How to Get Rid of a Cold

So it's sorta hard to think of self-improvement topics when I am at home, sitting on the couch in my pyjamas, sick with a cold. I have already missed several days of school and my main focus right now is getting better so I can return to class. 

There is nothing fun about having a cold, and the shorter the time I have to be sick the better.  I have taken several over the counter medications with no relief. But I keep thinking that there must be something out there that will get rid of my cold symptoms fast. So I took it to Google to try out possible cold remedies that I will share with you. 

I know under age drinking isn't cool, but once in a while for medicinal purposes (and with parental consent) shouldn't hurt. My grandmother's home remedy was to take a sip or two of brandy, which she says coats the throat to help quiet a cough. I don't know if I was coughing, but I know I slept a lot. 

Sleeping is also something people say to do when you're sick. Although for a while I never understood why sleeping was so important when you're ill.  Well Google answered that for me... actually a nurse on ca.answers.yahoo.com, answered it for me. See, she says you need more rest, because your body heals itself while you sleep, and the longer you sleep, the more time you give your body to replenish itself. It all makes sense now.

Another thing you should keep in mind is to have warm liquids, such as soup or tea. The ideal tea to drink when you are sick is Chamomile or Elderflower tea. I found it tasted better when I added all natural honey, which also helps to soothe the throat. Several sources say to eat soup when sick, not simply for the nutrition, but because the steam from the hot soup helps clear congestion and keeps you hydrated. 

It is also recommended to take a hot bath to sweat out the cold. Like I just said, steam is super beneficial when sick because it acts as a de-congestant.

To help with congestion when you are sleeping, it is recommended to use a humidifier in your room to keep the air moist. It is also suggested to use saline nasal rises to eliminate mucus, but I think this sounds so disgusting, I was not willing to try it. 

Another home remedy that my grandmother showed me was the benefit of gargling salt water to help soothe a sore or scratchy throat temporarily. 



Most people think that vitamin C helps quickly get rid of a cold, but unless you're consuming a large amount it won't do anything. Vitamins can help prevent a cold if taken prior to becoming sick. 

Another thing people assume is that it is possible to get rid of a cold in as little as 24 hours; but they're wrong. Unless you have super healing powers you can not completely get rid of a cold in such little time. A common cold generally lasts a week to ten days, before symptoms are gone.  


In reviewing all the information online, I would have to say that the most effective methods to get rid of a cold for me were to drink lots of fluids, use a humidifier, and get lots of rest. I hope none of my readers get sick this season, but if you do, feel free to try out any of these remedies.  

Sources: 
https://ca.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20110212192343AAz6F4x
http://www.elephantjournal.com/2013/11/19-things-that-can-help-us-feel-better-when-were-sick/