Just after midterms, your body feels like it can finally relax. No more headaches, no more knotted shoulders, and no more writer’s cramps.
However, it is just when you start to relax that you get sick. It could be the changing weather, surrounded by sick people, or your immune system getting low. And no matter how much you’ve washed your hands, avoided sick people, and taken your daily vitamins, it somehow finds its way into your body. And now your sick.
Here are some quick tips on getting over an after mid-term cold.
Relax and De-Stress
Firstly you need some time off. Stress only weakens your immune system and doesn’t allow you to recover. Any strenuous activity, and yes that does mean the gym, will take your white blood cells away from fighting off the cold.
Do something fun to keep your mind off of things while still staying relaxed. Sit on the couch and catch up on your shows. Lay in bed and surf the web or pick up a good book. Whatever you decide just be sure you’re not stressing.
Go to Bed Earlier
Sleeping is the best way for your body to recover. If you don’t get enough sleep your body can’t reset itself like it is supposed to. When you sleep your immune system can take the time to fight off the cold inside of you.
I’m sure you’re normally used to getting six hours of sleep or less. This time try to get at least eight hours, if not more. Plus, dreaming is an awesome way to have an adventure while still relaxing your body.
Pop Some Vitamins
As silly as your grandma or grandpa might sound, taking your vitamins while sick is essential. Although there is no particular vitamin you should pay attention to the most commonly recommended vitamins that you should stock up on when you’re sick are Zinc, vitamin D, and vitamin C.
Be sure to still take your daily vitamins, but try to add supplements so that you have more for your body to use. If you don’t feel comfortable taking tablets or pills, you can get these vitamins from food too. The internet has a wealth of knowledge on where to get nutrients that you will need. See what you can find!
Plenty of Fluids
Drink, drink, drink, drink! And no, that does not mean alcohol!
Your body is mostly made of water. So it makes sense to drink plenty of it. When you’re sick you need to keep up the water in your body so that the cells that you need to fight off the cold can move easier through your body.
I recommend water and tea to drink. Both are good for you and there are a variety of teas that offer great nutrients. For a food with liquid, I always recommend chicken soup. You get protein, vitamins from the vegetables, and the broth is not only great tasting, but great for you.
Take OTC Meds
If you are pretty sick and don’t have the confidence that your body can fight it off take some over the counter medicine. There are a variety of great medicine that you can find over the counter.
I recommend buying medicine that deals with multiple symptom. Not all colds are the same so having a medicine that can deal with all of them is the best. Also, try to get ones that are for both night and day, or have two medicines that deal with both.
A night time medicine usually has something in it that allows you to sleep easier. That means that you will be drowsy and will not be good if you have to drive that day. The day time medicine is non-drowsy, and you will be able to stay alert while still fighting off the cold.
Go To The Doctor
If your symptoms are bad, and you don’t feel like you’re getting better after a few days, then you should go to the doctor. Doctors can give you a stronger medication to fight off the cold that you have. Then you can be sure that you are getting better and you also will not be contagious to your friends.
Remember, if you are sick be sure to wash your hands frequently, cover your mouth when you cough, and your nose when you sneeze. No one likes to be sick. If you are courteous to others, then they will be courteous to you.