When all is said and done, who doesn’t love a good night’s sleep?

If you ask the sleep researcher Matthew Walker about it, he’ll happily tell you that “sleep is your superpower,” and that it’s not only something that’s fundamentally important for your health, but that being better rested also boosts mental clarity, feelings of wellbeing, and productivity across a broad variety of different domains.

But, for a variety of different reasons, huge numbers of people from all around the world simply don’t get enough sleep each night — or end up getting disrupted, unrestful sleep.

Causes of poor sleep can range from health conditions to lifestyle factors, so there’s no one size fits all approach for correcting sleep issues — but there are certainly tips and principles that are very likely to help.

Here are some tips for sleeping better every night.

Begin the process of winding down for bed a couple of hours before you actually want to fall asleep

One simple and straightforward reason why many people don’t sleep nearly as much, or as well as they should, is because they just don’t “wind down” properly each night and don’t allow themselves enough time in bed.

The advice from experts is that every adult should aim for 8 hours of sleep a night. So if you get into bed 7 hours before you need to wake up, and then take half an hour to fall asleep, and maybe lose another half an hour due to waking up a few times in the night, you’re obviously not going to be rested enough.

At the same time, if you go straight from watching TV in a brightly illuminated room, to trying to sleep, you’ll naturally take much longer to doze off.

Begin winding down for bed a couple of hours before you aim to fall asleep. Have a warm bath, turn down the lights, and do some reading in bed.

Make your bed and bedroom as comfortable as you can

If you don’t have a comfortable bed or mattress that helps you to relax and fall asleep, you should absolutely invest in one — because simply being comfortable can have a major impact on your sleep quality.

Your bedroom should be an environment that helps to aid restful sleep, instead of getting in the way of it. So, make sure it’s dust-free, ensure your bed is comfortable, keep the space well-ventilated, and keep the temperature of the room on the cooler side.

Manage your stress levels during the day to encourage better sleep

Getting into bed earlier isn’t likely to do you much good if your heart is racing and you have to get up every ten minutes to use the bathroom.

If you find yourself in this situation, or if your quality of sleep is just poor as a whole, it might be the case that your stress levels are just too high.

Engaging in stress management practises during the day, ranging from meditation and yoga, to eating nutritious whole plant foods, may help you to sleep significantly better.

Home health care worker and an elderly couple

It’s easy to assume that injuries and unexpected illnesses only happen to other people. The truth is that anyone can be involved in an accident or find themselves trying to cope with a diagnosis that comes out of the blue. If you are looking to bounce back and speed up your recovery after illness or injury, here are some tips that may come in handy. 

Try to avoid setting time frames

Many of us work to schedules, and we find it difficult to go about our daily lives without looking at clocks, following routines and organizing our time based on deadlines. When your body and mind are healing, it’s crucial to try to avoid setting time frames. Give yourself time to recover and go through the necessary restorative processes and don’t put too much pressure on yourself. If you do have targets in mind, make sure they are realistic. If you try to do too much, too soon, you could do more harm than good. 

Talk about how you feel

Injuries, accidents and illnesses can take their toll on mental, as well as physical health. When you feel able, try to talk about how you feel. Open up to people you trust or seek advice from a therapist or a counselor if you feel more comfortable talking to a stranger than a friend or family member. It can be incredibly difficult to get your head around a sudden accident or an illness that has impacted how you feel about the future. It is particularly hard to deal with incidents that were not your fault, or injuries or sickness caused by negligence on the behalf of others. Seek advice from medical malpractice attorneys or personal injury lawyers if you feel that other people were to blame for your accident or health issues. If you’ve experienced a slip and fall accident in tacoma, then you need to find a lawyer that can help you get compensation for the accident.  Legal experts will examine your case and advise you whether or not you have a viable claim. If your claim is approved, you could be eligible for compensation. 

