How to cure a cold fast

*disclaimer* these home remedies are all based on personal opinion and information. Some remedies may cure your cold over night, while others may not work on you.

*disclaimer* you can only rely on home remedies so much. If you feel extremely ill, or have symptoms that persist, visit your local doctor. Always read the label to the product you are using.

1) Stay hydrated

I can't stress this one enough. This is the most important tip! Drinking water keeps you hydrated, flushes the bacteria from your body, and keeps your mind clear and sharp.

The benefits of staying hydrated are truly endless. Avoid sugary drinks, drinks with caffeine, bubbly drinks (pop), and dairy. They will make your cold worse and irritate your throat.

Another thing about hydration, never have any cold to eat or drink! I know it's very tempting to chug a glass of ice cold water when your throat is dry, itchy, and warm.

Drinking/eating cold foods will make you feel better temporarily, but will make your cold worse in general. You should only have cold food/drink with a sore throat if it is not bacteria-influenced.

For example, tonsillitis. Colds/flu are bacteria induced/caused so cold food & drink will not help but just make it a lot worse. Drink warm/hot liquids!

2) Sleep & rest

Next to staying hydrated, this is extremely important. Sleep as much as you can and your cold will go away much faster. If you can't fall asleep, just lie down, close your eyes, read, or watch tv.

If you do not feel well, especially feverish, stay home. Don't go to work or school, you will have a long, tiring, painful day. Stay at home for at least one day to rest and then go back to work.

3) Vitamins & minerals (especially vitamin C)

Vitamins & minerals are super important when you have a cold. Eat your fruits and veggies, drink herbal tea, take vitamins, drink fruit juice or smoothies, eat an orange, etc.

4) Stay warm!

Keep warm and cozy when you're sick! It's not called a cold for no reason. Sometimes when you have aches and a fever you feel sweaty and hot. That's normal, but do not take your sweater off!

If you become sweaty, change into dry clothes so your sweat doesn't make you catch chills. (Gross, I know) Keep your whole body nice and warm for the whole time.

5) Keep your skin moisturized!

These may not help you fight your cold, but keeping your skin healthy and moisturized will make you feel better. Have you ever noticed that when you're sick, your skin is really dry/itchy?

Use products like lip balm, face cream, hand cream, body lotion and vaseline to moisturize and hydrate your dehydrated skin. Another thing water can help with!

6) Spicy food

Spicy food is great for colds. When you eat spicy food, you'll start to sweat out the bacteria from your body. Plus, the spice will kill bacteria and cleanse your system.

7) Soup

As I mentioned earlier, hot foods/liquids are great for colds and sore throats. Especially chicken noodle soup since the chicken will help the white blood cells fight bacteria. Canned soup will do!

8) Bathe regularly

Since you sweat a lot when you have a cold, showering is necessary. Try to shower at least every other day. You'll feel cleaner, fresher, kill any leftover bacteria, remove oil from your skin,

And not to mention open your airways with the warm steam. Make sure you completely dry off and blow dry your hair immediately afterwards so you don't get cold/wet. Stay warm!

9) Vicks Vaporub

If you don't know what Vicks Vaporub is, it's a menthol -based ointment to put on your chest, nose, back, neck and more to help with coughing and other cold symptoms. It's for external use only!

10) Tea ☕️

Not only is tea hot, soothing and delicious, it's also high in antioxidants and minerals. Drink as much tea as you can to keep you hydrated. Add lemon and honey for a healthier tea and flavour.

11) Honey<3

Honey has a lot of vitamins and antioxidants so eat it up! Add it to tea, toast , cereal, or eat it by the spoon full. It's also made with all natural sugars so no refined sugar there ;)

*disclaimer on honey* some people believe that honey is not good for babies or young children so please be careful with honey around infants. Always read the label on the food you are eating.