Sick Of Being Sick

by Steve Gamel

No one has time to be sick, right? Not only is being laid up in bed with the cold or flu a total bummer, but we’ve all got busy lives – kids need to get to school on time, that to-do list at work is getting longer, we’ve got an important meeting. So we keep pushing through, ignoring the early warning signs, until our body forces us to stop.

The flu season alone peaks between December and February, but can last as late as May. At the same time, there are a variety of other illnesses that can bog us down, from the common cold to respiratory infections, ear infections, and stomach bugs. So here we are lying in bed with two hoodies on, the blankets pulled up just below our eyes, and we’re watching re-runs of Dr. Phil. Whatever this is – the cold, the flu, or something else – just won’t go away.

So how do we get to feeling better? There are plenty of well-known remedies, including getting the flu shot, being religious about washing your hands, taking medicine, eating better, and getting more than enough rest to recharge those batteries. Here are a few more options that might get you back on your feet even faster:

We’ve mentioned several natural remedies. Apple cider vinegar in water helps kill bacteria in the body. You can get the similar benefits from coconut oil, garlic, fermented cod liver oil, a spoonful of honey, and elderberry syrup.

USE A HUMIDIFIER

Humidifiers put moisture back into the air, significantly reducing the ability of airborne viruses to cause flu infections. Using a humidifier while you sleep – whether you are sick or not – has a myriad of benefits including improved sleep, faster healing, and decreased sinus issues.

DETOX BATH AND HOT SHOWERS

Try detox baths with a few dashes of Epsom salt even when you aren’t sick, as it is known to draw out toxins while easing stress, improving sleep and concentration, and reducing muscle inflammation.

SALINE OR WARM WATER WASH

This may seem like an unpleasant experience, but using saline, a Neti Pot, or simply filling your hands with warm water every morning and inhaling the water, clears your nose and nasal cavities. This can help with general colds, allergies, and sinus infections. Give it a try.

GARGLE WITH SALT WATER

Getting a large glass from the kitchen and gargling with salt water provides instant relief for a sore throat, sometimes faster than over-the-counter medicines or throat lozenges. It also has preventative benefits, so try it before you get sick or when you experience early warning signs.

TAKE CARE OF YOUR GUT

If you want to be healthier next winter, start eating more foods that support a healthy gut. A healthy gut makes it difficult for bacteria that cause colds, the flu, and other viruses to gain traction and wreak havoc on your life. You can do this through probiotics/shopping or healthier foods.

PUT VICKS VAPORUB ON YOUR FEET, CHEST, AND NOSE

Vicks VapoRub has been around forever, and everyone knows its benefits as a decongestant for your chest and throat as well as being a remedy for headaches and achy muscles. But have you tried rubbing it on your feet and covering them with warm socks? Do this before bedtime, especially if you have a nagging cough.