15 Ways to Feel Better When You Have a Cold

A friend of mine joked that I have a weatherman in my head—every time it’s about to rain, I can feel it coming. My head gets stuffy, my face swells, and if I don’t nip it in the bud, it can turn into a full-fledged cold. Here are some things that I’ve found help either ward off some of my symptoms of sinusitis or help make the experience of a cold not quite so miserable (Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, and this isn’t medical advice. This is just my own personal experience. Please consult a doctor for any medical problems.):

1. Neti pot - aka jalaneti or “that weird, teapot-shaped thing.” I don’t remember when or how I discovered the neti, but I’m a big believer in its benefits. A neti pot is basically a small pot with a spout that allows you to irrigate your sinuses with warm salt water. Neti usually elicits very strong reactions from individuals who first see it used. Usually the response is something in the range of “gross!” or “whoa!” or a combination of both.

How it works: Add salt (preferably pure, non-iodine, pharmacy grade) to warm water and dissolve by stirring. Insert the spout in one nostril, pour, breathing out of your mouth throughout. Gravity will make the water come out your other nostril. Once empty, blow your nose and let excess water run out. Be sure to dry well. That’s the shortened description. The long description can be found in instructions that accompany the neti pot.

Benefits I’ve noticed: Moistened sinus passages, less gunk, less stuffiness, fewer allergy symptoms. I try to use the neti every morning as a preventative measure, especially during hayfever season or when we’re getting several bouts of rain, but sometimes I resort to using it when I’m just feeling under the weather. Yes, it is a bit gross, but so is feeling sick and having a face full of mucus.

We do sell several different neti pots in the store. The one I own is stainless steel, and I purchase the packets of salt. If you’re going to purchase a neti, I would recommend you get a stainless steel one since you can sterilize it. Other materials may be porous. However, some people simply prefer the ceramic ones.

2. Warm salt water gargles. Sometimes I’ll mix the salt water and put half in the neti and half in a cup to gargle. On a sore throat, warm salt water can be very soothing.

3. Chicken noodle soup. Did you know this was reportedly mentioned as a cold remedy in the Talmud? Since switching to a pescetarian diet, this is no longer in my cold remedy arsenal. As an alternative, I find a hot bowl of vegetable soup or a hot cup of tea works wonders.

4. Get on a sleep schedule. You’ve heard this one before, but it pays to follow it religiously. If you’re not already in a habit of sticking to a sleep schedule, there’s no time like the present to start. Make it realistic, say, in bed with the lights out by 11 p.m. and out of bed by 6 a.m. And do this 7 days a week. (I’ll be writing about developing good sleep habits soon, so stay tuned!)

5. Take a power nap. Normally I try to avoid napping as part of my overall sleep strategy, but when you’re feeling miserable, a short quality nap may be just the thing you need to get through the rest of the day. Several months ago I found a CD made particularly for napping. It has three segments to choose from—10 minutes, 20 minutes, or 30 minutes. At the end of a segment, progressively louder chimes wake you up. Check out Dr. Jeffrey Thompson’s The Ultimate Nap CD.

6. Humidify or dehumidify. Which I do depends on the season. In winter, the dry heat in the home can make my head stuffy. A good humidifier will moisten the air, which not only helps keep your nasal passages and moist, but also helps protect your wooden furniture and keep you from shocking the animals every time you reach down to pet them.

If you’re having a problem with moisture in your home, a dehumidifier may be helpful, especially if you suffer from mold allergies.

7. Buy the tissues with lotion. This is the time to splurge. The tissues that advertise the lotion in them truly are softer. If you’re blowing your nose frequently, you’ll appreciate the difference. Alternatively, you can purchase some very soft handkerchiefs.

8. Use petroleum jelly. Even if you did get the tissues with the lotion, your nose may need a little extra TLC. A thin coat of petroleum jelly at night or if you’re not going anywhere (otherwise, it looks a bit shiny and gross) may keep you from having a very sore nose and the post-cold peeling skin from frequent nose-blowing.

9. Get a warm, steamy shower. Besides just feeling good, this can help loosen mucus. Shut the door for this one. Breathe in and out through your nose, if possible.

10. Try eucalyptus oil. I first learned of this at a massage therapist’s office. I commented to her that after an hour of lying face down, I always had a stuffy nose. She dabbed some eucalyptus oil on a handkerchief and hung it next to my face. To my surprise, I didn’t have a stuffy face when I was finished with the massage session. Now I have my own little bottle of pure eucalyptus essential oil. If I’m having sinus congestion, sometimes I’ll take a handkerchief, dab some of the oil on it, and place it by my face as I go to sleep.

11. Try ecchinacea. The benefits of ecchinacea have been debated. My feelings on using this herb are that if taking it can make me feel better, then I’m all for it.

12. Take your vitamins and minerals. Zinc has been reported to shorten a cold and/or decrease the severity of its symptoms. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps with healing.

13. Take a sick day. That’s what they’re there for. Your body will thank you and so will your coworkers. Eat, sleep, watch Price is Right, eat, sleep, watch Judge Judy, eat, sleep. Lather, rinse, repeat.

14. Telecommute. If you can’t take a sick day, at least see if you can work at home for the day. I telecommute 100% of the time, and I find I get sick much less often than I did when I worked in a traditional office. I also find I can manage to work at home on days that I probably would have had to call in sick to a traditional office. Flexing your time, taking a nap as needed, working in your robe—all things that can make you feel better when sick.

15. Know your OTC meds. Know what you need from an over-the-counter medication, and choose the right one for your symptoms. An antihistamine is for allergy symptoms (sneezing, itchy eyes). A decongestant will not help allergies but may help the congestion caused by allergies. Many medications will have a “D” added to their name (example: Claritin-D) to signify their version that contains a decongestant. Be careful, however, as some of these OTC cold medicines can interact with some prescription drug medications, particularly those for hypertension and depression. If you’re not sure what you need, describe your symptoms for the pharmacist and ask for his/her recommendation.

Photo courtesy of Joe Shlabotnik.

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