It’s that yucky time of year again! Everyone and their children are getting sick, making the holiday season less fun than we want it to be. Have you tried everything to feel better, and your cold isn’t easing up? First, it’s important to remember that most common colds can last up to two weeks, so sometimes it just needs to run its course. If you want to speed things up, here are some tips on how to do just that!
Get plenty of rest!
The number one thing you should do is rest! It can be hard to do that, especially when you have obligations like your job and children. What’s that saying? Ah yes, “you can’t pour from an empty cup.” You must take care of yourself and let your body rest to help your immune system fight the cold virus.
Stay hydrated and increase moisture
Drink plenty of water and hot fluids like tea or water with lemon and honey. Hot beverages help soothe your throat and prevent dehydration. You can increase moisture by sleeping with a humidifier and taking hot, steamy showers.
Try a hot or cold compress
Apply a hot or cold pack to your sinuses. Cold compresses can reduce inflammation, and hot compresses can relieve sinus pain and congestion. You can find hot and cold packs at any drugstore, but you can make your own if you can’t get out to the store. Microwave a damp cloth for a hot compress and wrap a bag of frozen veggies in a towel for a cold compress.
Take medication in moderation
While sometimes you want to fight it off yourself without help, a decongestant or vapor rub can make the recovery time more tolerable and possibly shorter. Like anything else, take OTC medication in moderation and per the instructions on the label. Be aware of any side effects, especially when taking more than one medication.
Get in extra nutrients and minerals
Zinc and Vitamin C both support the immune system significantly. Eating whole and healthy foods can also get in your minerals and nutrients. Eat fresh fruit like oranges, kiwis (and elderberries!), and vegetables like carrots, spinach, lemons, and garlic. Chicken noodle soup, especially homemade, has fresh vegetables and protein, plus a hot meal to soothe your throat.
Avoid inflammatory foods
Dairy-based products, candy, soda, and alcohol can cause more inflammation and slow down the immune system, thus taking longer to fight the virus. Dairy-based products can cause more mucous, which is the last thing you need when fighting a cold.
Take your elderberry products!
Elderberries naturally boost immunity by flooding the body with antioxidants and stimulating your body’s natural immune defense. Elderberries are loaded with antioxidants like vitamins A and C and various flavonoids – botanical compounds that protect the cells from oxidative damage.
All the ingredients in our elderberry elixirs and jams are 100% organic and will be a yummy addition to your common cold recovery. We recommend taking our Elderberry Elixir once daily for prevention and four times daily when you start feeling sick. Cold and flu season stinks! We hope these tips help you and your loved ones recover from their colds and enjoy the holiday season. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Elderberry Fairy, we are happy to help! You can find all our delicious elderberry products on our website.
