7 Ways to Make Yourself Feel Better When You Have a Cold
I will be the first to admit that I’m an absolute baby when I’m sick. I’m grumpy, irritable, I spend the entire time feeling totally sorry for myself, and I’m constantly looking for ways to feel better.
Even if you handle being poorly well though, catching a cold is never fun, but thankfully, there are plenty of simple things you can do to ease your symptoms and help your body recover.
While there’s no vaccination against the common cold and no instant cure (despite how much I wish there was), rest and small acts of self-care can make a big difference in how you feel.
So, since cold and flu season is upon us once again, here are seven easy ways to look after yourself when a cold hits.
1. Stay Hydrated
Drinking plenty of water is important in general, but it’s extra important when you’re fighting off a cold.
Keeping yourself hydrated helps ease congestion, prevent dehydration, thin mucus. Yes, I know the word “mucus” is gross, but sadly it comes with the territory here.
Water is absolutely the most hydrating, but if you’re not feeling very well, a cold drink probably won’t sound very appealing. Luckily, you can also stay hydrated with warm drinks like herbal tea, and hot lemon with honey can also help to soothe your throat and keep you comfortable.
Oh, and stay away from alcohol! Your nan might swear a hot toddy is the best thing if you’re feeling under the weather, but the following morning you’re still going to have a cold, and you’ll have a hangover to go along with it.
2. Rest and Sleep
Ever wondered why you feel so tired all the time when you’re full of cold? It’s because your body is using tonnes of extra energy to fight off infection. Since this is the case, getting loads of rest is key to a speedy recovery.
Try to get plenty of sleep and take it easy when you can. Even short naps or quiet moments on the sofa will help your body heal more quickly. If you feel up to going to work or school, then do, but if your body’s telling you it needs to stay home and snooze on the sofa, then listen to it! It’s much better to take a couple of days off sick and give yourself the chance to feel better than it is to soldier through and prolong your cold.
3. Try Over-the-Counter and Home Remedies
This one probably sounds obvious, but dosing yourself up with over-the-counter (OTC) medicines can make cold symptoms much easier to get through.
- Decongestants can help clear a blocked nose.
- Painkillers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, can relieve aches, pains, and fever.
- Throat lozenges or sprays may help to ease soreness and irritation.
- Cough syrups can sooth coughs and sore throats
Of course, you should always follow the instructions on the packaging and speak to a pharmacist if you’re unsure what’s suitable for you.
Additionally, some non-medical remedies have been proven to be very effective against cold and flu symptoms. For example, honey is a great for coughs and sore throats, and breathing in steam from a hot shower can help with a blocked nose.
4. Keep Warm and Comfortable
Remember what we said about rest? Well, that will be impossible if you’re not also warm and comfortable, plus, staying toasty supports circulation and helps your body focus on recovery.
So, grab a few pillows and blankets, a jumper or two, and get cosy! Add a hot water bottle or electric blanket to warm you up even further and ensure your home stays at a comfortable temperature.
Got a headache? A cold compress (along with those painkillers we were talking about) will help to ease it; simply run a cloth under a cold tap, wring it out, and place it on your forehead for instant relief.
5. Eat Nourishing Foods
When you’ve got a cold, your appetite tends to go one of two ways; either you can barely stand to think about food without feeling a bit sick, or if you’re like me, you go full Kirby and start hoovering up every carb you can get your hands on.
Regardless of which one of these sounds like you, eating nutritious food is very important whilst you’re ill. Even if your appetite is lower, try to eat light, nutrient-rich meals that are easy to digest.
Chicken soup is the go-to for many, but fruits and vegetables are also a great choice as they’re rich in vitamins and minerals AND will help to keep you hydrated.
6. Look After Your Mental Wellbeing
Okay, so we’re warm and cosy, we’ve got a bunch of different over-the-counter remedies, and there’s a bowl of chicken soup in the kitchen with your name on it. But you still feel rubbish.
Well, that’s probably because you haven’t thought about your mental wellbeing whilst you’ve been focussed on trying to physically feel better.
Feeling under the weather can seriously affect your mood, so it’s important to do gentle things that bring you joy. Watch a comforting film, take a long, luxurious bath, put on a podcast, read, or listen to some of your favourite music.
Whenever I’m under the weather, you’ll find me on the sofa, sipping tea under a mountain of blankets, watching the Twilight movies, but I appreciate those probably aren’t for everyone.
Team Edward all the way.
7. Know When to Seek Advice
The vast majority of colds come and go within a week or two, and after a few days, you should start feeling the symptoms easing up.
If your symptoms do persist though, or if they get worse or you’re unsure what’s safe to take, speak to a pharmacist or healthcare professional. They can advise you on the best way to manage your symptoms safely and investigate further if they think it’s necessary.
No one knows your body like you do, and if something doesn’t feel right, make sure to seek advice from a medical professional as soon as possible.
Final Thoughts
Regrettably, there’s no quick fix for a cold, but as long as you stay hydrated, eat well, rest, take care of your mental health, and consider a few OTC remedies, you’ll feel much better while your body recovers.
Listen to your body, give it what it needs, and don’t be afraid to slow down until you’re back to feeling yourself again.
Anyway, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got a Twilight marathon to get back to.
