It’s that time of year again… cold season. With the hustle & bustle of the holidays it can become easier for your immune system to slow down and catch the dreaded colds we try to stay away from. Those multivitamins can only do so much!
I go to school, work 20+hours and then fill my time with events and activities. It is very difficult to sit back and let a cold take over my schedule. But what did I find myself doing this week? I let myself take a full day off to do absolutely nothing which I devoted to treating my cold and allowing my body to recuperate. Colds nag at you and drive you crazy. How can they best be treated besides for the obvious ‘give it time‘?
Here are a few pointers on Kicking Your Cold the all-natural way:
Let yourself sleep
Staying well-rested is important for building immunity back up. It is easy to get run-down when you are tired which weakens your immune system and may have led to that cold in the first place. This seems like a silly bullet because it is so simple, but it works. Sleeping in later or taking a day off to get some shut eye will make you feel so much better. During the cold winter months and peak of the season it is hard to get sleep, but you need it. Try logging your sleep every night and plan on the hours you go to bed and wake up in the morning. Try and get in at least six hours if not eight.
A few ways to get a better night sleep when you have a cold is to sleep with an air purifier on your bedside table, sleep sitting upright to reduce congestion in the morning, and to play some soothing music to help calm you down.
Drink tea morning + night
There are teas with ingredients especially good for colds. Traditional Medicinals is a brand with incredible, natural teas that relieves dryness in your throat and makes you feel relaxed. Adding a few drops of honey and lemon to your hot brew is great for your health and adds just a hint of sweetness. Teas with key Vitamins are also an immune system booster.
When it comes to throat-soothing tea here are a few of my favorite flavors:
- Celestial Seasonings Candy Cane Lane Decaf Green Tea
- Celestial Seasonings Nutcracker Sweet
- Traditional Medicinals Throat Coat
- Traditional Medicinals Ginger with Chamomile
- Traditional Medicinals Turmeric with Meadowsweet & Ginger
- Traditional Medicinals Tulsi with Ginger
The Traditional Medicinals tea bags are so cute. They have little sayings on the tags and make you feel more optimistic. It’s an immune system and mentality boost all in one! I like to drink black tea in the morning for caffeine and a decaf herbal tea with ginger at night. If your cold is really bad and is causing you to cough definitely get Throat Coat (it works wonders).
Use all-natural throat lozenges
What is the one thing we all buy when we feel sick? Cough drops, right? Well, not all cough drops are good for you in excess. Thanks to Pine Bros, you don’t have to worry about the unfamiliar medicine in some leading cough drops brands. Why? Because these all-natural lozenges are made with Glycerin and Imported natural gum acacia. They taste great and are a soft-ish texture that won’t take you forever to finish. The Plant Glycerin soothes mucous membranes and makes your throat feel smooth, but not numb.
In my opinion, these are one of the best (if not THE best) throat drops on the market. They come in multiple flavors including wild cherry, honey, orange, licorice and lemon-lime which are chock full of vitamin C. You know they are legit because they’ve been ranked #1 over other leading brands for it’s “superior Throat Coating Action” and they were created by a confectionery maker back in 1870 (aka you know they must taste good).
NOTE: These are gluten-free and are not made for chewing despite the soft texture. They have been on the market since 1870 and are truly like nothing else. Check out their website for a Buy 2, Save $1.00 coupon! They can be purchased at CVS, Rite Aid, Safeway, kroger, Walgreens, Walmart and a handful of other drugstores and supermarkets.
Stay hydrated
Staying hydrated is the most important thing you can do for yourself, not only when you’re sick but, on a daily basis. When you are sick it can be helpful to track water intake to make sure you are getting in at least 64oz. every day. I use an app called My Water. I use it on the daily so I can be assured of my consistency. When I don’t track it I don’t drink enough. You can also use My Fitness Pal if you use it to track food.
If you add a lemon to your water it can loosen up stuffiness and congestion. In addition, the Vitamin C can shorten the overall length of your cold for faster recovery. Drink water hot or cold and it will still keep you hydrated. I aim for 8oz. every hour to stay on track for the day. When my throat starts to get sore I go back to drinking either hot water or tea.
Consume warm, soft foods for meals
I always wondered why we eat soup when we have a cold. Of course the warm liquid soothes the throat, but why is it so beneficial? The steam that you breathe in loosens up congestion, the salt has throat-soothing properties, and it keeps you hydrated. It is easy to swallow and always tastes good. It’s not a cure, but why not eat what makes you feel the best? Aside from the traditional homestyle chicken noodle soup I like tomato basil, italian wedding, and minestrone.
In the morning toast with butter or jam, oatmeal, and scrambled eggs are my favorites. These are all soft foods that I find don’t upset the stomach when it’s already not feeling good. I definitely like to stick to warm foods and away bars, cereals, and sugary treats (muffins, donuts, etc.) because they often make me feel a little worse.
Aromatherapy Candles + Oils
Relaxing scents work wonders when you’re sick and/or stressed out. Aromatherapy oils and candles are a great way to keep you calm when you’re not feeling well. Getting worked up makes you feel terrible, so why bother? Light one of your favorite scents and sit back a while. This Sage & Citrus candle from Yankee Candle is lovely! Every smell has unique benefits.
Here are a few of my favorite options:
- Lavender
- Jasmine
- Cinnamon
- Peppermint
Cinnamon and peppermint are also perfect for the holidays. This way you can stay happy and festive! You can’t beat it.
If you only have the common cold try not to take any prescribed antibiotics. They fight at good bacteria in your body and should only be taken when absolutely necessary. If the cold is unpleasant try taking Dayquil or Nyquil for 1-2 days when it’s the worst. Once symptoms start to alleviate go back to natural remedies. Excess medicine is never good for the body – treat yourself the all-natural way to prevent future illnesses.
