While cooler temperatures account for happier people, suppressed immunity accounts for a lot of coughing, sneezing, runny noses and sore throats. However, being sick does not mean you get to call out of work and school for the entire week (although that would be quite nice).
Liam said it best, but killing the vermin that got you sick will not make that cold go away any faster.
1. Get as much rest as you can.
I know that this is painfully obvious and not always attainable, but rest truly is the best thing you can do for your body. Sleeping let's your body focus on fighting the infection rather than using up every ounce of energy that you have left to go to class, go to work, go to that club meeting, cook dinner, etc.
2. Make honey and cinnamon your new best friend.
If you have a cold, sinus infection or anything causing you to have a sore throat or cough louder than a thunderstorm, this life-hack is for you! Take one tablespoon of lukewarm honey mixed with a pinch of cinnamon once a day for three days, and it will cure your cough and shorten the length of your illness. It also strengthens immunity!
3. Work in small increments.
Friends, this is not the time to pull an all-nighter. Pushing yourself past your body's limits will only make you feel worse and lengthen the time of your symptoms. Work on homework for an hour or two and then rest. Here's a time that it is okay to watch Netflix all day. Sure, you can get some work done, but not all at once.
4. Hydrate! Hydrate! Hydrate!
No, this does not mean coke. You need water, Gatorade, Poweraide and lots of it! This is going to get the necessary fluids throughout your body to hydrate your cells and get them up and running to fight the infection. There is some truth to "flushing-out" an infection.
5. Fuel your body.
While warm cookies and ice cream sounds delicious, those types of food are not going to get you feeling better faster. Stick to chicken soup, protein, broths, veggies and fruits. Better quality foods give your body the ammunition it needs to get better.
6. Be considerate of your co-workers and classmates.
I am all about "toughing it out," but if you have a fever, please do not go out into the universe and infect your classmates and co-workers. Know your limits and remember that staying at home for one day will not make or break you.
7. Ask for help.
There is no shame in asking your roommate, friend, etc to bring you medicine or soup from Chic-fil-a. Stay in as much as you can!
8. Take hot showers or baths.
The steam helps open your sinuses and loosen up the congestion preventing you from breathing comfortably. Stand in the shower for a few extra minutes and take a few deep breaths (as deep as you can, because doing that while congested is next to impossible).
9. Do mindless activities.
Haven't had time to craft, color or play video games? Now you do! Take advantage of it!
10. Call your momma.
I don't care who you are or how big and bad you are, moms know best. They can always offer kind words and even more remedies!
So wash your hands, drink your fluids and take an abundance of naps! Hopefully you will be on the mend before you can get another sneeze out!
