Best Ways to Treat a cold

If you have a cold, being dehydrated will make it ten times worse. Drink plenty of water throughout the day, this will help with headaches and replenish any fluids that you may have lost.

You can also drink water in different forms, tea is great for colds as it can be full of nutrients, is very hydrating, and when hot, can help to clear out any stuffed up sinuses. Add a little bit of honey, which is naturally soothing, and lemon, which is antibacterial, and you'll feel better in no time.

Give your body some time to heal itself. You might feel like taking initiative to fight the cold by boosting your immune system through exercise, but it’s best to keep it low key for a few days. Get enough sleep, too. Lack of sleep could increase your vulnerability to colds.

Honey is anti-inflammatory and is effective against sore throats. Honey is used in cough syrups all around the world because of its medicinal properties. Having a teaspoon of honey when your throat feels sore or thrice daily can help naturally treat cold. 

It’s a well-established fact that when you’re fighting a cold, it’s good to drink plenty of fluids. Water, tea, soup, and other beverages help keep your body hydrated, which is particularly helpful when tackling a fever. They can make it easier for you to breathe by loosening the congestion in your nasal passages and chest.

However, don’t consume any alcohol or caffeine because they can make you dehydrated. They can also keep you from sleeping and resting – which are essential for a quick recovery.

A humidifier can be your best friend to beat cold. A dry room can be very unpleasant when you have flu. If you don’t have a humidifier try to have steam in your room or take steam from a steamer. It is good for opening up the congested air passage and releases the sinus pressure. 

Vitamin C cannot prevent a cold, but it can shorten the cold’s duration. However, rather than increasing your Vitamin C intake once you have a cold, try to take the recommended dose regularly (90mg for men, 75mg for women) for best results.

Vitamin C does not cure a common cold, nothing does. But it reduces the cold’s severity. 

Drinking soup can be an effective home remedy to treat cold. Warm soup with a little more salt can help clear the nasal passageway. It has mild anti-inflammatory effects on the body and also relieves body pain and sore throat. The soup has a blend of vitamins and minerals that our body can benefit from. Drinking fluids is necessary when you have flu.

When you're battling an illness, your body needs all the rest it can get. And no, sitting in front of the TV doesn't count. Feel free to take a nap (or twelve) and have an early bedtime. You need real sleep to make sure you have enough energy to fight off your cold. Give your body the rest it needs to recharge and get rid of the infection. You will recover faster and be back to feeling great in no time.

If you feel congested, consume more fluids. It can be soup, tea, and warm water. Stay hydrated and don’t let your body run out of water. 

If you have trouble breathing use saline drops or steam your lungs. Take steam once or twice day because it's quite effective in treating flu.

Pain relievers (ibuprofen or acetaminophen), decongestants, antihistamines, and cough suppressants could help ease cold symptoms like coughing, runny nose, sneezing, headache, and congestion that can make it harder for you to get through the day or get a good night’s sleep.

OTC medicines or syrups can provide temporary relief while your body fights the cold. However, consult your pediatrician before administering any of those OTC medicines to a child.