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Afraid of Germs? Use These Tips to Survive the Cold & Flu Season

Key Points

  • Despite preventive measures, most people will get sick at some point, but there are several strategies to alleviate the symptoms and recover faster.
  • Regular exercise and a diet rich in nutrients can boost your immune system, but overloading on vitamin C can be harmful.
  • Engaging in moderate exercise when sick can help speed up recovery, along with a diet that includes immune-boosting proteins and anti-viral properties found in spicy foods.
  • Stocking up on effective cold remedies, including cough medicine, decongestants, and painkillers, can help manage symptoms.
  • Staying warm can aid recovery, as can airing out your home to remove bacteria, and taking hot showers or applying a hot towel to your face.

While some people seem to be able to go through life without ever getting sick, the majority of us aren't that lucky. Even with yearly flu shots, warm clothing, and over-the-top preventive measures like flu masks, chances are you will still get sick. Lucky for you, catching a cold doesn't have to mean the end of the world, because there are a lot of things you can take and do to make yourself less miserable. Here are five great tips for surviving the cold and flu season.

Afraid of Germs? Use These Tips to Survive the Cold & Flu Season

Key Points

  • Despite preventive measures, most people will get sick at some point, but there are several strategies to alleviate the symptoms and recover faster.
  • Regular exercise and a diet rich in nutrients can boost your immune system, but overloading on vitamin C can be harmful.
  • Engaging in moderate exercise when sick can help speed up recovery, along with a diet that includes immune-boosting proteins and anti-viral properties found in spicy foods.
  • Stocking up on effective cold remedies, including cough medicine, decongestants, and painkillers, can help manage symptoms.
  • Staying warm can aid recovery, as can airing out your home to remove bacteria, and taking hot showers or applying a hot towel to your face.

While some people seem to be able to go through life without ever getting sick, the majority of us aren't that lucky. Even with yearly flu shots, warm clothing, and over-the-top preventive measures like flu masks, chances are you will still get sick. Lucky for you, catching a cold doesn't have to mean the end of the world, because there are a lot of things you can take and do to make yourself less miserable. Here are five great tips for surviving the cold and flu season.

Take Preventive Measures

While all the preventive measures in the world can't keep you from getting sick, they do help. You don't have to go around spraying everything and everyone with sanitizer, but you can make sure that you're getting plenty of nutrients, staying away from drafts, staying warm, and taking care of yourself. Regular exercise helps to boost your immune system as well, so don't be afraid to work out, go for walks, or even go for a swim in an indoor pool. Another thing to keep in mind is that while vitamin C supplements can help to boost your immune system, studies show that too much can be harmful.

Get Plenty of Exercise

If it's too late for preventive measures and you're already sick, then consider adding exercise to help combat your illness. While you might not feel like getting out of bed, a quick walk, a slow bike ride, yoga, or even a swim can boost your immune system and get your blood pumping. Both of these factors will make you feel better now, and help you get better sooner. Consider easy to moderate exercise rather than high-energy options like running or kickboxing. Why, because you probably don’t have the energy for the latter.

Eat (and drink) Right

Did you know that what you eat and drink can help you get better faster? Consider stocking up on herbal teas like Chamomile, ginger, and mint; all of which you can purchase easily at many grocery stores. You can also skip carbs in favor of lean immune-system-boosting proteins, and spicy foods. People who cut proteins out of their diet tend to stay sick longer, so make sure you include it in yours. The amino acids in spicy foods like peppers, ginger, and horseradish have also been shown to have incredible anti-viral properties that can help you get better faster.

Stock Up On Medicine

All of the tea and honey in the world won’t help you feel better if you're hacking your lungs out. You need cold remedies including an effective medicine for coughs, something to stop a runny nose, and usually a painkiller to combat aches and pains. If you're prone to getting diarrhea, you can also stock up on antidiarrheal pills. There are plenty of cold and flu medicines out there and many of them can be purchased from a local drugstore, or online. If you don't feel like spending big on your cold and flu medicine cabinet, consider a decongestive syrup and decongestive pills to take with you should you have to go to work as your bare essentials.

Stay Warm

While most bacteria need warmth to survive, so do your antibodies. Try staying warm whenever possible and avoid sudden temperature changes. Avoiding drafts, keeping your heat on, wearing warm clothing, and making sure that you're well bundled up for bed can all help you to recover faster. However, that doesn't mean to keep the windows closed at all times. Airing the house out can get bacteria out of the air so that you recover faster. Last but not least, don't forget that soaking in a hot tub, or in the shower, and applying a hot towel to your face can do wonders for how you feel.

There are no miracle cures for the common cold, but you don't have to suffer through them. In fact, there is a lot of research that suggests exercising, staying warm, drinking plenty of healthy warm beverages and eating a lot of lean protein can help you get better in record time. When you add in getting plenty of sleep, avoiding caffeine and alcohol and making sure you have medicine to help with the symptoms, you'll be over your cold and feeling great in no time!

Sick and need to see a doctor? Find an urgent care near you!

About the author

Cindy Parsons is a registered nurse living in Hobart, Australia with her 3 daughters and pet parakeet. She likes sharing health tips and regularly joins medical missions in developing countries.

Frequently asked questions

  • What are some preventive measures to avoid getting sick during cold and flu season?

    Some preventive measures include getting plenty of nutrients, staying away from drafts, staying warm, taking care of yourself, and regular exercise. Also, while vitamin C supplements can help to boost your immune system, studies show that too much can be harmful.
  • How can exercise help if I'm already sick?

    Exercise can boost your immune system and get your blood pumping, which can help you feel better and recover faster. It's recommended to do easy to moderate exercise, such as a quick walk, slow bike ride, yoga, or swimming.
  • What foods and drinks can help me recover faster from a cold or flu?

    Herbal teas like Chamomile, ginger, and mint can be beneficial. Also, lean immune-system-boosting proteins and spicy foods can help you recover faster. The amino acids in spicy foods like peppers, ginger, and horseradish have anti-viral properties.
  • What types of medicine should I have on hand during cold and flu season?

    It's recommended to have cold remedies including an effective medicine for coughs, something to stop a runny nose, and usually a painkiller to combat aches and pains. If you're prone to getting diarrhea, you can also stock up on antidiarrheal pills.
  • How does staying warm help me recover from a cold or flu?

    Most bacteria need warmth to survive, as do your antibodies. Staying warm whenever possible and avoiding sudden temperature changes can help you to recover faster.
  • Is it beneficial to air out my house when I'm sick?

    Yes, airing the house out can get bacteria out of the air so that you recover faster.
  • What should I avoid when I'm sick with a cold or flu?

    It's recommended to avoid caffeine and alcohol when you're sick, as these can dehydrate you and possibly prolong your illness.
  • What should I do if I'm sick and need to see a doctor?

    If you're sick and need to see a doctor, you can find an urgent care near you.

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