I haven’t been sick in a few years, which is quite a progress considering that I had such a weak immune system before that and got seriously sick multiple times a year.
That, of course, led to taking antibiotics, which may kill the symptoms but not the illness itself, and harms the body in the long-term.
To fix my situation, I started doing simple things like dressing warmly, shying away from the outdoors if I felt the flu coming on, drinking Propolis Tincture almost every day, and just having in mind that I’m not invincible. That last part really helps.
But every now and then, be it in the winter or early spring, we all feel our throats begin to ache, get either stuffy or runny noses and sometimes both somehow, headaches, chills, exhaustion, or have other early symptoms that mean we’re on the verge of catching a cold.
And instead of panicking, taking medications and considering ourselves seriously sick and committing ourselves to a week of bed rest, we should change our lifestyles a bit for a few days and do something real to fight the flu.
Naturally, there are several simple hacks everyone should use in the early stages to beat the cold and stay healthy.
1. Increase your vitamin intake
Your immune system needs to be boosted and the first thing you should do is start eating more fruits. You may roll your eyes when you hear an advice like that, but in this situation it helps a lot.
I’ve been eating proteins only for the last few days and of course that is not the best choice of a regimen. But now that I feel I may get sick, I started eating fruits.
I’ll also go out to buy vitamin C now. That’s another key thing. Actually, any other vitamin you start taking now will also improve your condition.
2. Drink your tea
I was having tea first thing in the morning. I put honey into it – an important ingredient, and Propolis Tincture. Seriously, drink that 2-3 times a day and it will help.
Many people underestimate Propolis or don’t give it a try at all, but you should know that it’s a seemingly magical product. It has vitamins, minerals, proteins and is an antioxidant. It’s a supplement and a completely natural antibiotic. A combination of Propolis extract and food-grade alcohol used medicinally.
If you haven’t tried it yet and tend to get sick often, or just need to improve your health, make it a daily supplement.
3. Spend some time in a sauna
I didn’t expect sweating in a sauna to help when doctors recommended it to me a year ago, but it sure did. The high temperature really helps weaken the virus and bring down the fever, and breathing deeply helped soothe my nose and throat.
That’s why I think I’ll have a sauna session later in the day.
4. Get your fill of Vitamin D
Have you ever wondered why we get sick in the winter and almost never in the summer?
The reason is vitamin D, and the best way to get it is from sunlight. So if you can find a way to go out for a walk while the sun is still shining, it will be great for your immune system. 15 minutes of sun a day can have a huge impact on our health in general.
But if you can’t do it, as many northern countries don’t have any sun in the winter months, get Vitamin D from other sources. It can be found in fatty fish or tuna, egg yolks, UV light or in the form of supplements.
5. Change your diet
For the next few days try to eat a lot of fruits and veggies. Also add antibacterial foods like garlic, ginger, honey, lemons, carrots and tomatoes. Protein is also a must. Everything else you crave can wait for when you feel better and have fought off the flu.
6. Stay hydrated
Don’t underestimate the amount of liquid your body needs and the power it has. Drink a lot of water, along with the tea, and nothing else.
7. Improve your hygiene
Wash your hands more than you usually do to avoid spreading germs. A hand sanitizer is also a good idea. Another thing I find useful is to change sheets and towels more often when you feel a little sick.
8. Get some fresh air
Last but not least, airing out all rooms throughout these days of sickness will prevent you from breathing dust. Fresh air is great for the immune system, so expose yourself to it as much as you can.
All of these tips aren’t things you haven’t heard of, but don’t let that make you neglect them. Simple as they may seem, implementing all of them into your lifestyle for a few days and focusing on getting better is the key to holding off the flu and colds.
What other remedies have you tried to get rid of the flu?
Featured photo credit: Healthy Berries are Good Food for Health via flickr.com
