There’s a bug going around, has it bitten you yet? It has certainly bitten me!
Mother Nature can’t seem to make up her mind. Hot. Cold. Warm. SNOW! This constant change in weather can trigger a cold and for those of you who suffer from asthma and or bronchitis know that as soon as we get a cold, the breathing issues are sure to follow not too far behind.
But life doesn’t stop and neither do we! Our responsibilities are calling to us so who has time to be sick!? The show must go on!
Here are some tips to keep you going:
- Trade in your morning coffee for tea instead; Mornings are the worst when a cold is involved and I am lethal whenever I don’t have my morning coffee, but the past couple days I’ve been drinking a large hot tea with lemon and it’s been helping me to get over the morning hump. If you’re drinking coffee do so in moderation (no more than 2 cups a day) as caffeine can cause dehydration. Black and green teas usually contain caffeine and most herbal teas don’t.
- Drink ginger and lemon tea; Ginger is a healthy anti-inflammatory and immune booster and lemon is full of vitamin C.
- Keep yourself hydrated with water! One of the symptoms of dehydration is fatigue; drink water to keep your energy up. Also, water helps with thinning out mucus and decongestion. Water cleanses and improves organ function
- Soup it up! My favorite is Chicken Tortilla soup from Fairway. The broth has the perfect kick of spice to clear my sinuses. And the truth is, any soup will do; soup is warm, comforting and helps with the decongestion. Hot liquids (tea or soups) relieve nasal congestion and relieve inflammation of nose and throat. Soups also contain salt and other electrolytes that help prevent dehydration.
- For the brave soul… Eat a clove of raw garlic. Garlic has some antibiotic affects. Warning: do not try to do it on an empty stomach.
- Try and get a good night’s rest. The body needs sleep to heal and recover.
- Use saline nasal spray for a stuffy nose. Use nasal irrigators or a bulb with warm water and salt (1/2-1tsp/cup water).
- For sore throat, gargle with warm water with either salt or apple cider.
- Eat fruits and drink juices with vitamin C (citrus, pineapple).
What are some of the things you do to beat a cold? Share your tips with the Hostos community in the comment section below.
Be Healthy. Keep Smiling. Enjoy Life.
