Winter season is a blissful time of the year, but it can also bring severe bouts of cold and flu. One of the most common ailments that afflict people during winters is a cold, also known as a frosty.
While cold symptoms may vary from mild to severe, it’s always wise to take care of yourself and ensure recovery as soon as possible. In this article, we will explain how to beat a frosty with four easy steps.
Step 1: Boost Your Immune System
The immune system plays a crucial role in defending the body against infections and viruses, including the common cold. A healthy immune system can prevent you from getting sick. Some of the methods to boost your immune system include:.
- Eating a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
- Taking supplements such as Vitamin C, Echinacea, and Zinc
- Getting enough sleep, ideally for seven to eight hours every night
- Staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water and other fluids
- Engaging in regular exercise and staying physically active
By following these measures, you will be able to strengthen your immune system, reduce the risk of getting a cold or other illnesses, and also promote quick healing.
Step 2: Get Plenty of Rest
Getting enough sleep and rest is crucial for the body to recover from an infection like a cold. When you’re sick, your body is fighting an illness and requires extra energy to help mend and heal.
Resting allows your body to conserve that energy and speed up the healing process.
If you are not able to take a day off from work, try to find ways to rest even while on the job. Take frequent breaks, avoid any strenuous activities, and try to relax as much as possible.
Step 3: Stay Hydrated
Drinking plenty of fluids is always essential, but even more so when you’re battling a cold. Drinking fluids helps maintain proper hydration, which helps your body get rid of mucus, and keep you comfortable.
Some of the fluids that can help include:.
- Water
- Hot teas such as ginger or lemon and honey
- Broths and soups that are packed with vitamins
- Sports drinks that can hydrate and replenish electrolytes lost from dehydration
Step 4: Relief Your Symptoms
The last step is to provide symptom relief as your body recovers. Common symptoms of a frosty include runny nose, sore throat, cough, and congestion. The following remedies can help to relieve these symptoms:.
- Over-the-counter pain medication like ibuprofen or acetaminophen for pain relief and to reduce fever
- Decongestant nasal sprays for nasal congestion relief
- Saline nasal drops or sprays to keep the nasal passages moist
- Throat lozenges or hard candy to calm the sore throat
It’s important to note that although these remedies provide relief, they don’t cure colds. The only way your body can recover is through rest, hydration and a healthy diet.
Conclusion
The common cold or frosty is a common illness that affects people from all walks of life. While there is no magic cure, following the four easy steps outlined in this article can help speed up your recovery, reduce symptoms and prevent future illnesses.
Don’t forget to always practice good hand hygiene, wash them frequently, and avoid contaminated surfaces. By taking care of yourself, you’ll support overall health and wellness, so you can enjoy the wonders of the winter season.