How to Get Rid of a Cold in 24 Hours
Colds are a dime a dozen, especially amongst people who don’t focus on building their immune systems. Although they are common, it doesn’t make them any less pesky to deal with, which is why more and more people are trying to figure out how to get rid of illnesses as quickly as possible. There are plenty of tips and tricks that you can use to your advantage when it comes to getting over an illness, especially a cold, but did you know that there are ways to help get rid of a cold in 24 hours?
With the help of the below tips and tricks, you’ll be well on your way to mending yourself back to health before you know it.
Tip 1: Take a Hot Shower
The first thing that you should do once you think you’re starting to get sick is take the time to have a hot shower. There’s nothing more relieving than being able to feel your sinuses open up as a result of the hot steam and it’s a phenomenal excuse to help yourself get out of bed. With all of that being said, those aren’t the only reasons as to why a shower is important when you’re dealing with a cold.
Hot water is a phenomenal detoxifying agent that helps to pull impurities out of your system, such as those your body is filled with during cold and flu season. It’s also a great way to help ease the soreness in your limbs which can tend to feel achy when your fighting off a cold.
Tip 2: Eating Vitamin C and Antioxidants
If there are two things that your body needs when it’s fighting a flu it’s certainly vitamin C and antioxidants. In fact, having a diet that regularly includes these essential vitamins and minerals helps to prevent contracting illnesses in the first place. However, it’s never too late to start eating healthier and you’d be surprised at how quickly your body will fight off damaging agents with the right defenses.
It’s time to load up on citrus fruits, peppers, dark leafy greens, and berries, as they’re all phenomenal sources of both vitamin C and antioxidants. Ensure that you get yourself into a routine of eating better because not only will it help you to feel healthier than ever before, but it will also stop colds right in their tracks the next time around.
Tip 3: Steam Rooms
If you’re fortunate enough to living in an apartment or condo with a gym and sauna, it’s time that you took advantage of it, as it’s going to change the way you feel within a few minutes. Similar to how your shower helps to detoxify your body, as would a steam room or a sauna. If you’re unable to visit one, you can always make your own personal facial steamer at home with boiling water and a couple drops of peppermint essential oil.
By taking a few minutes out of your day and sitting in a sauna, impurities will literally be pulled out of your system, allowing your body to sweat it all out. If you really want to take your steaming to the next level, you can put a warm face cloth over your face with drops of essential oil to help clear all of your sinuses.
Tip 4: Light Exercise
You must be beginning to notice that by now, there’s a trending theme about getting rid of a cold and it’s certainly with the help of sweat. Going to the gym doesn’t mean that you have to spend an hour working your body to its maximum, because in all honesty that’s only going to do you more harm than good. Instead, you should take the time to do a little bit of light exercise to where you start to sweat, but not profusely.
Another important factor of visiting the gym while you’re cold is that it helps to boost your immune system by improving the flow of blood throughout your body. The healthier your blood flow is, the more relaxed your joints and muscles will be and the healthier your entire body will be. This is why people who workout are far less likely to become ill than people who don’t.
Tip 5: Enjoy Hot Liquids All Day
There’s nothing more important than making sure you stay hydrated throughout your entire sickness, particularly if you’re stuffed with a cold. No matter if you have a cup of chicken broth for lunch or if you have a few cups of tea throughout the day, warm liquids are essential to feeling better. It’s always best if you opt for nutritious drinks such as a cup of warm water with lemon or green tea instead of a hot chocolate or a glass of warm milk.
Hot liquids have the tendency to become phenomenal expectorants, helping you to cough up phlegm and find some relief within your respiratory system. Plus, there’s nothing more comforting than being able to hold onto a warm cup of something delicious while you’re suffering from a cold.
Tip 6: Try Spicy Foods
Even if you’re not the biggest fan of spicy foods, they can be a great way to help get rid of a cold, especially if you lean more towards Chinese or Thai dishes. Heat, including that from spicy foods, helps to thin mucus in your system but plenty of ingredients in spicy foods have a lot of antiviral properties that can help your body fight off an infection. It’s always best if you add a little bit of spice to your breakfast or dinner as this will help you to get your day started right or it will help you to fall asleep at night.
You never know, after eating spicy foods for a day you might even find that you’re becoming a fan of more exotic dishes!
When to Visit a Doctor
Above all else, it’s important to keep track of your illness, as you don’t want to mistake a more serious illness for something that appears to be a cold. If you’ve tried all of the above steps and still haven’t felt relief, it could be time to visit your family doctor and get a professional opinion on the matter.
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