Combating the Common Cold

Hello, dears!

Unfortunately I have fallen ill with the notorious common cold. What is really troubling about the common cold is that there is no cure-all; you can only treat and soothe the symptoms. Thus, today I am going to give you some of the ways that I bounce back from this pesky sickness. These are not medical recommendations, just things that have helped me feel better in the past.

Hot Chocolate and Tea

One of the really unfortunate symptoms of the common cold is often a sore throat. I find that drinking hot chocolate, tea, or coffee really eases the pain that comes from the sinuses running. While I'm talking about liquids, make sure that you also drink a lot of water. Hydration is key to my speedy recoveries.

Spices

When I'm sick, I like to eat a lot of spicy foods like foods with chipotles, black and red peppers, or even foods with a touch of curry. These spices help to open up the nose so that you can breathe easier.

Bed Rest

This concept is often very difficult for us because we lead such busy lives. However, if you don't rest when you are sick, I guarantee that you are slowing down your recovery. You don't have to lie down all day, but you certainly need to lie down long enough to let your immune system properly fight off the cold. 

Take a Hot Shower

This is one of my favorite things to do when I am sick. I find that it provides almost instant relief to the pent up congestion in my head. Furthermore, I love that ultra clean feeling that you get; this feeling is especially apparent when you shower when you're sick.

Cough Drops

I love cough drops; my favorite are the Halls cough drops with menthol. They ease the throat, stop coughing, and open up the nose. I highly recommend Halls (any cough drops are a good option though) for more instant relief. 

Afrin

And finally, for my drug of choice, I select Afrin. I know that nasal sprays are not for everyone, but I really appreciate how quickly they are able to alleviate the congestion build-up in my head. If you want more immediate gratification AND long term relief, I highly recommend trying Afrin. 

That's a wrap for now! There are some that I didn't include such as light exercise and soups, but I find that the ones that I did include are the methods that help me recover the fastest. Let me know in the comments if you have found any miracle products for "curing" the common cold!

Cheers.