Are you starting to get a sore throat? Is your loved one looking a little more pale than usual? Cold and flu season is right around the corner. The best way to stop a cold is by stopping it before it starts. That’s why we’ve broken down the best way to combat the flu before it puts you out of commission.
Sleep is Your Best Friend
There’s a reason why when you’re sick all you want to do is sleep. Sleep is the ultimate rejuvenator of your body’s immune system. A recent scientific study found that people who slept 6 hours or less a night were 4 times more likely to catch a cold when exposed to the virus. The study also found that people who got at least 7 hours of sleep were able to fight off the symptoms of a cold quicker. If you have issues sleeping, there are numerous natural supplements that can help you get a better night’s sleep. Melatonin, Valerian Root and Magnesium are all-natural supplements that have been shown to work well.
Clear Your Nasal Congestion
Having clogged sinuses is a Flu symptom that can impact every part of your day. One of the easiest ways to clear out your sinuses is with a warm steam shower. If that doesn’t do the trick, you could also try a saline spray. Saline sprays are isotonic and contain the same saline solution that’s in your body. People also use all-natural remedies like eucalyptus oil to help clear out your sinuses. If neither of these tricks works for you, eucalyptus oil is an all-natural solution that helps fight sinus congestion.
– Place 7-10 drops into a pot of boiling water
– Lean over the bow, at a safe distance, and then begin to breathe in the eucalyptus oil-infused water
– It’s not recommended to do this for more than a minute at a time
Keep your areas clean
Hands, more than any other part, are major culprits for spreading the flu. That’s why it’s important to keep your hands, and everywhere they touch, clean of germs. Cleaning your work and common areas with Lysol wipes is a good way to kill the dormant germs waiting to make your day worse. Also, doctors recommend scrubbing your hands with soap for at least 20 seconds. A good way to teach this to your kids is by having them sing the happy birthday song two times while washing.
Be prepared
Nobody likes to be sick. Having to go to the grocery store, cook and go about your daily routine only makes things worse. That’s why when you feel a cold coming on it’s a good idea to stock your pantry with easy to make meals. During the initial stages of a cold make sure to avoid dairy and sugar. Both have been shown to exacerbate the symptoms of a cold. Chicken soup is a commonly recommended food for a reason.
Switch to Paper Goods
If your whole family is sick, it’s a good idea to switch to paper towels in the bathroom. It may also pay to switch to paper cups and plates in the kitchen. That way you’re less likely to spread germs.
