You feel that little itch in the back of your throat. You sneeze a few more times throughout the day than you normally do. Your nose is dripping more than usual. Then you’re sitting around your kitchen with your roommates and utter those dreaded words: “I think I’m getting sick.” Almost immediately, or so it seems, your roommates flee and search for cover. In college, it seems as though when one person is sick, everyone is sick. Classes are filled with sniffles, coughing and sneezing and all you want to do is run. So, we suffer together. I’m no doctor but after several semesters of catching everyone’s germs, I’ve come to learn a few tricks that can maybe help you, too.
1. Rest
This seems like an obvious one, but hear me out. The vast majority of students at FSU love to party, it’s not a secret. The only issue is that we don’t ever really stop. ‘Noles will go out to bars, clubs and parties despite noticing the warning signs of an oncoming cold. This only prolongs our colds and spreads it through the masses. By staying in and resting (crazy idea, I know) we have a better chance of beating our colds faster so we can continue to rage. Rest is so very important and we don’t get enough of it in general, but it’s imperative when we’ve got those nasty bugs floating around everywhere.
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2. DayQuil/NyQuil
People make jokes, but these two god-sends are no laughing matter. DayQuil will help you get through your day no matter how awful you feel upon opening your eyes. NyQuil and I have a love-hate relationship. I’m able to sleep soundly through the night yet waking up can be quite a drag. The key to NyQuil is taking it early in the night. Like 10 p.m. early, not midnight early. It sounds very grandma-esque but this goes back to the whole rest thing – you have to give your body a chance to get better. Extra little tip: the Walmart brand works just as well for a couple dollars cheaper. Extra, extra little tip: the liquids, as nasty as they are, are more cost-efficient than the pill version!
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3. Vicks Vapor Rub
When I was younger, I had a nanny from Peru with all kinds of crazy home remedies for just about any ailment. Whenever my siblings and I were sick (there are four of us so we, of course, would all be sick at the same time), she would lather Vicks on us like it was lotion. Under our noses, on our chests….and on the bottoms of our feet. Weird but so worth it. After you take your shower for the night and are all cozied up in bed, put some Vicks on the bottoms of your feet and throw on a pair of socks. This trick works. In the morning, you’ll actually be able to breathe. Extra little tip: Walmart brand for this one also works just as well.
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4. Salt Water
While yes, the beach cures everything, this isn’t what I’m talking about. For those of you out there suffering from an itchy or a sore throat, this one’s for you. Just gargle with some salt water several times throughout the day. All you have to do is put some sea salt in a cup, mix with hot water and gargle and spit five or six times. Doing this several times throughout the day will have your throat feeling better in no time. Your roommates may think you’re up to something wacky but once you let them in on the secret, they’ll be worshipping you.
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5. Emergen-C
This stuff is my go-to when I feel a cold coming on. It’s packed with 1,000 mg of Vitamin C to give you that extra boost you’ll need to make it through that 8 a.m. The trick with this one is to use as little water as possible. Treat it like a shot and it’s much more manageable. Those of you who put the packet in a water bottle are only prolonging your suffering.
Courtesy: Emergen-C
6. ChapStick
We’ve all woken up with dry cracked lips when we have a cold. It’s usually because our poor noses are too stuffed to breathe through so our mouths hang open all night thus causing chapped lips (if you used Vicks, this wouldn’t be such a big problem). Keep a Chapstick next to your bed and apply before you go to sleep and this will help tremendously. I personally love ChapStick brand Classic Medicated but there are several different kinds for you to choose from.
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7. Throat Lozenges
How annoying is it when that one kid in class can’t control their perpetual cough? It’s the worst. I think it’s even worse when that kid is you. Cough drops are your friend. I always have a bag in my backpack so I’m not that person who sounds like they’re about to throw up a lung. It’s not only annoying but also kind of gross. You can’t help but feel like the germs have taken over the air and are coming right for you. You also don’t want to be the spreader of said germs so cough drops are a must.
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8. Sweat It Out
Have you ever noticed that when you’re walking from one end of the campus to the other, your nose suddenly is releasing a flood of snot and mucus? You arrive at your destination only to have to run to the bathroom to blow your nose before you look like a two-year-old at daycare whose face is covered in snot. That physical activity is helping break up all the phlegm and drain it. Jumping on the treadmill for 20 minutes when you have a cold will seriously help you drain out all of that congestion. It will probably be the last thing you want to do but your body will thank you.
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If at the end of all this, you’re still feeling like trash you may want to seek a professional opinion. It may be more than just a common cold. I’m no doctor nor am I studying to be one. I simply wanted to share what I’ve found to work for me. Happy sniffling!