It’s common cold season. Whether you’re working from home or in the office, chances are you’re hearing plenty of coughs and sniffles throughout the day’s meetings. Likewise, if you’re at home with kids: You’re no stranger to how cold winter months followed by brisk spring rain bring on the common cold like clockwork. But you’re in luck! We’ve rounded up our top three favorite natural ways to combat the common cold.
Create a Morning Wellness Ritual
We’re not asking you to wake up at five AM and run ten miles. Instead, we’re asking you to take twenty minutes in the morning to commit to a few health practices that will improve your health before you’re sick- and while you’re sick, too.
- Get hydrated. Whether you’re sick or not, hydration is never a bad idea- , but when you are sick, it’s a necessary part of recovery. Make sure that you’re drinking plenty of fluids. This can be water, tea, juice, or broth. Try to avoid excessive caffeine intake, as caffeine causes dehydration– which will hamper your body’s ability to fight back.
- Keep the air moist. Dry air is terrible for congestion, nasal canals, and restful sleep alike. Make sure that the air in your home isn’t too dry and, if needed, invest in an air humidifier to help add moisture to the air during the cold winter months.
- Defend your sleep. Sleep is an important defense mechanism for our bodies. Doctors aren’t kidding when they say your body needs rest to heal.
Stock Your Medicine Cabinet
Don’t assume that you’ll make it through the common cold season without getting sick. You do not want to be one of the people who walks into the pharmacy sneezing and coughing, desperately trying to get home to your bed. S–so stock up!
- Honey lemon throat lozenges are a great way to soothe a sore throat and defend against the common cold. Store a few at work, too. Lozenges are a great way to get relief from a sore throat, and honey has been used for thousands of years to do that exact thing: soothe sore throats. Ideally, look for medicated lozenges, not just sugary candy ones.
- Natural cold medicines. Finding a good OTC medicine for general cold symptoms can help you get through recovery, or ‘make it’ until a doctor appointment if your cold persists. Take these medicines as directed and always make sure that they use FDA approved natural ingredients.
- Make sure you have kid-friendly options. Whether you have kids or sensitive adults, make sure you have kid-friendly options in your home. These medicines are typically a bit more gentle on the system and, more importantly approved as safe for children should you need to use them on your own.
Get Back to Basics
You’d be surprised how many colds occur from the general hygiene practices we put on the back burner. Make sure that you’re regularly washing your hands, especially after being in public places. Likewise, make sure that you’re brushing your teeth regularly and staying on top of your oral health. Though few people realize it, most disease starts in the mouth when we breathe in air that contains a virus droplet. Though most of the air we breathe is harmless, there are thousands of viruses that could cause the common cold.
Last but not least, consider your day-to-day nutrition and whether or not it’s providing the daily vitamins and minerals that you need to stay healthy. Are you consuming enough vitamin C to boost your immune system? Health is in the little decisions, and opting for healthy alternatives whenever possible will always help improve your body’s ability to defend against cold and flu.
Conclusion
The common cold is just that… common. As much as we all wish it would never happen, we’re going to get sick. The best defense against the common cold is to improve your general wellness and be prepared to get sick, so that when you do get sick your body can make a quick recovery.
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