Getting rid of a cold…
November 26, 2018
Eat well. The cold weather can make us want to comfort eat, especially processed junk food. Try and avoid fatty, unhealthy food and opt for lots of fruit and veg (at least 5 pieces a day) packed with healthy vitamins to give your body a well-deserved boost. Lots of zzzz! Lack of sleep can weaken your immune system, making you more susceptible to illness. Rest and let your body repair. Take painkillers. Painkillers such as ibuprofen, paracetamol and aspirin are the only medication known to treat colds. Eat Garlic. Garlic possesses antioxidants with antimicrobial, antiviral, and antibiotic properties. On top of that, it aids with decongestion to clear up the sinuses pronto.
How can sleep speed up recovery time?
- Get plenty of rest. Your body needs time to get back to full health, so take time to just do nothing.
- Drink lots of fluids, both hot and cold. Keeping hydrated is vital. Herbal teas such as sage, ginger, lemon, camomile, liquorice root, slippery elm and green tea can also help ease a sore, nose or throat problems. For those suffering from inflammation of the mucus membranes, fresh turmeric tea is perfect as an anti-inflammatory.
- Take over the counter remedies, such as paracetamol and ibuprofen.
- Take a hot shower or bath. Breathing in steam may moisten a scratchy throat and nose, as well as loosen any congestion.
- It’s vital to get your RDA for vitamin E and other antioxidants including A, C and B-complex vitamins and minerals and they have properties that enhance immune response.
- Cut down on your booze. The more you drink the weaker your immune system is and that is when flu and cols will attack. So, cut down on your booze intake.
- Don’t smoke. Smoke paralyses the cilia, the hair-like cells lining the nose and airways that sweep incoming viruses away before they can infect.