Follow advice from medical professionals

Medical professionals study and train for years to enable them to provide advice and administer treatments to make people better. If you are recovering in the hospital or you’re at home following a recovery program, make sure you listen to the advice of trained, experienced doctors, nurses and therapists. It’s crucial to understand that pushing yourself can be detrimental. Communicate with your care team, ask as many questions as you like and don’t hesitate to raise concerns or queries. 

Take each day as it comes

Most people who are trying to get back on their feet after illness or injury will experience ups and downs. The recovery process can be a roller coaster ride, and it’s highly likely that you will go through a whole range of emotions. Some days you may feel more energetic and positive than others. Try to take each day as it comes, be patient and listen to your body. If you need to rest, take some time out. If you suffer setbacks, try to stay positive and focus on how far you’ve already come. Understand that it is completely natural to have good and bad days. 

Embrace self-care

Looking after yourself is key when you’ve been ill or you’ve sustained an injury. Self-care is all about taking good care of your body and mind. Simple things like making sure you get enough rest, eating well and trying to exercise regularly can make a huge difference. Seek advice from your doctors if you’re eager to start exercising again after an injury or you need help with improving nutrition. Your care team can also offer advice if you’re struggling to sleep due to pain or anxiety. It can be helpful to try to get into a routine in the evenings so that your body can prepare for sleep. Set a bedtime and stick to it. If you go to bed at 11 pm every night, for example, your body clock will adjust, and you should find that you start to feel tired as your bedtime approaches. It’s also beneficial to make sure that your bedroom is a comfortable, serene space. Invest in a comfortable mattress, which provides support for your body, block out light and choose soothing colors and soft lighting. 

Try to minimize stress

Stress impacts mental health, but it can also contribute to physical symptoms, including sleep troubles, changes in your weight and appetite, aches and pains, tooth grinding and high blood pressure. Try to minimize stress. Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need a hand around the house, speak to your boss if you’re worried about work, and seek advice if you have concerns about money or lost income. Talk to friends or family members if you have things on your mind or see a therapist. It can also be beneficial to devote time to your hobbies and interests. Creative pursuits, for example, often enable people to express themselves in a constructive and cathartic way, and they can also be fun. You could also practise breathing exercises, try meditating or take time out to read or listen to music to help you to relax. Spending time outdoors in the fresh air can also help you to feel calmer and it can also be uplifting and invigorating. If self-help techniques don’t work, and your stress levels are rising, talk to your doctor. 

Many of us read newspaper headlines about accidents and unexpected injuries, and we assume that stories like that will never involve us. The reality is that anyone could find themselves in a situation where they are trying to bounce back from illness or injury. If you are on the road to recovery, it’s hugely beneficial to try to look after your body and mind as best you can. Follow expert advice, give yourself time to heal, avoid putting pressure on yourself and talk about how you feel. Seek advice if you think you may be eligible for compensation, surround yourself with positive people and try to minimize stress. Embrace self-care and understand that it’s normal to have good and bad days. 

When a new year starts, many people have health or fitness goals and jump right in on the first day. Unfortunately, this often leads to disappointment and giving up since they don’t take the time to make sure they’re doing it right. Those who are ready to set realistic goals and make sure they have the skills and information to achieve them will want to use the following information. Learn first, then make one change at a time to start achieving goals.

Check Out Vitamins and Supplements

There are various vitamins and supplements available today that can help people make sure they’re getting the right nutrients to be as healthy as possible. Those ready to get started may want to begin by learning about BiOptimizers and how they can help. It is generally a good idea to speak with a doctor before taking any supplements or vitamins to make sure they are safe to use.

Learn What Foods to Eat More Frequently

Some foods should be eaten more frequently. Instead of focusing on what shouldn’t be eaten, focus on eating healthier foods more often. Someone who fills up on healthy foods during the day is going to find it’s easier to say no to a slice of cake or another treat. Hungry during the day? Have ready-to-go snacks of superfoods to munch on so there’s a smaller chance of reaching for a bag of chips or candy bar.

