10 effective ways to reduce common cold and flu

Don’t worry. You don’t need to go visit the doctor every time you get cold. However, if you feel you are in urgent need of medical assistance, then immediately contact your doctor. Otherwise, there are many simple ways with the help of which you can quickly reduce the effects of cold.

Here are the ten ways to reduce common cold for people who often suffer from it:

1. Disinfect Often

If you are prone to get a cold easily, it is best for you to keep yourself and your surroundings clean. Disinfect the places or surfaces which are frequently touched by people, such as doorknobs, stair railings, remote control, phones, and so on, to keep them germfree. Needless to say, wash your hands properly, specifically before and after touching your face, eyes, or mouth.

2. Limit Your Human Contact during Flu Season

For a person who gets infected with a cold easily and often, it would be wise of you to keep limited contact with people. Make sure to keep your distance from people, specifically during the flu season, as it will not take you long to contract the flu.

3. Stay Hydrated

The best favor you can do for your body while you have a cold is to keep drinking liquids and stay hydrated. Consume lots of water, juices, and drinks such as tea with ginger and other herbs.

Keeping your body hydrated during cold is necessary to prevent a hoarse throat, dry mouth, and high fever as it helps to eliminate toxins from the human body. As a result, the capability of your body to fight the flu or virus improves.

4. Avoid Extensive Exercise

Exercise keeps a body awake and active, and it also enhances the immunity to fight off diseases. However, staying away from exercise and other physical activities during a cold would be best for you. Avoid exercise to let your body have enough energy to fight off the flu.

5. Try Salt Water Gargles

When you feel your throat is itchy or dry, it could be an early sign of a cold. To avoid or reduce the effects, try salt water gargling twice a day. All you are required to do is add salt to warm water. Take the water in your mouth and gargle 5-6 times. This home remedy or technique has been used in curing a cold for a long time, which is proven to be a feasible alternate to help with the cold.

6. Consume Hot Food

To fight off cold, one should watch their diet and consume hot food. The best meal to help with cold is hot soup, specifically hot broth or chicken soup. Consumption of hot soup is a research-based and proven remedy for the treatment and prevention of cold. It helps in reducing the swelling and discomfort of the nasal cavities, prevents congestion, and boosts antibodies.

Other than hot food, you can also add natural and herbal food items to your diets, such as ginger, turmeric, garlic, peppermint, honey, and products rich in Vitamin C. 

7. Avoid Caffeine

During cold, help your body fight off the flu by avoiding caffeine intake. Keep away from caffeinated products such a coffee and alcohol, which tend to dehydrate the body and dry the mouth.

8. Say No to Smoking

Smoking is a harmful activity enjoyed by many. However, smoking has a fatal impact on the human body, let alone the cold. Therefore, when you have a cold, strictly avoid consuming a cigarette or any other such product.

Cold impacts your respiratory system, and smoking can further damage your lungs. It can single-handedly worsen your cold as smoking weakens the lungs. Smoking also leads to a dry mouth and throat.

9. Take a Hot Bath and Steam

To help with your cold and congestion, take hot baths and steam, which will definitely relieve your nasal cavity and sinuses. Stand under the hot running water and inhale hot steam. Add a vapor rub to the hot water for steam. Moreover, it will also help in killing the virus, which is vulnerable to hot temperatures.

10. Take Proper Rest

One of the most essential and basic steps to reduce the effects of cold is taking proper rest. Make sure you get not only enough but sound sleep. Keep your body and mind relaxed so that your body is able to consume the energy to resist the virus and work more efficiently.

Avoid going out unless highly urgent. Do not do any activity which can be tiring for your body. Even medical professionals advise their patients to take proper rest and stay at home and relax.