With summer coming to a close, it’s time to start thinking about how the changing weather could affect your health.
It often seems that as soon as school starts again and the weather gets a bit colder, cold and flu season comes on in full swing. And while it might seem like there’s nothing you can do to avoid getting sick each year, there are things that can be done to keep your colds from getting too bad and get you back on your feet in no time. So if you really can’t afford to be sick, whether it’s because you’re a working parent or in an assisted living facility where you really need to maintain your health, here are three things that you should do as soon as you feel a cold coming on so that you can quickly nip it in the bud and get your health back on track.
Prioritize Rest
One of the first and best things that you should do as soon as you start to feel the tickle in your throat or some congestion is to prioritize rest as much as possible.
It’s when you’re resting that your body is able to work to heal itself. And especially when you’re trying to fight off one cold virus or another, you need to give your body as much of a chance to rest and recuperate as possible. So while you might be tempted to stay up late getting things done before your cold knocks on you down, it’s actually going to be much better for you to slow down, take it easy, get to bed early, and give your body some much needed rest.
Increase Certain Vitamins And Minerals
When a cold is coming on, there are certain vitamins and minerals that it can be helpful to increase to give your body the best chance of fighting off your sickness.
In some studies, it’s been shown that taking more vitamin D, vitamin C, and zinc when you first feel a cold coming can shorten your cold and make your symptoms less severe. Even if you already take these vitamins daily, taking an extra dose can really give your system a little boost to help it fight off your cold and get you feeling good again.
Up Your Fluid Intake
Staying hydrated is also a great way to give your body just what it needs to beat a cold in record time.
In addition to helping your body stay regular and function as optimally as possible while fighting off a cold, keeping yourself hydrated will also help to thin and loosen any mucus that might be accumulating in your chest or sinuses. So even if you don’t normally drink a lot of water during the day, at the first sign of a cold, it’s time to get your water bottle filled up and get sipping.
If you start to feel yourself getting a cold this fall or winter, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you take the right actions to weaken and beat that cold in just a few short days.