Know What to Eat Before and After Exercise

Eating before exercise can help the body perform better, but eating the wrong foods can make the person feel sick or tired faster. There are plenty of foods to choose from before exercising to get better results. Once the fitness session is over, eating the right foods can help the body recover faster and grow stronger, leading to weight loss, strength increases, and an improvement in overall health.

Drink More Water

Most people don’t drink enough water throughout the day. It’s important to make sure the body is well hydrated so it can use the nutrients from food eaten during the day. There is no set amount that each person should drink, though those starting out may want to aim for half a gallon per day. This can be adjusted as needed, as many people will end up drinking a little bit more during the day to stay hydrated.

Choose the Right Workouts

Is it better to do cardio or strength training? This is a loaded question, as both are effective ways to exercise and can have different impacts on health. In general, it’s advised to do both, though not necessarily on the same day. It is possible to focus more on one or the other depending on each individual’s goals.

Get More Sleep

Most people don’t get enough sleep, which can impact their health. Health experts recommend that adults get at least seven hours of sleep at night, but this does vary

from person to person. Each individual will want to start with getting at least seven hours of sleep and then make adjustments as needed to feel rested and ready for the day after waking up.

Reaching health and fitness goals doesn’t need to be hard, but it does require a bit of knowledge. If you’re ready to tackle the goals you’ve set for yourself, use the information here to get started. With the right info and direction, you’ll find it’s much easier to stick with your plan and reach those goals.

If you are a pregnant woman (or are trying to be), you should be aware of the dangers of drug use. Not only are there physical risks to the baby, but you may also be putting yourself in legal jeopardy. Many drugs can interfere with your pregnancy and cause harm to the fetus or newborn child. In this blog post, we will go over some of the main risks associated with drug use during and after pregnancy as well as how to find treatment if you are struggling to stop using drugs.

The Dangers of Drug Use While Pregnant

One of the main dangers associated with drug use during pregnancy is preterm labor. This means you are more likely to give birth prematurely if you abuse drugs while pregnant. Premature babies often have health problems, developmental delays, or even death in some cases. Drug exposure can also lead to miscarriage and stillbirths as well as congenital defects in the baby.

Unfortunately, some women are unaware of their pregnancy until weeks after conception. If you were using drugs prior to becoming pregnant or during your early stages of pregnancy and stop once you know you are expecting, it is still possible for drug use to harm your developing child.

The Dangers of Drug Use After Pregnancy

It is also important to be aware of the dangers associated with drug use after giving birth. Postpartum depression is a serious condition that can occur in women who have given birth. It is often treated with medication, but some women turn to drugs or alcohol as a way to cope. This puts the mother and baby at risk.

Not only can drug use after pregnancy harm your child, but it could also land you in legal trouble if you are caught with illegal substances. The same is true for prescription medications if you do not have a valid prescription. If authorities find out about your drug activities while pregnant or postpartum, they may be able to press charges against you for child endangerment or drug possession.

Drugs and Alcohol Are Not the Only Risks Associated with Pregnancy While Using Drugs

Even if you manage to avoid legal trouble, there are still many risks associated with having a baby while on drugs. If you abuse opiates, for example, your child can be born addicted as well. This means they will go through withdrawal after they are born. This can be very traumatic for the baby and could lead to other health problems as well.

If you plan on breastfeeding, also keep in mind that drugs can pass through your milk to the baby. This means even if you were not using while pregnant, you could still expose your child to harmful substances.

Drugs should never be used during pregnancy or postpartum unless you have a doctor’s prescription or are under supervision by medical professionals. However, if you are struggling to quit taking drugs or drinking alcohol and anticipating pregnancy, there are ways to help yourself.

Checking Yourself Into Rehab

Rehab is a residential treatment facility that allows people struggling with addiction to live at the facility for an extended period of time. The length of stay can vary depending on how much help you need and your insurance coverage, but most individuals are able to check themselves into rehab once they feel ready to stop using substances.

