It’s that time of the year again, waking up all of a sudden in the middle of the night to blow your nose and speaking three octaves lower than your regular voice. It happens to the best of us and it seems there’s no avoiding it. It may be because you touched a door handle with some unpleasant germs or maybe it’s from one of your classmates or coworkers. But don’t fret! Here are some soothing cures and tips for effectively getting rid of that stubborn cold and/or cough, and staying healthy in the future. Disclaimer: you may have heard a few of these already but a reminder goes a long way.
Rest your body AND mind
It’s not too difficult to put your body at ease in order to recover, whether that’s taking a nice long, warm shower or drinking your favorite tea. What’s more difficult is putting your mind at ease. This means releasing whatever stress you may have in your mind. There’s been research done to prove that stress can contribute to getting sick. During times of tension and anxiety, our body responds by releasing stress hormones which can in turn suppress other physical processes like the immune system (www.health24.com). If you want to kick that system back into gear, focus on letting yourself unwind.
Consume proper foods
You can also recoup better by consuming nutrient-rich vegetables and fruits that increase immunity so your body can fight off the bad guys. Oranges, turmeric and garlic are a few things to incorporate into your meals. There are also some pretty exciting drink options to choose from like honey and cinnamon tea, or mixing your favorite berries to make a healthy and delicious smoothie. You should always be consuming vitamins and minerals, but now is the best time to do so. Another tip is to have warm breakfasts to start the day; not only does it make you feel great but it also allows your body to release energy slowly throughout your day.
Layer up!
You already have a cold, so why freeze in the cold too? Make sure to get a quality winter jacket because Canada, if you don’t already know, is one of the coldest countries out there. Ottawa was recently reported to be the coldest capital city in the world. It’s imperative that you have warm clothing and that you know how to wear it. Protect your neck, and be proactive in choosing your layers; pick something you can remove when you’re inside so you don’t overheat. Paying attention to your body temperature is crucial, so always try to maintain it as best you can.
Choose the right medication
According to the Daily Mail, paracetamol (also known as acetaminophen) is your best choice in treating coughs, colds, and sore throats. Tylenol contains acetaminophen while Advil contains ibuprofen; ibuprofen is less ideal for these cases because its main purpose is to reduce bodily inflammation, whereas acetaminophen inhibits your body from reading pain signals.
Aftercare is essential
Consistently taking care of your body will decrease your chances catching cold or flu. You should always make sure that you’re getting plenty of vitamins and minerals and enough sleep, that you keep your stress in check, and that you dress warmly. This is a friendly reminder that your body is the only body you’ll ever get, and it does runs down if not looked after properly. So stay warm out there folks!