Believe it or not, the common cold still exists, as does the flu and allergies. While the COVID pandemic is top of mind for many if they start to feel ill, there is a very good chance it could just be a cold or the flu. The chart below can be a good place to start when trying to determine what might be making you feel unwell.
So if you’re one of the unfortunate (yet many!) people this winter who are feeling under the weather and think it might be a cold, here are 5 cold-busting tips that’ll get you better and back to your normal self in no time…
1. Hot Drinks are a Must!
Hot drinks are a fantastic way to beat colds during the winter. Because not only are they a comforting beverage to keep you warm, but they also help to relax and open up the airways. In addition to this, hot drinks also help to clear the airways by breaking down and loosening lung mucus from colds.
But that’s not all! Because they even help to gradually kill viruses too. So taking some extra time out for a hot coffee, herbal tea or honey wouldn’t go a miss! Plus, honey has amazing anti-inflammatory, anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties which will work wonders.
2. Spice up Your Life With Some Chili, Garlic & Ginger
Don’t be afraid to turn up the heat this winter. Because herbs and spices such as chili, garlic and ginger are full of many great anti-inflammatory, anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties too. Plus, they also contain powerful antioxidants to boost your immune system – which will help your body to fight off those nasty viruses quicker.
3. Dose up on Some Immune System Boosting Leafy Greens
As you may already know by now, it’s very important to keep your immune system strong and healthy – especially if you already have a cold. So this is why dosing up on some leafy greens is very important.
Because leafy greens are often rich in vitamin C which is a great immune system boosting property. Plus, leafy greens are very high in iron – which plays a very important role in the absorption of iron in the body.
4. Invest in a Hearty Chicken Soup or Some Bone Broth
Having a cold can also drastically decrease your appetite. So one great way to gain as much nutrition as possible when you are unable to eat is to drink some soup. However, chicken soup and bone broth are particularly very effective in fighting off those nasty colds.
Because chicken soup and bone broth are both great sources of protein and zinc! Plus, they are also great for staying hydrated which is also very important.
5. Take Some Time out for Some Steam Therapy
Colds can leave you feeling extremely congested, so steam therapy is an ideal method for instantly clearing the airways too. For instance, steam therapy can provide fast relief and can simply be carried out at home through hot baths and showers. Plus, simply inhaling steam from a hot bowl of water can also go a very long way in reducing cold symptoms.
So overall, colds don’t have to completely ruin your festive spirit or inhibit your productivity. Plus, now that you have these useful cold-busting tips at hand, hopefully you’ll be back to being bright-eyed and bushy tailed in no time!