While in rehab, professionals will help you go through drug detox as well as work with your doctors to manage any withdrawal symptoms. However, the main focus of rehab is not just getting sober but also learning how to live a life free from addiction altogether. Rehab will teach you healthy coping mechanisms so that you can learn how to deal with stress and other challenges without resorting back to drugs or alcohol.

Tips for Finding the Right Treatment Facility

There are many rehab facilities across the United States. Each one will have different options for treatment and programs, so it is important to find a facility that meets your needs. Here are some tips on how you can begin researching rehabilitation centers:

Speak to Health Care Professionals

If you are pregnant or have a child and are struggling with addiction, it is important to speak to your health care professionals. They may be able to refer you to a rehab center that specializes in helping people with addictions who are soon-to-be or new parents.

If you are not yet pregnant, you can have healthcare professionals help you find the right treatment options for you based on the severity of your condition and the type of drugs you are using.

Look Online

There are many online resources that can help you find the right rehab facility for you and your family. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) website has a Treatment Facility Locator that can help you find local treatment centers.

While looking online, be sure to read reviews and testimonials from past patients. You can also look on social media for rehab facilities in your area that you would like to learn more about so that you can contact them directly if necessary.

If you are looking for a useful directory for finding a rehab near you, click here: https://www.rehab.com/

Figure Out Your Budget

Not all rehab facilities are created equally, so you will need to make sure that the facility is affordable for your budget. Some insurance plans may cover treatment at certain centers, while others require full payment upfront. Further, if you require additional amenities or prefer holistic rehabilitation treatments, you may have to check into a luxury rehab or a facility that offers those specific things. These facilities typically cost more than traditional ones because they offer more amenities and services, but they may also supplement your healing process in a positive way.

Picking the Right Treatment Facility for You

Once you have considered all of these factors, you should be well on your way to finding a rehab center that is right for you and your family. Although it may seem overwhelming at first, there are many professionals who can help guide you along the way.

Rehab can be a great way to get the help you need if you are struggling with drug use during or after pregnancy. It is important to remember that there is no shame in seeking assistance and that addiction is a disease that can be treated. If you have any further questions about rehab or the risks of drug use during pregnancy, please do not hesitate to find a rehab center near you and speak with a professional.

Choosing to get help from home health care agencies in Philadelphia PA (or anywhere closer to you) for yourself or a loved one is a big decision that can come with many emotions, and although accepting when it’s time to get a bit of extra help can be very difficult, it really is nothing to be ashamed of or embarrassed about. Aging can happen differently in every person making it difficult to know when it’s time to start looking into at-home care.

Some people can live independently well into their 80’s or 90’s, while others may need care in their 50’s or 60’s. Additionally, some people have a slow health decline, whereas others may decline rapidly. 

It’s always best to look into senior home care in Mississauga, or whatever city you or your loved one may live in, sooner than you think you may need it so you aren’t rushed to make a decision should your loved one’s health start to decline rapidly. Home care can be vital in ensuring the health and safety of yourself for your loved one. 

Here are a few common signs that may indicate that it’s time to start considering senior home care.

Noticeable Differences in Personality

Mood swings, loss of interest in hobbies, and disconnecting from friends and family can all be indications that it’s time to start senior care Brooklyn. When a loved one suddenly isn’t acting like themselves, it can signify that there is an underlying problem that needs care and attention.  

Significant Weight Loss or Weight Gain

Rapid weight loss or weight gain can be clear signs that someone’s health is in decline. It is common for people to either forget that they already ate and then eat again or forget to eat entirely. It can also become more difficult to digest food with age, making it uncomfortable to eat. This can cause seniors to stop eating entirely and lose unhealthy amounts of weight. 

Falling

Even minor falls can be extremely dangerous for seniors as their bodies cannot repair themselves the way they used to. If you or a loved one is starting to find it difficult to balance when walking or standing, and you feel they could benefit from some senior safety input this can be a sign that it is time to get some additional help. It’s best to get help before falls start to stay as safe as possible.

