Baths, naps, and yummy soup – maybe a cold isn’t such a bad thing after all!
Cold season has arrived! In Vancouver, everyone from the bus stop to yoga class is sniffling and sneezing, making it impossible to escape the dreaded germs. A head ache, sore throat, and lethargy are not tragic enough for an official sick day, but they sure are a drag. So what can you do when you feel those symptoms coming on? We’ve done our research and come up with four easy remedies to get your cold under control.
1) Take a nap.
The temptation is to construct a nest of blankets on the couch and curl up for a Netflix marathon, and while you undoubtedly deserve this type of indulgence, it won’t do much to ease your symptoms. What you need is real sleep. If you don’t have the luxury of slowing your schedule down but you’ve got the aches and coughs that signal a cold, try to carve out time mid-morning or mid-afternoon for a nap. Even setting your timer for a 15-20 minute snooze will give your immune system a boost and kickstart your energy. Give yourself an extra pillow to ease the sinus pressure that comes with a cold so that you can breathe freely while you sleep.
2) Drink this tonic.
Into a small pot, add 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger, 1 tablespoon grated fresh turmeric, 1/4 teaspoon cracked black pepper, 1 teaspoon honey, the juice of one lemon, and 2-3 cups of water. Simmer at medium-high heat for five minutes, strain, and serve warm. Antibacterial, immune-boosting, and soothing all in one cup, this tonic – and tons of water! – should be your go-to beverage until you’re feeling 100% again. (Recipe adapted from Minimalist Baker.)
3) Take a bath (or hot shower).
The steam will help to relieve congestion and moisten a dry throat, and the heat will help to soothe sore, achy muscles. Treat yourself to luxury bath products because you deserve some extra pampering right now, and if you find ones with medicinal ingredients like ginger, pepper, or mint, you’ll also be treating your stuffed-up sinuses and pounding head. Try Lord of Misrule Bath Bomb (vanilla for sweetness, patchouli for relaxation, and black pepper for sinus and nasal congestion relief) or Outback Mate Soap (eucalyptus for cough and congestion, lemongrass for achy joints, and peppermint for headache relief), from LUSH Cosmetics.
4) Eat chicken broth or chicken soup.
Newsflash: your grandma’s home remedy is scientifically proven to have medicinal value in treating the common cold. One prominent study showed that chicken soup inhibits the movement of neutrophils, the most common type of white blood cell that defends against infection, thereby essentially reducing upper respiratory cold symptoms. Another study showed that chicken soup improves the function of protective cilia, the little hairlike projections in the nose that prevent contagions from entering the body. The chicken broth itself is packed with electrolytes and minerals that break down mucus and support your immune system. Might we suggest our Apple & Thyme Chicken Broth in place of your go-to over-the-counter cold remedy next time you feel the sniffles coming on? It just might be the cure you crave. (Hey, it’s science.)
What at-home remedy has been most effective for you? Comment below and let us know how you nip that bug in the bud!
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