Relieve common cold and flu symptoms with these 6 simple at-home remedies
Feeling under the weather? From napping to sipping hot tea, 6 ways to ease aches and pains
Laid up on the couch with a cold or the flu? While catching up on your favorite show under a cozy blanket is always a good idea, there are plenty of simple and effective things you can do to get some relief when you’re feeling under the weather. And while this year’s cold and flu season might be more stressful than usual with COVID-19 on everyone’s mind, these at-home remedies could help ease some of your worries.
Take a trusted over-thecounter pain reliever
Advil is a leading and trusted over
® the-counter medication that can help lessen the effects of fever and minor body aches, making it a great medicine cabinet must-have for battling both the common cold and the flu. The tried and true methods are often the best ones — Advil has been used for more than 35 years in 40 countries to safely and effectively reduce fever and relieve aches and pains, when used as directed. And since the flu and COVID-19 sometimes have similar symptoms, it’s a good idea to have ibuprofen – the active ingredient in Advil – on hand. In fact, ibuprofen is listed as an essential medicine in the World Health Organization’s (WHO) guidelines for treating pain and fever associated with mild COVID-19.
Get plenty of rest
Feeling extra tired when you’ve got a cold or the flu is completely normal, so give yourself permission to take plenty of naps. Sleep helps your body fight infections and, according to Mayo Clinic, can help boost your immune system when you’re sick. How does this work? When you’re awake, your body needs to direct energy to activities like moving or thinking. When you’re asleep, your body can redirect that energy to your immune system to fight your illness. Suddenly another nap sounds like a great idea.
Drink some soothing tea
A sore throat or stuffy nose is often the worst part of getting a cold or the flu. Swallowing and eating may be unpleasant. But a cup of hot tea could help. According to the Mayo Clinic, beyond its general soothing properties, tea could help ease congestion by increasing mucus flow. Add a dollop of honey to make it even more nourishing — your body will thank you.
Keep the liquids coming
As a general rule of thumb, the higher yoAs a general rule of thumb, the higher your fever, the more dehydrated you risk becoming. Your body also loses fluids from making and then draining away mucus. What you eat and drink will affect your recovery. Help restore liquids to your body by drinking plenty of water, juice or broth. Stay away from coffee and alcohol, which could further dehydrate you. Try a straw or add some lemon to your water — whatever helps you get that H2O intake up.
Make the air nice and moist
The fall and winter tend to be when most people take their humidifiers out of storage and fill them up. Beyond battling the uncomfortable feeling of dryness that can come with indoor heating systems, humidifiers can also bring some respite for cold sufferers. Adding moisture to the air could help to relieve congestion, making it easier to breathe. A cool-mist vaporizer can achieve the same effects.
Soothe a scratchy throat
When you’ve got a cold or the flu, swallowing might feel like rubbing sandpaper together. To help soothe an irritated throat, try gargling saltwater for some temporary relief. Dissolve 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of salt in warm water and swish it around in your mouth. Another option? Drink or eat something cold for a nice cooling sensation.
While there is no cure for the common cold or the flu, these are some of the best ways you can make your symptoms feel more bearable while you’re sick. So be sure to get plenty of rest, stay hydrated and take Advil as directed to help keep your fever down and ease minor aches and pains. And don’t forget that when in doubt, ask your doctor about what treatment options are best for you.
Think on the bright side: At least you’ve got the time to finally catch up on that show you’ve been meaning to watch..
To learn more about how Advil can relieve cold and flu symptoms, visit advil. com.