Reducing hazards in the home, such as items that can easily be tripped over or installing railings in places like the shower, can help decrease the risk of a fall. Remember that if someone falls once, they are very likely to fall again. 

Memory Troubles

Memory lapses can become extremely dangerous with age. Forgetting to turn off the stove, blow out candles, take medication, or eat can all pose serious threats to seniors living alone. Having a home health care worker around to make sure that their forgetfulness does not put them in harm’s way is extremely important. 

Loss of Personal Hygiene

If you or a loved one is starting to shower less, do laundry, wash dishes, or clean the house, having some extra help could be beneficial. Home care workers can help with light housekeeping, bathing, and grooming. They can also just be there to remind you to do these things, depending on how capable you or your loved one are. 

Learning how to clean up your life can seem like a massive undertaking. But now we are in a new year, this is the perfect time to start organizing the junk dotted throughout our lives. You don’t need to fix everything right away but it’s a good opportunity to start getting rid of physical, mental, and emotional issues. What are some of the things to consider? 

Addressing Any Addictive Behavior 

While you may not consider yourself to be addicted to anything that warrants a visit to one of the many rehab centers out there, if you have any addictive behaviors that are detrimental to your life, now is the perfect opportunity to look at them. For example, something like sugar is hidden in so many different foods that you could benefit from simplifying your diet. While so many people have different approaches to dieting because they want to lose weight or be healthier, there is no hard and fast rule. If anything, the one main rule is to focus on whole foods that are not processed. 

Reducing Stress

Everybody wants to learn to feel less stressful but you have got to look at the root causes of your stress and negative emotions. Stress is such a big part of mental health, which is why we need to prioritize looking at those triggers that will make us feel worse in the long run. Additionally, think about the physiological aspects of how you get stressed. A very good example is when you get stressed, you start to breathe through your chest. Breathing through your nose into your diaphragm is a very simple thing but it actually reduces the fight-or-flight and improves the parasympathetic nervous system. 

Redefine and Refine Your Decision Making

We all make little decisions every single day that can have a detrimental effect on our well-being. Additionally, we have to make so many decisions that we can run the risk of decision fatigue. Think about making life simpler and easier for yourself so you can streamline your decision-making. You don’t have to make decisions about every single thing, and, in fact, you can make life easier by limiting your decision-making, which you can achieve by having a more minimalist approach to life. You can do this by decluttering in a physical sense as well as in an emotional sense by looking at the relationships in your life and if they benefit you. 

Do Some More Detoxing

While detoxifying is one of those buzzwords that has almost lost its meaning because it’s been used so much, exercise is one of the best ways to clean up your health and get rid of any toxins from your body. While your body is pretty adapted to getting rid of toxins, anybody can benefit by speeding up the process. If you are not exercising on a regular basis or you are not breaking a sweat, think about having a steamy shower or visiting a sauna. 

There are so many ways that we can clean up our lives. These can be the first stages to improving your life in the long run and benefiting your health.

If you exercise regularly, eventually your muscles will get sore. It’s a sign that you’ve pushed them to the point they need to repair and recover. 

There’s nothing wrong with muscle soreness, but it can get a little frustrating, particularly when it’s painful or getting in the way of living your life. 

In this post, we take a look at some of the ways to relieve sore muscles. Check them out below. 

Stretch Gently

When muscles are sore, you don’t want to push them too hard. Remember, they are in a weakened state and require time for rest and repair. 

Try stretching them gently in either a yin yoga class or just following specific stretches online. Focus on opening up the muscle and reducing tightness. Use stretching as a way to improve blood flow and keep the tissue healthy. 

Use Ice

Ice is another great tool you can use to reduce soreness. It turns out that reducing heat in parts of the body soothes inflammation which, in turn, reduces pain. 

Just be careful not to apply too much ice as it can sometimes interfere with the adaptation process. 

