It's that time of year...achoo!

When December comes around you start hearing the sneezing and coughing and sniffling noses, and you just know your turn is coming. My turn has come. I have been struggling to balance letting myself rest and recover with school and work. You can do all that you can to avoid the sneezes and splutters but sometimes it just isn't enough. Instead of giving you all some preventative measures to keep from getting sick which we have all heard a million and one times and still seem to get those nasty little bugs, I decided to talk about some cold comforting suggestions. I try hard to follow these when I get sick.

1. Over-the-counter pain reliever-- I find that not many "cough and cold" stuff works so I stick with the basics. Usually Tylenol (although I know in the US I don't think they're on the shelves anymore because of some scare, try something similar). Take in the morning before you get going, it will help you through your day and at least give you a running start. If you're worried about taking medicine so much, don't, these simple over the counter drugs won't hurt you. If you are really suffering, maybe the first couple days of your cold, take one at night too, to get a good nights sleep.

2. Hot tea with lemon and honey-- All through the day! Soothing to your throat and provides lots of liquids too! Breathing in the steam from your mug can also help clear your nose!

3. Water, water and more water-- Fill up on liquids!

4. Oranges and other citrus fruits-- I have half a grapefruit everyday for breakfast, whether I'm sick or not.

5. Soups, chicken especially-- Any soup is good and soothing, and I've heard chicken soup helps with anti-inflammatory.

6. Vicks-- Always good to rub on chest and back around your lungs. Sooo soothing and the smell, though very strong, can clear your nose in an instant.

7. Warm and cozy-- Always nice to have your special blanket that you can bring with you to the couch when watching TV. It's important to always keep warm, especially your fingers and toes!

8. Hot steamy showers-- The vapor and steam is good to moisten your skin, and sooth sore areas but it's also important to breath in the steam. Breathing in steam will clear your nose and relieve that pressure on your head.

9. Pile your pillows-- When you sleep have an extra pillow under your head, the elevation will also help with the pressure a stuffy nose puts on your head.

10. Exercise-- Surprising? Exercise actually helps your immune system. Don't go all out and tire yourself so much though. It's good to get moving, and it will help you feel better too. Sometimes acting like you don't have a cold and going around your normal day helps fight it too, keeping your body strong.

Well lovely readers, plenty of rest is also an important factor in the the getting well process, and it's time to get mine. Keep these things in mind when you start feeling the sniffles! Stay healthy!

xoxo
~M