The Common Cold

 

Unfortunately the common cold has been far too common in my life the last 6 years.  Working in clinics, hospitals, schools, moving, travel, having a child and not being scared of public places and transportation – our exposure has been great as well.   Seems like if we go a few months well we celebrate!  This has given me lots of opportunity to figure out get well strategies….  I used to get sinus infections almost everytime I caught a cold – luckily I’ve figured out how to prevent those and have only needed antibiotics a couple of times in those same 6 years.  

Here are my favorite and most beneficial (for me) strategies –

I use Mucinex  - it is guaifenesin that helps your body thin mucus to get it out of your body. It in combination with not taking any kind of decongestant,  I think it has been the #1 thing that has kept me from getting sinus infections.  

I gargle apple cider vinegar at the first sign of a sore throat – it can be cut with water with lemon juice and honey added.  My tolerance has gone up through the years and I can just gargle it straight. 

The neti-pot – last year my Maui mom introduced me to the neti-pot and I will never turn back.  It is good prevention, as well as for getting my sinus cavities drained out – I use saline most of the time and add eucalyptus oil or coconut oil 1-2x a day (both of with are anti-bacterial and fungal).

Hot showers – I take 1-2 warm showers a day.

Breathing Steam – putting water in a sauce pan and bringing to a boil, adding apple cider vinegar and eucalyptus oil drops. I put a towel over my head, close my eyes and take deep breaths.  Today I did this about 5 times and it made a huge difference in my sinuses and lungs.

Rest – I stink at this, but I really try to rest more than usual.