5 Home Remedies for the Common Cold That Encourage Faster Recovery

Posted on: 30 April 2019

It's a cough, the sniffles, and an overwhelming sense of feeling worn out. Sounds like you have managed to allow a common cold to latch on and bring you down. Every year, these short-lived illnesses force people to pause their lives until they feel better, but a common cold does not have to be something that keeps you down any longer than necessary. With the right home remedies and some simple instructions, you can bounce back and be back to good in no time at all.  

1. Stay hydrated. 

Water and hydration are critical when you have a cold. It helps to flush toxins out of your body, keep your mouth and nasal passages hydrated, and prevent your itchy throat from making you cough. Keep some bottled water on hand and drink up, even if you don't really feel like drinking much. It will help you recoup much faster. 

2. Get some rest. 

Sometimes, a common cold is just your body's way of showing you that you've been pushed to the limits and your immune system is lacking strength. So, one of the best home remedies to encourage a quick recovery from a cold is to get yourself some much-needed rest. Forget the dirty house, call in at work, and hit the couch for some extra naptime. 

3. Move around and do gentle stretching. 

It is definitely good to get some rest, but piling up on the couch for ten-hour marathons of Netflix can also be a bad idea. Your body may feel a bit achy and tired already, and sitting still for too long will only worsen that feeling. Even though you may not feel like getting much exercise, make it a point to get up and move around or do some gentle stretching. 

4. Be careful with over-the-counter cold meds. 

Over-the-counter cold meds are good to a point. They can help combat symptoms like a runny nose or cough. However, you also have to remember that there are reasons why your nose is running and you have a cough; your body is trying to rid itself of the germs that are making you sick. If you take a lot of medications to combat the symptoms, in some cases, it can hinder your recovery process. Instead, contact your doctor and learn about cold treatment options.

5. Use a humidifier or vaporizer. 

Staying hydrated helps a lot, but just drinking water may not be enough. Actually introducing a little moisture into the air can help nasal and bronchial passages stay moist. This will help squall a dry cough and prevent your throat from feeling sore. 

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