Kick a Cold Faster with These Simple Tips

It sometimes seems inevitable: you've hit a good groove with your workout routine, work is going really well, and life in general is right on track. Then suddenly you wake up with a scratchy throat, you're inexplicably tired, oh, no!

Nothing throws a wrench in productivity faster than an unexpected illness. When you feel a cold coming on, the best plan is to attack it early with everything you've got! A great way to shorten the duration of that cold is to start as soon as you begin feeling the symptoms.

Follow these simple steps, and you'll be back to your healthy and productive self faster than you can say "sick day!"

How to Get Over a Cold Faster

• Start with natural immune-system-boosting supplements.
  Some studies have shown that supplementing with zinc or zinc lozenges can help reduce the length of time you have a cold. The same goes for Sambucol (elderberry extract), which can be found at natural health food stores. The immune system needs as much support as it can get from the very beginning, and adding these nutrients to your attack plan can really help.
• Lower your stress.
  High stress levels in the body mean our immune systems have to work extra hard when an invading virus is on the loose. This means regularly practicing ways to lower your stress, which is especially important when you feel a cold coming on.
• Pack in as many nutrient-dense foods as you can.
  It's no surprise that increasing the intake of healthy foods has been shown to reduce the length and severity of a cold. Although a salad doesn't sound very appealing when you're under the weather, a homemade brothy soup (with lots of vegetables) goes a long way. You can pack in even more cold-reducing nutrients by making your own bone broth. Starting with this base for your soup will increase the number of minerals, electrolytes, and easy-to-absorb nutrients to help you get better faster.
• Call in sick sooner rather than later.
  Even if you just feel a little wiped out, listening to your body and calling in sick to rest up is one of the best ways to prevent a cold from taking over. Those first few days are vital for your immune system, and getting plenty of rest and letting it do its job will help immensely. If you often find that your cold lasts longer than a week or two, it could partially be because you aren't resting up early.
• Add honey to your tea.
  Honey has been found to be helpful in reducing a cough, which is important when you're trying to rest up. Add a teaspoon of honey to a hot cup of echinacea tea. The warm water will soothe your throat (and help you stay hydrated), the honey will help suppress your cough, and the echinacea may reduce the longevity of symptoms. Take it even further with the alkalizing effects of True Lemon, and you'll be as good as new in no time!