Use A Patch

If you go to your local medical store, you’ll find a variety of patches, all claiming to offer relief for sore muscles. Among these, CBD patches are most effective. They actually adjust the regulation of the nerves responsible for causing pain, leading to rapid and effective relief. 

Take A Warm Bath

Just like applying ice, taking a warm bath or shower can also improve blood flow to your muscles. The warmth encourages the peripheral blood vessels to open up and allow more blood to travel around. 

Allow Yourself More Rest

Waiting 48 hours between gym sessions may not provide adequate rest for your muscles. In many cases, you’ll need longer than this. 

Don’t be afraid to wait 96 hours before training a muscle group again. If you’ve really worked the fibers, it may take them this long to recover from the exertion. Some athletes only train body parts once per week because of the intensity of their workouts. 

Use Good Technique

You may have sore muscles because you’re using the wrong technique. If you try to jerk the weights or move them in a nonstandard way, then you will put yourself at increased risk of soreness and injury. 

Try using good form. Don’t use improper techniques. If you’re not sure what you should be doing, ask an instructor to guide you. 

Stay Within Your Limits

Don’t try to push yourself extremely hard each time you hit the gym. Instead, focus on staying within your limits. It’s okay to have one break-out session per week. But if you try to go for more than that, you’ll exhaust your body and it won’t be able to adapt (particularly if you are like most people). 

Staying within your limits means being kind to yourself. Remember, you have a lifetime during which to train your muscles and get fit. It doesn’t all have to happen overnight. 

When it comes to health, everyone should be taking good care of themselves. Still, this gets even more important when we talk about getting older. As women, we generally don’t like to think about it, but changing our habits can make us age really well… or it can just as likely cause us to age poorly. Unfortunately, it’s true. Bad health habits can make us look much older than we actually are. Not only that, but they can also deteriorate our quality of life, too. If you want to stay healthy and fit at all stages of your life, then here are some tips to help you take better care of yourself today.

Watch What You’re Eating and Drinking

Maintaining a healthy and balanced diet is one of the best things you can do for your body. For instance, your nutrients have to be distributed in proportion to each other. This means that carbohydrates should account for 55-60% of your total intake per day, fats should make up 25-30%, and proteins should be 12-15%. Also, don’t forget to hydrate, as many of us are chronically dehydrated and don’t even know it. You’ll want to drink between one to two liters of water per day. You can hydrate yourself with soups, tea, or fruit juice. In turn, your body will feel better, and you can ward off illness and disease much easier, too.

Engage in Regular Exercise

If you don’t ever engage in routine exercise, then now is the time to start doing it. If you have a sedentary lifestyle, it can be a major risk factor for a variety of different diseases. These can range from hypertension (high blood pressure) and diabetes, to the more dangerous ones, such as heart disease and even cancer. However, you can take steps to prevent this by staying active and doing daily exercise, whether it’s running, jogging, or playing a sport. It’s up to you to decide how you want to get your recommended 150 minutes of fitness in!

Keep Your Medicine Organized

As you get older, it’s common to develop diseases like diabetes or hypertension, but it doesn’t mean that they’re inevitable. There are ways you can try to avoid them, like having a healthy diet and staying active. Even so, though, you can develop them for other reasons, such as genetics. If you have multiple conditions to manage, then you need to keep your meds organized and up to date. You don’t have any excuses for not taking your meds! Even better, some services offer a discount prescriptions card if it’s financially difficult for you to afford them.

Stop Smoking 

You probably know this already, but smoking increases the risk not only of lung cancer, but it can also lead to a host of other diseases. These can include heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes, and an elevated risk of a stroke. If you have been smoking for years, stopping can be tough – but it’s also incredibly important. Yes, smoking affects you directly, but it also affects the people around you. One of the main risks is due to secondhand smoke, but nobody likes to witness someone they care about getting sick. By quitting, however, your lung capacity can greatly improve and put you back on the path to better health.

