If you’re anything like me, you may have woken up with a stuffy nose and itchy throat over the past month. The change in temperature from the low 70s to mid-40s in Michigan was expected, but still brutal. I almost always get a cold when the season starts to change, so I have learned some ways to get over it quickly. The following list includes some tips to hopefully make your cold less miserable.
Throat Lozenges
A sore throat is one of my worst symptoms when dealing with a cold. It can make eating and drinking difficult and is just downright uncomfortable throughout the day. Throat lozenges help tremendously with the discomfort and can help if you have a cough. There are medicated and non-medicated lozenges as well as various flavors to choose from. Relief for your throat, even if temporary, will make the day much more bearable.
Stay Inside
It can absolutely suck to isolate yourself inside all day and refrain from going out. However, this is crucial to a speedy recovery. Leaving the house not only puts others at risk of contracting what you have, but it also puts you at risk of getting sicker. The best way to prevent these things from happening is to simply stay home. Delivery services like DoorDash and Instacart are available for necessities like food and cough medicine. Email your professors to stay updated on any class assignments and schedule make-up dates if needed. Though this tip isn’t the most fun, it will definitely be effective and worth it in the long run.
Liquids!
This one is said all the time, but it’s so important! Staying hydrated while sick helps flush toxins from the body and leads to a quicker recovery. While it can be annoying to have to use the bathroom every hour, just think of it as the sickness leaving your body each time. Whether it’s water or your favorite juice, drinking an abundance of fluids throughout the day is one of the best ways to shake that sickness.
Sleep it off
When you have a cold, you probably feel drained and tired. The best solution… let your body rest! Sleeping helps the body boost the immune system and recover quicker. It can be hard to allow yourself to rest all day if you’re like me and always feel the need to be productive. However, the most important thing to prioritize is your health, and resting your body is a key factor in recovering.
While having a cold is never fun, it won’t last forever, and things can be done to shorten it. I hope these tips help the next time you find yourself with a cold.