1: Walk fast. New
research has shown that walking briskly will help keep a cold
at bay by increasing your immunity. But don't run (you'll
get sick if you overexert yourself), and if you have anything more
than the sniffles, you best stay in bed.
2: Don't blow. When your nose is all stuffed up,
blowing both nostrils at the same time can propel mucus up into
your sinuses, which could
possibly cause further infection. Um, yecch. Instead, take
decongestants or blow one nostril at a time.
Related: 10 Things Every Woman Should Know About Her Body
3: Take a sauna.
Research shows that the warm, moist air somehow gives your bod
the same detoxifying benefits that drinking lots of liquids does
when you're sick, ushering the cold right out the door.
4: Have a hot fruit drink. A fruit cordial, to be specific
(can you tell
this is a study from Wales?). Drinking a hot cup of apple and
black currant juice has been found to relieve symptoms such as
sniffling, coughing, sore throat, and runny nose. Scientists are
researching whether other hot drinks are as effective.
5: Eat peppers. Chow some red bell peppers, high-in-vitamin-C superfoods that are believed to reduce the length and intensity of cold and flu symptoms. Other immunity-boosting foods: yogurt, tumeric, garlic, oregano, green tea, and pumpkins.
Oh--and here's one way that's total common sense, but
it's worth repeating: Snooze. Just make sure it's for more
than seven hours a day--research
has shown that people who get less zzzs than that are three
times as likely to get a cold.
How do you beat a cold--Mom's chicken soup, vitamin C, sleep?
What are your tried-and-true tips?
Plus, check out more home remedies for whatever is ailing you!
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