Have you ever caught a cold when you were super busy? Welcome to the club! The scenario is always the same: your throat gets scratchy, nasal cavities tingle, and all you can do is to lay in your bed. Most people just don’t have enough time to stay at home when they are sick. In fact, every week, three million employees in the United States work while they’re sick, according to a study conducted by Cornell University.
If you can’t afford to stay at home with a cold, consider taking measures to get rid of it as soon as possible. Check the list of the home remedies that will help you to recover overnight:
Take supplements
According to Homethods, people who take at least 200 milligrams of vitamin C daily tend to recover faster than those who don’t. That’s why you should consider taking vitamin C right after you realize you have a cold.
Avoid taking it in case you have the iron storage disease haemochromatosis since Vitamin C can iron absorption.
Also, consider taking some probiotic supplements. They contain live bacteria that can support your gut health, protect the immune system, and help you fight off a cold. You can purchase probiotics in the local drug stores or eat foods that contain them. You will be able to find probiotics in miso, yoghurt, sauerkraut, tempeh, kefir, kimchi, pickles, and traditional buttermilk.
Drink water
According to the studies, drinking plenty of water can help you get well faster. Dr David B. Banach explains that people usually lose fluids when they are sick. That’s why drinking water and hot tea can contribute to recovery.
Make sure to drink a lot of hot liquids ( e.g., tea with lemon, warm water with honey) since they can help you to prevent nasal congestion and soothe the inflamed membranes that line your throat and nose. Also, drinking hot liquids can help you avoid dehydration.
There are certain fluids you should avoid while being sick. For example, you should not drink coffee, alcohol, and other soft drinks that contain caffeine. They can lead to dehydration, which will not benefit you at all since you need to achieve the opposite effect.
Sleep well
To help your body fight off infection and restore faster, get enough sleep. Laying in your bed while watching Netflix is not as beneficial as getting actual sleep.
Blow your nose
Don’t sniffle mucus back into your head when you have a cold. Make sure to blow your nose regularly since it can also help you recover overnight. However, don’t blow too hard since it can cause earache. It happens when extra pressure carries phlegm back into the ear passages.
Change a meal plan
Hippocrates used to say: ‘Let food be thy medicine.’ Indeed, certain foods can support your body while you are fighting the illness. Check out the list of the best foods that can help to recover:
Chicken soup – it is a source of vitamins, minerals, and protein.
Garlic – it is a medical herb that can enhance your immune function.
Coconut Water – it can help you to rehydrate and improve blood sugar control.
Ginger – it has antimicrobial and antioxidant effects.
Bananas – they can provide with nutrients and calories. Also, they contain fibre.
Oatmeal – it can provide vitamins, minerals, and calories, and improve blood sugar control.
Natural yoghurt – it contains beneficial probiotics.
Spicy foods – they stimulate mucus production and help to get rid of cough.
Broths– it is a source of hydration. Also, they contain vitamins, minerals, and calories.
If you have trouble getting a good night’s sleep, eat some honey. It is considered one of the most natural relied-on remedies that can help to beat the cold. According to a study, eating one spoon of honey before going to bed can reduce nighttime coughing and soothe a sore throat.
Other tips
If you are a smoker, cut down on smoking until you feel better. Also, make sure to stay away from other smokers since inhaling the smoke can irritate your throat.
In case you can’t fall asleep, stay in your bed anyway. Rest can help you boost your immune system, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Keep in mind that doctors recommend limiting the screen time while being sick.
The bottom line
If you want to recover from a cold faster, consider taking supplements such as Vitamin C, Zinc, garlic, and probiotics. Make sure to drink plenty of hot liquids and get enough sleep. Doctors recommend eating foods that can support your body when you have a cold (chicken soup, honey, coconut water, and natural yoghurt). Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol since it can lead to dehydration.
If home remedies don’t help you beat the cold and your symptoms last longer than a week, make an appointment with your doctor.
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