There are a lot of great things about winter: cool weather, newly fallen snow, holidays with family and friends, baking and cooking, and all of your favorite festivities. One thing you don’t want this holiday season is a cold! Here are a few natural ways to help prevent and treat unwanted colds this season:
1. Get lots of rest
Sleep is one of the best remedies and preventions for any illness. It allows the body to recharge, heal and keep going strong all day long. Try to get at least 6 to 8 hours of rest a night. The fewer hours of sleep you get, the weaker your body will be in fighting off a virus.
2. Drink a lot of fluids
Drinking lots of water helps you flush your immune system and stay hydrated. A well-hydrated body not only works better, but helps you feel better, too.
3. Dress appropriately for the weather
As your mother always said, put your hat on before you go outside. If you dress with enough layers, a warm jacket, a hat and gloves, you are less likely to become cold and weaken your immune system, thereby decreasing your vulnerability to “catching a cold.”
4. Vaporize
Using vaporization with a hot shower or steam facial is an easy solution to nasal and sinus congestion and dryness. Viruses thrive in dry environments, so keep your air moist with a humidifier.
5. Irrigate your nasal passages
Flushing out your nasal passages is a great way to keep them moist during the winter season and to clear out mucus or other irritating and infectious agents that make their way into the nose. It can also be an effective way to relieve sinus symptoms from colds and allergies. Make sure whatever you use to irrigate is clean, and use a mixture of distilled warm water and salt.
6. Gargle with salt water
If your throat is irritated, dissolve a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water and gargle the mixture for a few seconds. Repeat a few times and do it as often as needed. The salt water helps heal a dry and scratchy throat.
7. Add vitamin C, zinc, honey and garlic to your diet
Try to maintain a well-balanced diet through the winter season, eating lots of vegetables, fruits and whole grains. Adding in extra vitamin C and zinc can help you fight off unwanted colds by boosting your immune system. Honey, which has antibacterial qualities, is a great addition to your diet to help sooth a cough. Garlic helps prevent and treat bacterial and fungal infections, as well as helping with high blood pressure.
8. Wash your hands
And remember, you should always wash your hands whenever you have the chance! It is one of the easiest ways to prevent yourself from contracting a cold or virus. Use soap and warm water and wash them for at least 20 to 30 seconds. If you find yourself waking up sick one morning, it is probably best to stay home and, if you can, go see a doctor. The more interaction you have with other people, the more likely you are to pass your cold or virus along to them. Stay healthy this winter the natural way—with rest, water and hand-washing!
If your cold is not going away and you would like to see a doctor, make an appointment with a Mount Sinai Doctors physician. With extended hours and same-day appointments often available, it is a convenient location to check in about your sniffles.