Got a sore throat and a headache threatening to devour your productivity whole? Welcome to the sad world of The Sniffles. You’re in the doorway towards sickness but it’s not too late to turn back to Healthy Land again. All you gotta do is follow these four simple steps.
Get some zinc
Take a zinc lozenge as soon as you get the sniffles – it’s known to narrow down the time you’re sick. “It does this specifically by reducing the amount that the rhinovirus (which causes many colds) can bind to your mucous membranes, like throat and nose linings,” says doctor Tamlyn McKeag.
READ MORE: THESE Are Officially The 8 Best Teas For Your Health
Drink Echinacea tea
This pretty plant is a powerful cold-buster. “Echinacea is thought to stimulate the production of white blood cells which assist is fighting infection, so it’s considered an immune booster that eliminates bugs in your system”, says Clicks pharmacist Waheed Abdurahman.
Steam your face
An old-school tactic that works. “It’s useful because thickened mucous provides a breeding ground for bacteria that cause secondary infections such as sinusitis, bronchitis and throat infections,” says Abdurahman. Steaming unblocks all the icky germs in your breathing passages, so they can get out of your system.
READ MORE: 7 Easy Hacks For Your Best Sleep Ever
Go to sleep
The best news! A study reveals that the less sleep you get, the more likely you’ll get a cold. “Rest is essential for an adequate immune system, so being chronically overtired leaves you susceptible to illness,” says McKeag. Clock at least 8 hours to feel better tomorrow.