Do Your Health Checkups

Even if going to the doctor is not one of the most pleasurable things ever, it’s still very necessary for your wellbeing. At your appointment, your healthcare provider can find any number of possible diseases before you even start to show symptoms. If they diagnose you early, then you have a better outcome in the long run, especially since some diseases only get worse over time. Preventive health care has been making its way in the last few years, and this is not only about going to the physician regularly. Preventive health care is also getting educated on possible risk factors, and if you can change them, how to do it. 

In the case of us women, there are some health checkups that it’s just better not to miss. For instance, we generally have a higher risk of developing breast cancer, so you can never be too sure. In short, try to take good care of yourself. Maybe you don’t even consider yourself mature – and that’s perfectly fine! Even if you’re young at heart, it’s better to develop these habits now. That way, if you ever do need to take charge of your health, you already have a good foundation of healthy habits to build upon.

Getting a cold is one of the most irritating and frustrating things that can happen, yet it’s something that most of us experience at least once a year. When your nose is stuffy, your head is foggy, and your throat is scratchy, it can feel like you’re a lost cause. No amount of paracetamol, ibuprofen, and VapoRub seems to save you from the dreaded effects of the common virus.

You’re often laid in bed, trying to clear your nose, reminiscing about the days when you could breathe with ease. At this point, you’re desperate and ready to try any remedy at your disposal. Anyone in a nursing job, in Guernsey or otherwise, will tell you that colds are among the most common complaints that they receive. However, there is no immediate cure for the common virus. Despite this, the following natural remedies are thought to be extremely effective in fighting off a cold.

Garlic

Upon noticing your first sniffle, you should reach for the garlic as this particular plant assists you in the building of your immune system. Garlic is a natural antibiotic, meaning that it’s capable of inhibiting or killing harmful bacteria in your body. You can consume garlic in the form of a tablet or simply add it to your food. Ultimately, garlic will put your body in good stead to fight off any viruses.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is a vital ascorbic acid that assists the healing of wounds, maintains healthy bones, cartilage, blood vessels, and skin, and protects your cells to keep them healthy. You can consume vitamin C in a variety of fruits and vegetables such as potatoes, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, blackcurrants, strawberries, peppers, and citrus fruits and juices. However, you can also buy vitamin C tablets and consume it in this way.

Grapefruit Seed Extract

Mixing around 10-20 drops of grapefruit seed extract in orange juice and quickly drinking this is another method of aiding a cold. This is due to the high levels of vitamin C in the grapefruit and orange juice alike. As previously mentioned, this keeps your cells healthy and protects them from potential threats.

Elderberry Juice

Elderberry juice or extract contains antioxidant flavonoids that shield your cell walls from foreign substances. As a result, it’s an effective defence against colds and fevers.

Apple Cider Vinegar

You’ve probably heard enough about the seemingly endless benefits of apple cider vinegar but, the truth is, it’s actually highly effective in fighting off colds. Not only does it soothe your sore throat, but it can play a huge role in the rebuilding of your immune system. This is due to various helpful proteins, enzymes, and friendly bacteria that are enhanced during the fermenting process.

Eucalyptus Oil

One of the most irritating symptoms of a cold is the constant congestion and this is where eucalyptus oil comes in. Placing eucalyptus oil in a humidifier is a great way of relieving your congestion as you try to sleep. However, this particular oil can affect blood sugar levels and shouldn’t be inhaled by people to who this could be detrimental.

Honey

Honey, especially New Zealand Manuka honey, is good for colds due to its high level of antioxidants and its antifungal and antibacterial properties. As a result, sore throats and coughs are often soothed through honey consumption.

Ginger

Ginger contains gingerol, which has powerful medicinal properties to treat colds, coughs, sore throats, and even nausea. However, people with bleeding disorders, gallstones, and those taking blood-thinning medication should consult their doctor ahead of consuming ginger. Additionally, it should be avoided two weeks prior or subsequent to surgery.