs can cause side effects, and there is always the chance that the cold will return. What’s worse than having a cold? Having a cold and then getting sick with something else, like strep throat or pneumonia. So if you want a natural way to rid of cold this season, follow these tips!
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Drink Plenty Of Fluids
The worst part about having a cold is the sore throat that comes with it. One way to help relieve this pain is by drinking lots of fluids. Make sure you stay hydrated throughout the day because water will thin out mucus and make it easier for you to cough things up from your lungs. Some other good options are tea or soup broth, both of which have natural antioxidants that boost your immune system!
Use Essential Oils To Keep Airways Clear And Open
Essential oils are great at keeping everything in your body running smoothly. The best part is that you can use them to support your respiratory system by opening airways that have been clogged up because of the flu. Some good choices are peppermint, eucalyptus, and lavender. They help relieve congestion and make it easier to breathe! You can also diffuse these essential oils throughout your home for added relief!
Try Nasal Irrigation
This is a great natural cold remedy for those who have more severe congestion from nasal allergies or sinus infections. It involves rinsing out your nose with a saline solution that can be purchased at any pharmacy or health store. Use an oil-free saline spray to flush out mucous and other irritants from your throat, lungs, sinuses, and nasal passages. This will make it easier for you to breathe as well!
Eat Foods That Fight Colds And Boost Immunity
Citrus fruits like oranges, grapefruit, lemons, and limes are rich in vitamin C, which can help boost your immune system. This is especially important during the fall and winter when the flu season peaks. Onions also work wonders against viruses because they contain quercetin, an antiviral that reduces inflammation while boosting immunity.
Garlic is another powerful immunity booster. It contains allicin, an antibacterial compound that helps kill off pathogens before they make you sick! Other good foods include chicken soup (this has anti-inflammatory action) soybeans (full of vitamin E), ginger root (good for nausea), turmeric (an anti-inflammatory), and dark green veggies.
Take Supplements Like Vitamin C, Zinc & Elderberry Extracts
Vitamin C is a natural cold fighter that will help you maintain your strength as your body fights off this annoying virus. Vitamin C also boosts immunity and helps heal cuts and bruises quickly. Zinc blocks the binding of viruses to cells, which means it can stop a cold from developing in its tracks! Elderberry extract prevents respiratory viruses from replicating, so you will recover much more quickly if you take it regularly!
Drink Tea With Honey, Ginger, And Lemon
Drinking tea is a great way to stay warm, reduce stress and relax your body. Plus, sipping on hot tea can also help you get over your cold faster because the steam helps clear up congestion in your sinuses. To make it even more powerful, add ginger root (good for nausea), honey (antioxidants that boost immunity), and lemon juice (rich in vitamin C). All these things together will help you feel better fast!
Take A Hot Bath With Epsom Salts
This might not sound like a natural cold remedy, but it works! Our bodies have a harder time fighting off illness when we are stressed. Taking a hot bath with Epsom salts can relieve stress and relax your body. The magnesium in the salts will also detoxify your body by helping it release built-up toxins from flu viruses that want to make you sick. It will also lower your blood pressure and help you feel calmer, which will make it easier for your body to fight off the cold!
Get Plenty Of Rest And Exercise
Exercise boosts immunity so it’s a great way to fight off colds faster. Many people think that exercising is just for your muscles. However, your immune system uses physical activity as well. If you’re not used to exercising, start slow with 20 minutes of light cardiovascular work three times per week. Don’t forget about sleep too because this allows the body to rejuvenate and become stronger. The hormone cortisol increases when you don’t get enough sleep which makes it harder for your immune system to fight off viruses!
Use A Humidifier For Added Relief
A humidifier adds moisture back to the air in your home. It helps open up stuffy nasal passages so breathing is easier and you feel less congested. If you don’t have a humidifier, try boiling a pot of water on the stove. Then place it under your desk so the steam can help clear out your sinuses! Soaking a washcloth in cool water with eucalyptus oil added will also do wonders for congestion.
A Little Prevention Goes A Long Way
You can drink lots of water or take supplements but that’s not going to do much good if you continue to put yourself at risk by hanging out with sick people! Try to avoid anyone who is coughing and sneezing all day long. They’re releasing germs into the air every time they breathe out. If someone around you is sick, go home or just tell them that if they have a cold they shouldn’t be around anyone right now!
Conclusion
Although it is difficult to keep yourself from getting sick during the cold winter months, there are things you can do to give your body a boost. By drinking lots of fluids, taking supplements, and eating healthy foods you can increase your immune system and let it do its job! You will find that these simple steps make a world of difference when it comes to getting over those pesky colds as soon as possible!
