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We all know the weather is getting colder. If you’re at work or out and about, you may have heard a few extra sneezes, coughs or sniffles surrounding you. You guessed it, it’s that time of year again when more and more people are getting sick. 

In the lead up to the colder months, you may have looked at ways of boosting your immunity. But, what if you’re starting to feel sick with a cold or flu? What do you do once you’ve already started to feel unwell? If you’re like most people, you’ll feel like you simply don’t have the time to get sick. While there’s no miracle cure to get rid of illness within a couple of hours, there are a few things you can do to help lessen the symptoms and get back to feeling your best self as soon as possible.

Stay at home

We all feel that guilt when we’re sick that we shouldn’t stay home from work or school. But, the truth is, you need to stay home to start feeling better. Continuing to go to work and get out and about can, in fact, make you feel worse. The last thing you want to do when you start to feel ill is to keep going out and get worse. You’re most contagious in the first few days of illness, meaning this is the perfect time for you to stay at home and rest. Take a few days off work or from studies and get some much-needed rest.

Rest up

Now that you’re at home, this isn’t an excuse to get all of the household jobs done. If you’re at home sick, you need to put your feet up and rest. This is the best time to stay in bed or on the couch and take in a couple of those Netflix series’ that you’ve been wanting to watch. Don’t feel guilty about napping and resting all day. Your body needs time to rest and recover, so give yourself a break and rest. 

Reduce your exercise

If you’re normally at the gym on a daily basis or out running every morning, you may need to take your exercise routine down a notch for a few days. Working out when you’re sick isn’t going to give you that same energy boost you might get on a normal day. Heavy exercise could exacerbate congestion or breathing issues. Instead, opt for some easy-going exercise such as gentle stretches or a slow walk around the home or backyard. 

Stay hydrated

Surprisingly, it’s easy to forget to drink fluids when you’re not feeling very well. But, in order to help yourself feel better, you need to stay hydrated. Water is your best option, but you can also opt for other drinks such as herbal teas and juices. You want to keep hydrated so that you can help flush out any infections from your system and reduce any congestion you may be experiencing in your nose, throat and sinuses. If you’re experiencing vomiting or diarrhoea, grab a beverage that has electrolytes to ensure you stay properly hydrated. 

Have a hot shower

If you have a sore or itchy throat, a hot shower may help. The heat from the water on your body may also help to relax your muscles and ease any muscular pains you may be experiencing. Use the steam from your shower to help loosen any sinus congestion you may have. 

Stick to a healthy diet

When you’re unwell, you might be feeling sorry for yourself and want to opt for unhealthy foods that are high in calories. But, you want to avoid over-eating bad foods and continue to eat a healthy and balanced diet. Getting the right nutrients and vitamins is essential when you’re unwell so that you can help improve your immune system and work on feeling better again. Eat fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains and lean meats where possible. Soups and dark leafy greens can give you the vitamin boost you need to help fight off infections. If you’re not feeling up to eating due to nausea, sipping on vegetable or chicken soup or supplementing your diet with a multivitamin may be beneficial for you. 

Remember, if you’re not feeling better after a few days, or your symptoms worsen, it’s always advisable to seek attention from a medical practitioner to ensure you have the right treatment for your personal needs. If you’re feeling run-down with a cold or flu, remember to take it easy and rest for a while. With rest, the right nutrients and good hydration, you should be back to feeling 100% once again in no time at all.