When you’re sick, usually after common, acute conditions such as cold, flu, or GI upsets, there are certain things that you can do to feel better. You need to let the illness run its course, but you can at least make it a little bearable.
- Rest: Make sure you get adequate rest when you are recovering from an illness.It definitely helps you recover faster. Avoid making things hectic; relax at home and sleep early.
- Eat right: Eat a wholesome and nutritious diet. Whole cereals, legumes, fruits and vegetables provide you with all the essential nutrients and accelerate your recovery. Steer clear of all refined and packaged foods when on the mend. Stick to easily digestible foods such as – bananas, apples, rice, dry toast, and raisins. These soothe an upset stomach and alongside proffer you with adequate nutrients.
- Stay hydrated: You need to drink 2 to 3 litres of water per day; it helps flush out excess mucus and toxins as well as replaces fluids lost.
- Supplements: Talk to your health care provider and consider taking vitamin supplements especially vitamin C to boost your immune system.
- Gentle exercise: You can start with your exercise routine, but nothing rigorous; the endorphins released during a workout speed up recovery.
- Drink plenty of clear liquids: Drink lots of water, soups, juices, broth, and herbal teas. Steer clear of dehydrating beverages such as – aerated drinks, alcohol and caffeinated beverages.
- For a sore throat and nasal congestion: Mix salt and water and use as a gargle. Also, dried ginger powder, powdered turmeric and honey blended together and consumed several times through the day proffer immense relief. This mixture had 5 to 10 times daily helps deal with fever, nose block, and chest congestion effectively.
- To deal with pain related discomfort: Over-the-counter analgesics are great for allaying pain. You need to be very cautious when giving aspirin to children, given the life threatening side effects associated with it. Ginger is an excellent natural pain killer. Have ginger tea or ginger supplements; the gingerols present in the herb relieve pain very rapidly.
- Inhale steam: Steam inhalation provides with a lot of relief from headaches, nose blocks and sore throats. There are many methods for inhaling steam. You can take a hot shower, use a vaporizer, or hold your head over a bowl of boiling hot water. Steam flushes out mucus from the airways and moistens the nasal passage. Also, adding a few drops of eucalyptus essential oil to the hot water provides greater relief. Eucalyptus also helps deal with inflammation and bacterial infection.
- Garlic: Garlic is the most potent natural remedy for a host of illnesses. If you are recovering from stomach infections, respiratory troubles or exhaustion, incorporate garlic in your daily routine. Have 1 to 2 flakes of raw garlic for good results.
- Cinnamon: Add a pinch of powdered cinnamon to a glass of warm water and consume first thing in the morning. Cinnamon is a natural tonic which successfully battles exhaustion and weariness.
- Wash your hands: With soap and water after you blow your nose, after sneezing, after going to the loo, before eating, and before handling food; this expedites recovery and prevents relapses.