Tips to Recover From a Cold Rapidly
By Randi Morse
Nobody has time to get sick, but when cold and flu season hits, the germs make it obvious that they do not get that message. It's amazing how quickly a cold can hit. You go to bed feeling fine and wake up unable to breathe and dealing with a headache, cough and sore throat. Of course, if you have a cold it is always the best idea to stay home. Not only do you not want to infect your coworkers with your virus or germs, you will also recover from your cold much faster if you are at home. But there are also other things that you can do to help speed the time of your recovery.
Make Sure You Hydrate
Getting your daily recommended intake of water is important; when you are recovering from a cold it is even more vital to ensure that you hydrate your body as much as possible. The biggest reason is because hydrating helps thin any mucus in your body. We are all familiar with runny noses, but often it is the mucus that settles in our lungs that can cause the most pain and issues when dealing with a cold. Drinking as much as possible helps loosen that mucus, which allows you to recover more quickly. And you don't need to stick with water, hot cups of tea also work amazingly to thin the mucus and soothe an aching throat.
Feed a Cold
My grandmother used to always say, "feed a cold, starve a fever," and when I was young, I never understood what it meant. I only knew that whenever I had a cold, I wasn't very hungry. As always, Gram was right. Feeding a cold does help you recover faster. Food gives your body the nutrition it needs to fight off the germs, helping you to recover faster. Keep in mind that your body may not handle heavy foods well, so it's a good idea to keep your meals light with dishes like soup.
Get Extra Sleep
Even when you feel like you're starting to recover from your cold, get extra sleep. Jumping back into your regular routine without giving your body a full chance to recover just lengthens the amount of time you have the cold. Getting extra sleep gives the body time to recover and time to fight off any remaining germs that may be in your body.
Getting a cold is never fun, but if you take care of yourself regularly you will find that you get sick less often. If, however, you do happen to catch that office bug, these three things will be your best bet to recovering and getting back to your daily routine quickly.
To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Seminole, Fla.