The common cold is just that – common. However, that doesn’t mean you have to get it or don’t do what you can to prevent it. Read on for tips to help keep yourself healthy throughout the cold season.
Winter will soon be upon us. Then not soon after that, you will hear people talking with each other about how so-and-so has a head cold and is feeling so miserable. Then people start getting nervous about the sickness spreading to them. Nobody likes feeling under the weather regardless if it’s just a runny nose, the common cold, or a head cold.
Due to the pandemic that swept over us, more and more people are seriously interested in knowing how they can keep healthy when the winter season creeps its way in with the promise of cold wintery nights. There is good news, first of all, is the fact that when the germs and viruses do start making their way, not everyone will be affected. The major reason for this is that viruses and bacteria have a hard time infecting individuals who keep themselves healthy. This simply means there are things you can do to help reduce the risk of ending up with a head cold this year.
Just in case you live in an area where you never heard of the head cold and perhaps call it something different. Some people call it head congestion or the common cold. It’s when you get a sore throat making it feel thick and slimy and painful, most commonly combined with a stuffed-up nose. You end up sniffling and snorting, finding it hard to breathe through your stuffy nose. Even though it can be treated at home, you still feel miserable. Your head feels all stuffy and your eyes get droopy, you sound like you’re talking through a giant tube. You sneeze uncontrollably what seems like 15 times in a row. You go through 20 lbs of tissue wiping your nose until it gets red and sore.
But yeah, it’s just a mild sickness you can easily treat at home. Meanwhile, you’re sitting curled up in the corner with blankets around you for a couple of hours with the chills, then you spend some time feeling so warm you could cook an egg on your forehead. Someone looks at you and lets you know how horrible you look and asks how you are feeling. To which you calmly respond, “oh it’s nothing, just a bit of a cold.” So there you go, that pretty much sums up what a head cold is.
Practicing good healthy habits daily can help reduce the risk of getting a head cold. Here are some tips for guarding against it this winter season:
*Note – we are not medical professionals. If you or your child develop a fever or you are concerned about the severity of your symptoms or those of your child you should see a doctor or medical professional.
Ways to take C.A.R.E. against HEAD COLDS
C = Clean & Disinfect Regularly/Often
Clean your hands often with soap and water to help protect yourself from germs. Wash them for 20 seconds
Clean with a disinfecting solution or disinfecting wipes all frequently touched surfaces and items like doorknobs, light switches, and electronic devices such as laptops, tablets, phones, and remotes. Other commonly touched places are table tops, taps, and chair backs.
A = Avoid Spreading Germs
Avoid touching your eyes, mouth, and nose with your hands.
Avoid, as much as possible, exchanging items hand-to-hand with people. Wash or sanitize your hands as soon as you can when this type of exchange is unavoidable.
Avoid close contact with people that have a cold or are sick. Wearing a mask if you have to be close to people who don’t live in your home can also help prevent spreading your cold to others.
R = Rest, Recharge & Rehydrate
Rest and relax as often as your body needs. Make sure you are getting good quality sleep each night. Take naps if you need to. If you are working out in the cold make sure you rest when you need to. Being cold can cause you to stiffen up so remember to relax.
Recharge your body both mentally and physically. Stay physically healthy by being active and doing stretches to keep yourself loose and limber. Also, look after your mental wellness with stress-reducing breathing and fun activities so you don’t get overwhelmed with anxiety.
Rehydrate as much and as often as possible, with hot tea or hot chocolate, water, and/or juice with lots of vitamin C. Your body needs lots of fluids to help keep your immune system working at its best. Also, fruit juices with Vitamin C help to build up your immune system.
E = Eat Smart and Keep Your Energy up
Eat healthy foods. Try not to consume alot of snacks, cookies, and treats all the time. You want to try not to have too many sugary foods, true it does give you a burst of energy however, you can also end up with a sugar crash and feel really sluggish.
Energy via healthy foods combined with staying active will help give your body the energy it needs to stay warm and healthy out in the cold.
Also, remember your coat, scarf, and gloves on those cold days to help hold that warm energy in. Don’t forget to cover your head. Bundling up when it’s cold keeps you warm and healthy and a healthy body is less likely to catch that nasty, miserable, head cold.
What if you do get SICK?
If you have the unfortunate luck of getting sick, you first want to make sure you have lots of tissues on hand. Also, make sure you cover your cough so as not to spread the germs. Use disinfecting wipes as well. Now to help your cold go away as fast as possible, try these things.
- Make sure you’re nice and comfy and get all the rest you can.
- Drink lots and lots of fluids to keep yourself from getting dehydrated.
- Try and keep moisture in the air by boiling water or using a vaporizer.
- Have some lozenges (candy-like tablets for soothing sore throat) handy to ease your sore throat.
- Gargle a few times a day with hot water and salt to help loosen phlegm and discourage infection from setting in.
If your nose gets really stuffy, boil some water and put it in a bowl. Put a towel over your head, lean over the bowl, and try to breathe in with your nose if you can. It will help loosen up your sinuses. Be prepared to blow your nose alot afterward. A little menthol or mint oil in the water may be beneficial as well.
If your throat is really sore and you’re having a hard time drinking water or juice. Try warm water with a little lemon and honey to sip slowly. Also, hot broth or a cup of soup is good if you’re having trouble eating and/or swallowing.
How can I prevent my child from catching a COLD?
Oh dear, as adults getting sick sucks, however, we know we will get over it. When a child gets sick, they just feel miserable! Children tend to get super down in the dumps, they will lay there with the saddest look on their faces. When you pick them up, they are as limp as a wet towel. It can be heartbreaking as a parent so naturally, you want to know the best way to keep them from getting sick in the first place.
Take the time to teach them how to properly wash their hands for 20 seconds. Instruct them to try their best to avoid being in contact with others who have a cold. This is a tough one because children love to run, play tag, hug, and generally be hands-on with everyone and everything in their world. However, if you take the time to explain what germs are and how they can spread, for the most part, they will do their best. So with the practice of washing hands, you can also introduce wiping off their toys with a disinfectant wipe, and suggest other areas that hands touch, like door knobs and electronics.
If your little one shows signs of getting the sniffles, remind them how you should wash your hands often especially if you cough or sneeze, or even blow your nose. Make sure to tell them if they need to cough or sneeze, use a tissue. If there is no tissue handy then into their elbow. But most importantly, not in your hands, nor should you wipe your nose with your hands. However, if you forget (children tend to) make sure to go and wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds as soon as you can and avoid touching things as much as possible until you do.
The first sign of a cold is a perfect opportunity to help younger ones to gain a sense of independence and responsibility for their own health. Try saying something like, “Wow you’re so grown up. I believe it’s time for you to have your very own hand towel, face cloth, or water bottle.” This will help them to take ownership because they feel proud and grown up. While at the same time encouraging them not to share things like cups, towels, utensils, and so on.
Closing
I will repeat a few key points that should be easy to remember. Wash your hands often (for 20 seconds at least) or use hand sanitizer. Try not to be in close contact with other people who are sick. Rehydrate yourself often. Eat healthy foods to keep your immune system and energy up. These basic points will help whether you are an adult or child, and also help you feel better sooner if you do catch a common cold. Remember if you develop a fever or severe symptoms you should see a doctor or other medical professional. You or your child could have an infection that will need to be treated with antibiotics.
Take C.A.R.E. this winter and I hope that you don’t have to deal with any nasty head colds. Don’t forget to share this article so your friends and family will be able to reduce the chances of getting a head cold this year.
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