You think it’s going to be a day like any other, but this morning you woke up with a tingling in your throat. Your nose is getting stuffy. Coughs are finding their way up your body and out of your mouth. Is it allergies? Nope. You’re getting sick. Damn. Damn, damn, damn.
A cold is the last thing you need during a busy work week. Yup, I get it. We’ve all been there, and nothing interrupts a steady work flow more than being sick. Many give in to the illness, thinking there is no way to prevent the inevitable. They take time off work and succumb to lying immobile in bed until it’s over. This is wrong! There are ways to stop a cold, even after it starts. Even though resting in bed is part of the solution, that doesn’t mean you’ve given in.
Here, I give you my four best ways to nip your sickness in the bud — directly from a DIY lady who doesn’t have time for the doctor and definitely doesn’t have time (or a bottomless bank account funded by a sugar daddy) to take days off — so you can get back to feeling 100-percent in no time.
Load up on fluids
Consuming lots of liquids unclogs mucus and stops congestion. This especially goes for hot liquids like tea. Add some honey in there, too, while you’re at it. Honey is great for killing bacteria. Colds are caused by viruses, so an antibacterial agent may not help, but it can’t hurt. Not too much honey, though, because overdoing it on sugar can negatively affect your immune system. Oh, and let’s not forget soup. Lots and lots of soup.
Vitamin C
Evidence suggests taking a mega-dose of vitamin C the day you feel a cold coming on may shorten the duration of the cold by about a day and ameliorate symptoms. There are plenty of over-the-counter products like Emergen-C, Airborne and even traditional supplements that provide plenty of this special cold-fighting vitamin.
Rest
Cancel whatever plans you made and dedicate yourself to having a relaxing night doing nothing but self-care. Not exerting yourself too much will help prevent the cold from getting worse, and avoiding alcohol also will help immensely. Excessive alcohol drinking lowers immune response. Load up on pillows, too, while you’re at it. Sleeping with your head at a higher angle than the rest of your body will help keep your nasal passages open.
Probiotics
Probiotics are one key to a healthy gut. Evidence suggests probiotics can help reduce the duration and severity of colds and flu.
Of course, if you’re feeling really sick, get yourself to a doctor, stat.
Hopefully these tips will help you beat the common cold, because looking and feeling sick sucks. Remember: Fresh air couldn’t hurt. Stepping outside the house and breathing in clean air can work wonders for feeling better.
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Sonia Stevens is a writer-comedian who picks apart the absurdities women face daily. Email her at Sonia.Stevens@ynotcam.com.
Sometimes you hallucinate when you’re sick – that’s how weird this video is!
