5 Remedies To Try When You Feel Unwell
Feeling unwell isn’t a feeling you want to encounter, especially when you have places to be, people to see, and deadlines to meet. Yet, there are around a billion cases of seasonal influenza annually. Whether it’s the beginning of a cold or the full-blown flu, it’s crucial to give your body the tools it needs to activate recovery mode.
From ensuring you stay hydrated to upping your vitamin and nutrient intake to getting lots of rest, there are plenty of things you can do to fight off fevers, stop your nose from running, and lessen that heavy head.
In this handy guide, we list five tried and tested remedies that have been on the go for years and continue to work today. Read on to learn more.
Get Plenty of Rest
When you’re sick, getting enough sleep is crucial. The longer you stay awake, the harder your body will find it to go into recovery mode. So, instead of burning the candle at both ends, say no to that extra hour of work or looming social event and plan a date with your bed instead.
Rest is one of the best tips for when you're feeling sick. When you allow your body to relax, your immune system gets stronger. A strong immune system will help you fight off viruses, fevers, and colds, preventing them from turning into something more serious. In addition, lots of shuteye assists with tissue repair, which fights fevers and lowers inflammation.
This doesn’t mean going overboard on your sleep schedule. If you function well on seven hours of sleep per night, don’t suddenly start sleeping for 12. You must stay consistent with your sleep cycle. The rule is to ensure as much sleep as normal when ill and not less!
Up the Liquid Intake
Yes, our grandmothers and mothers are right. When you’re feeling poorly, you must stay hydrated. You don’t have to limit your liquid intake solely to water. This can be anything from lemon water with honey to herbal teas and chicken soup.
Whatever you choose to drink, double your usual intake and try to avoid caffeine or alcohol. Colds and fevers drain water from our bodies. This is why staying hydrated is so important. Fluids help to clear nasal congestion and thin out mucus, thus making it easier to breathe.
Another way to give your body a hydration boost involves investing in a cool-mist humidifier. These nifty devices help to loosen congestion. If you’re struggling to breathe clearly, nasal saline sprays also help to temporarily relieve nasal congestion by loosening secretions.
Embrace Steam
Whether you take a hot shower or pop your head over a bowl of boiling water, this worldly remedy promises to soothe aches and pains, helping you flush out toxins.
In a nutshell, steam helps to sweat out your symptoms. This is down to the heightened moisture levels, which help to open your airways. This is a great remedy if you suffer from sinus pain or nasal congestion. You can even add a few teaspoons of vapor rub to the boiling water to heighten the effects of the topical analgesics contained in this medication.
Gargle With Salt Water
If part of your illness is an annoying, painfully sore throat, try gargling with saltwater. A staple ingredient in your pantry, natural salt is nature’s antiseptic. This can soothe your symptoms for a while and should be done a handful of times throughout the day. To make this concoction, add between 1/4 and 1/2 a teaspoon of salt to 8 ounces of warm water.
Other ways to soothe a sore throat include investing in throat sprays, lozenges, or trying ice chips. All have a similar soothing effect.
- Make Chicken Soup
This is another age-old remedy that is still as prevalent as ever. Whether you make the chicken soup following a recipe you've found online or you have a grandparent or parent willing to make it for you, this soothing, warming dish is a little like a hug in a bowl.
Chicken soup boasts an array of nutrient-beneficial ingredients. All promise to support your immune system.
Some studies suggest that the nutrients in chicken soup can slow the movement of neutrophils in your body, which helps your white blood cells focus on the areas of your body that need them. This can help you to heal quicker.
The Bottom Line
It’s common to feel sad when you are sick. In fact, some of the symptoms of the flu and common cold mimic those of depression. When you feel poorly, everyday tasks can feel like mammoth chores. When you’re ill, your body doesn’t behave the way you want it to.
From headaches to stuffy or runny noses to high fevers and aches and pains, combating these ailments requires you to act quickly.
Following the above tips and tricks will help you fight off the flu, bringing your body and mind back to life. This means you can get on with living life to the full, whether this entails tackling a mountain of meetings and deadlines or embracing outdoor activities and social outings.
All in all, when you feel 100%, nothing seems like a chore.
