There are numerous people struggling with cold symptoms, such as sore throat, runny nose, a cough and fatigue. While there are many things you can do to recover from the common cold, there are also things you do to make it worse. Are you doing any of these ?

• NOT GETTING ENOUGH SLEEP

Sleep is essential always, but even more so when your immune system is compromised when you are battling a cold. Too many people continue their daily hustle and bustle schedule. Going to work and carrying on as if their body is running at full capacity. The body needs to rest to repair itself and recharge or your cold may stick around.

Sleep deprivation interferes with your immune system and impairs the body’s ability to heal itself. Getting less than seven hours hampers the immune system. If at all possible stay home and rest for a couple of days at the onset of a cold and you will be back on your feet faster.

• NOT DRINKING ENOUGH WATER

A simple thing to do yet one of the worst with a cold. A dehydrated body is inefficient and not able to promote healing. Dehydration hinders your body’s ability to ward off infections by limiting the secretion of antimicrobial proteins in saliva. Those of you that have been following me know now is the time to increase your lemon water for additional immune boosting power.

• YOU KEEP SMOKING

Smoking in and of itself is disastrous to your health and can exacerbate a cold or cough. When you smoke you are irritating and damaging your lungs. With a cold your lungs have to work twice as hard to rid your body of the virus and cigarette smoke.

• EXERCISING TOO HARD

Working out and pushing your body too hard with a cold can interfere with healing and make the cold worse. If you have to work out then do a moderate exercise. This is not the time to do a high intensity workout. Instead try a brisk walk or some other moderate exercise until your cold is gone.

• TAKING ANTIBIOTICS

I already know from my years of working in health care many of you have leftover antibiotics stored in your medicine cabinet. First of all there should be no leftover antibiotics. If you are prescribed antibiotics you should take them until they are all gone.

Secondly antibiotics are prescribed for bacterial infections. The common cold, or rhinovirus, as the name states is a virus. Antibiotics do not work on viruses. As well taking them when you don’t need them can make your body resistant to them. Thus when you need them in the future for a bacterial infection they will not work

• BLOWING YOUR NOSE WITH EXCESSIVE FORCE

It may be mighty tempting to blow your nose with force to clear out all the gunk from your nasal cavities. However blowing your nose in this manner can be counterproductive. Doing this can actually send mucus into your sinuses and cause a sinus infection. Instead gently blow, clearing one nostril at a time.

• COUGH INTO YOUR HAND

As children many of us were taught to cough into our hands when in public and this practice may have carried over into adulthood. The rhinovirus lives longer on surfaces like your hand, than it does in the air. You are more likely to spread the virus if you cough all over your hand. You should turn your head when in public, cough into a tissue, dispose of it and wash your hands. Better yet stay home until you feel better. Why make everyone in the office sick ?

• YOU EAT SWEETS

You may be tempted to eat sweets when you don’t feel well, but try to stay away from sugary foods for as long as you have a cold. Sugar is an inflammatory food that can cause a depressed immune system. It weakens the white blood cells that are responsible for keeping us healthy. If you crave sweets, try natural fruit. Oranges which are loaded with healthy fiber and immune boosting vitamins and minerals are a good choice. Also adding raw honey to warm lemon water is a sugary boost that won’t compromise your immune system.

• YOU WASH YOUR HANDS TOO MUCH

I know, I know, I can hear it now. She is absolutely cray cray, LOL. However you can definitely over wash your hands. It is important to keep your hands washed regularly during cold and flu season to keep bacteria at bay. However excessive hand washing weakens your immune system making you more prone to getting sick and prolonging the common cold.

The University of Michigan School of Public Health found that children who have higher levels of chemicals found in soap, especially the antibacterial ones, were more likely to develop allergies. The study also proved the “hygiene hypothesis”, a theory that states living in a too clean environment is harmful to your immune system. This prevents the bodies natural ability to fight infections and viruses from working properly.

Stay away from antibacterial soaps. Instead opt for natural made soaps. The Amish community has a large variety or there are shops that sell natural products. Of course wash your hands after using the bathroom, before eating or shaking hands with ill people. However don’t be a handwashing fanatic. That will do you no good at all. Our bodies are made to protect us when they are healthy. Let it do its job.

At the onset of a cold, start drinking ginger root tea, Ginger is a natural anti-inflammatory. Get a piece of ginger root, found in the produce section of most grocery stores. You know “Wally World” has it. Break off a piece, no need to peel it, boil in water for 20 minutes. Pour in a cup and drink as a tea. Add raw honey and lemon for taste and of course immune boosting power. You can use the same piece more than once. When it starts to look really white change it. Drink several cups a day when you have a cold.

I want to make it perfectly clear that this blog is related to the common cold virus, not the coronavirus. If you have not seen the video regarding on how the coronavirus spreads, please watch it. If you need the link inbox me and I will send it to you.

So let your body do its job and stay healthy out there !