WAYS TO FEEL BETTER NOW

Have you woken up with a sore throat and are coughing, sneezing, and sniffling. There’s no denying it: you’re sick. Sadly, there’s no cure for the common cold. However, you can find relief faster with these smart moves. Take it easy. When you’re sick, your body works hard to fight off the infection. It needs more energy than usual. Make rest your top priority. Stay home from work or school and put your daily routine on hold until you feel better. Go to bed. Curling up on the couch helps but don’t stay up late watching TV. Skimping on sleep makes your immune system weak, making it harder to fight germs. Head to bed early and take naps during the day. Are your symptoms keeping you up at night? Try using an extra pillow to raise your head. It can ease sinus pressure and help you breathe easier. Drink up. Getting plenty of fluids thins your mucus and breaks up congestion. It also prevents the headaches and fatigue that dehydration causes. Keep a glass or reusable bottle on hand and refill it with water. Skip caffeinated sodas and coffee, which can dry you out. Gargle with saltwater. It’s a good way to soothe a throbbing throat. The saltwater eases swelling and loosens mucus. Stir one-quarter to one-half a teaspoon of salt into a cup of warm water until it’s dissolved and then gargle it. Do this a few times a day. Sip a hot beverage. It’s comforting to curl up with a mug of tea. Plus, research shows that the heat can also ease cold symptoms, such as a sore throat and fatigue. Try sipping non-caffeinated herbal tea, lemon water, or warm broth. Have a spoonful of honey. This sticky stuff can coat your throat and soothe a cough. In one study, kids who ate about half a tablespoon of honey at bedtime slept more soundly and coughed less than those who got a placebo medicine. Stir it into a cup of decaf tea or lemon water. One warning: don’t give honey to babies younger than one-year-old. Take a hot shower. Breathing in steam may moisten a scratchy throat and nose as well as loosen your congestion. Although the research is mixed on whether this remedy works, there’s no harm in trying it. The heat can also help relax any aching muscles.