Having a cold is a horrible thing. A cold makes us feel terribly unwell, and we are unable to function properly. Home and work lives suffer, and, of course, there is famously no cure for this particular virus. We just have to wait it out. However, although there is no cure, there are ways to make yourself feel better if you are suffering. These natural remedies are easy to incorporate into your day and will hopefully make you feel good enough to get back into some kind of normal routine.
- Hot Ginger Tea
Hot ginger tea is ideal for easing the pressure in your head and sinuses for a little while. It can be one of the most uncomfortable parts of having a cold, and feeling all heavy headed is part of the reason why getting on with things that would usually be so easy becomes so difficult. Ginger tea contains piperine and capsaicin, and these ingredients both have exceptional healing elements to them. They are so powerful that you can often feel better immediately. What’s even better is that ginger tea contains gingerol. This is the compound that reduces inflammation of the music membranes in the nose. When this happens, you will feel less stuffy, and breathing will become easier. Plus the pressure around your forehead will decrease.
- Chicken Soup
Although it sounds like an old wives’ tale, consuming hot, creamy, chicken soup with noodles is a good temporary cure for the common cold. Chicken soup is packed full of essential nutrients, all of which work on the immune system, boosting it massively. The chicken broth itself works to provide hydration throughout the body, and it clears the nasal passages. The vegetables fight off the virus and help make recovery quicker. Although you don’t have to add noodles to your soup, they are another crucial element. The noodles make you feel more full, and that aids rest and relaxation meaning that your body can heal itself more quickly.
- Steam
Steam is another great way to give yourself some relief from a nasty cold. You can inhale the steam in a number of different ways including enjoying a good cup of hot ginger tea as mentioned above. You could also have a hot shower and let the room steam up so that as the water soothes your aches and pains, plus you are also breathing in steam which opens up your airways and clears your nasal passages. Alternatively, you can take a large bowl and fill it with hot water. Add some aromatherapy essential oils which will help you breathe more easily (peppermint, tea tree, and eucalyptus are all good choices) and then lean over the bowl with a cloth over your head to avoid the steam escaping. Breathe in deeply and let the steam do its work.
- Make A Chest Salve
Some people’s breathing is affected more than others when it comes to having a cold. If your breathing is particularly bad, you can make your own natural chest salve to ease the problem. Even if you’re feeling really unwell, this salve is an easy thing to make so you can still do it, and it is worth it if you are going to feel better once you use it. All you need is some peppermint essential oils and coconut oil, plus an airtight container. Simply melt the coconut oil, remove it from the heat, and, as it is cooling, add a few drops of the peppermint oil (how much will depend on how strong you want it to smell). Stir it, pour it into the airtight container, and leave to cool. Once it is cool, it will be a paste which you can rub onto your chest and which should help to ease your congestion somewhat.
- Use A Hot Water Bottle
A hot water bottle is a wonderful thing and can really help to make you feel a lot better if you are suffering from a cold. Remember to leave an inch orso if air at the top when you are filling it – this is to ensure that it is not overfilled and won’t accidentally burst, scalding you. The hot water bottle is best placed either on your chest or between your shoulders blades for the best results, but you will need to experiment to determine where the best position is for you.
- Hydration
Staying hydrated is a simple yet wholly effective method to make yourself feel that much better when you have a cold. Drinking water throughout the day is a good idea, but if you prefer you can add some drops of lemon or honey to it, and perhaps heat it upto make a good warming drink to soothe you. The lemon and honey will help make you feel better (especially if you are congested and have a sore throat), and the water will ensure that your organs are kept healthy enough to fight off the virus quickly. If you don’t drink enough, you won’t be strong enough to fight it, and you will feel unwell for longer.
- Rest
We’re all busy, and we all have the idea that there is no way that we could take to our beds for even a short period of time because there is so much to do be done. However, in order to really shake a cold taking some time to rest is the best idea. Your body will be able to concentrate on healing and it will be a quicker process than if you try to battle through it all regardless. A day or two in bed when you have a cold is much better than a week or two of suffering because you can’t shake it. Those weeks of being unwell will mean your work is probably going to be under par and you may not be as productive as you could be. It’s far better to take a shorter amount of time off and come back fitter – it will be a lot easier to catch up this way.
Leave a Reply