As the weather cools down, we expect candles, cosy jumpers and…colds and flus. Having a cold or the flu can actually cost you quite a bit of money, especially when it comes to dosing up on painkillers, decongestants and tissues. Here are 10 thrifty ways to beat colds and flus.
Rest
When you are ill it is really important to let your body rest. Colds and flus tend to hit us when we are most busy, and if you can't get time off work then look at your social commitments and see what you can let go whilst you recover. Resting allows your body the time and resources it needs to fight off infection. When you don't get enough sleep then infection-fighting antibodies are reduced, so resting us is extremely important.
Water
Staying hydrated when you have a cold or flu is really important. This will help to keep the mucous membranes moist and relieve dry eyes. We should normally be having eight 250ml glasses of water per day, so try to keep this up or increase it when you are ill.
A hug
A hug from a friend or loved one can help to decrease the level os cortisol (a stress hormone) in your body.
Warm drinks
Warm drinks provide great comfort when you have a cold or the flu, and there is a very good reason why. The warm drinks will soothe your nose and throat, but also help to relieve stuffiness. Stay away from drinks with too much dairy though because they will form more mucus. One of my favourites is warm orange squash.
Warm baths
The steam from warm baths or showers is great for easing congestion. You can also add Epsom salt or soothing essential oils (like tea tree or orange) to your bath.
Chicken soup
A bowl of chicken soup packed with veggies has so much goodness in it and is often calls upon when someone is under the weather. Why is chicken soup so good for you when you are poorly? It slows the movement of neutrophils in the body. They are a white blood cell that helps to defend your body against infections, and if they move slowly then they can work more concentrated on the areas of your body that need lots of healing. Even if you just have canned chicken soup, it will help.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is the key vitamin in immune response and protection, making it fantastic for fighting off colds and flus. Vitamin C is in so many great fruits and vegetables, including oranges, grapefruit, leafy greens, strawberries and much more. If you don't want to eat these things then even using fresh lemon juice in your hot drinks will make a big difference.
A great way to get more vitamin c is to drink smoothies. Or, you could have a smoothie bowl.
Humidifiers
Did you know that the flu spreads more easily in dry environments? That is why it is important to keep moisture in the room where you are spending time when you are ill. You can buy a humidifer, but if you don't want to work out any more money then you can cheat. You can place a wet hand towel on a radiator, and as the radiator heats up the towel, more moisture will enter the air.
Ginger
Ginger is an amazing food to help you boost your immune system. You can make your own ginger drink using ginger in hot water, or add it to a smoothie.
Saltwater
Gargling with salt water can help to ease your sore throat instantly. The perfect mixture should have a teaspoon os salt dissolved into a pint of water.
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