The common cold doesn’t always require a doctor’s visit, but the symptoms can sometimes leave you lethargic and whiney. If you’re stuck on the couch with a box of tissues in your lap, consider these at-home remedies to make your symptoms a little more bearable.
This may seem like an obvious one, but make sure you are staying hydrated. Your body is 60 percent water and it can’t function properly unless you are hydrated. Plus, if you have the cold sweats, you need to replace the water that your body is expelling.
Not only will this help you feel cleaner and overall a bit more put together, but the steam from an extra hot shower will actually help with your congestion and coughing. The addition of a humidifier in your bedroom can also alleviate your coughing during the night, helping you get that much-needed rest.
If you’re making some dinner for yourself, incorporate garlic into your recipe. Garlic is thought to have antimicrobial properties, which can both help heal and prevent sickness. There are plenty of delicious recipes that incorporate garlic, so grab a few cloves and whip something up.
When you have a sore throat and a cold, any hot beverage can be soothing. However, try adding some honey and lemon to a hot cup of tea. The tea will help soothe your throat alongside the honey, which has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. Honey also works as a cough suppressant, which will help prevent further irritation of your throat.
The addition of lemon juice or a lemon slice will incorporate Vitamin C into your tea, which can help boost your immune system. The citrus from the lemon can also help clear out your throat if you have a cold.
Probiotics is another word for good bacteria, which help protect and strengthen your immune system and digestive system. These probiotics can be found in many foods, but they are most commonly found in yogurt. Have a cup of yogurt for breakfast (maybe even drizzle some honey on top) to help your body fight off the infection.
Of course, we all know that we’re supposed to drink chicken soup when we are sick, but why? Well, as it turns out, chicken soup can help slow the movement of white blood cells in your body, allowing them to gather in areas of infection to heal and prevent it from spreading. Plus, the heat from the soup will help soothe your throat and warm your entire body.
Getting well is a priority when you’re sick, but it doesn’t always require a doctor’s visit. There are plenty of ways to alleviate your cold and flu symptoms from the comfort of your own home. The next time your nose stuffs up or your throat gets scratchy, try some of these simple remedies.