Runny nose, cough, sore throat… The cold may be a mild illness, but it can be very debilitating. Even more when we know that the majority of French people prefer to go to work when they are unwell* rather than being accused of absenteeism. Result ? You have to compose and make sure that the symptoms of the cold affect your work as little as possible. If the cold can’t be cured in a day, you can still fight the symptoms the most disabling by following a few simple tips to apply throughout the day.
Take a nice hot shower to ease cold symptoms
Taking a hot shower as soon as you wake up helps relieve cold symptoms. Indeed, the water vapor decongests the sinuses while lHumidity works to rehydrate the mucous membranes of the nose and throat, which have dried up overnight. A simple 2-in-1 treatment that is really good!
The best breakfast for colds
To start the day on the right foot, breakfast is an essential moment! In addition to a hot drink, we accompany our breakfast with fresh fruit rich in micronutrients. The vitamins and minerals present in fresh fruits help to strengthen the immune defenses undermined by the common cold. The menu for a champion breakfast?
- a large glass of freshly squeezed orange juice, to fill up with vitamin C,
- whole grains, for zinc,
- 2 squares of 70% cocoa dark chocolate, for the magnesium.
Lunch: the best meal when you have a cold
Rather accustomed to swallowing a sandwich or a salad in a hurry, between 2 files or 2 appointments? We will have to change our habits if we want to fight against the nuisance of the common cold! Indeed, it is better to plan to eat hot! Ideally, we defer our choice on a vegetable or meat broth, considered a real trick of grandmother anti-cold in the Anglo-Saxon countries and across the Rhine. It would limit inflammation and lead to real relief from cold symptoms.
Physical exercise against colds
When you’re sick it’s probably the last thing you aspire to …. And yet, a little walk or exercise after meals can be really beneficial when you have a stuffy nose and puffy eyes. The reason ? This will help boost your immune system. No need to embark on a marathon or do an express triathlon! On the other hand, we make sure to stay hydrated throughout your sports session. best cold sports ? Walking, cycling, running…
Against the common cold, we abuse hot drinks
A good hot herbal tea temporarily relieves the sore throat and the cough. Infusions of thyme (a plant with anti-infectious properties), chamomile or peppermint rehydrate the body and relieve symptoms, especially a stuffy nose.
Dinner a spicy dish to fight the common cold
Spices to drive away the cold? Eating spicy, seasoning your dish with curry or cayenne pepper – but while respecting your tastes, of course – promotes secretions from the respiratory tract, which relieves (at least temporarily) the feeling of a stuffy nose.
What is the point of taking a hot bath before sleeping when you have a cold?
Having a good hot bath can work wonders when you have a cold. Not only does hot water have a decongestant effect, but its relaxing effect can also soothe cold symptoms such as a scratchy throat or a runny nose… for a few hours. What allow us to fall asleep more easily! You can also add a few drops of lavender essential oils to your bath water to take advantage of its antiseptic properties and to help you fall asleep.
Why do you have to go to bed early when you have a cold?
The common cold is a disease that tires the body a lot, so don’t neglect your sleep to properly recharge your batteries. Depending on what time your alarm clock rings, make sure you go to bed early enough to get at least 8 hours of sleep. For a saving rest, you can also add an extra cushion to raise your head to breathe better during the night.
*According to a survey conducted by OnePoll for Seton on the reasons that lead the French to go to work when they are unwell, 93.5% of employees have already gone to work while sick.
Read also:
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Cold, flu, gastro, covid: how do I know if I’m still contagious?
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Is the common cold really contagious?