| Winter usually means more than just nasty weather, | | | | you are subject to throughout the day. |
| snow days, and shorter days. It also means another | | | | 3. Eat foods that are rich in Vitamin C and other |
| cold and flu season is upon us. But, if you are like most | | | | nutrients. Believe it or not, chicken soup has been |
| people, you probably don't have time to be sick. You | | | | proven to help you get over a cold faster, because |
| may have a work deadline ahead, very few sick days | | | | chicken releases an amino acid during cooking that |
| to use at work, or a big event on the horizon, so you | | | | chemically resembles the drug acetylcysteine, which is |
| are probably looking for ways to get over your cold | | | | often prescribed for bronchitis and other respiratory |
| faster, and back on your feet. Here are some tips on | | | | problems. Some also say that the spices added to |
| how to recover quickly from your cold symptoms. | | | | chicken soup such as garlic and pepper is ancient |
| 1. Find the right cold medicine for you. There are so | | | | treatments for respiratory problems. You can get your |
| many types of cold/flu medicine out there on the | | | | vitamin C from a variety of juices and fresh fruit, and |
| market that choosing the right one may seem difficult. | | | | you can invest in a vitamin C supplement. You should |
| Try choosing one that has all of your symptoms listed | | | | do your best to stay hydrated, especially since most |
| on the label. If you only have a runny nose and | | | | sinus and respiratory medication can leave you feeling |
| sneezing, you should pick a product that has only | | | | dried out. |
| these on the label, but if you have a cough and a sore | | | | 4. Alcohol is not the answer. While alcohol is a popular |
| throat as well, you should pick one that will ease the | | | | choice of most old-timers, and while it may provide |
| symptoms of all four. If you are still unsure, call your | | | | temporary relief. Alcohol merely dehydrates you and |
| doctor or ask the pharmacist. They can help you pick | | | | masks the symptoms. It is important to stay hydrated |
| out the one that is best for your symptoms and in | | | | and work on getting better, instead of always looking |
| some cases they may recommend an antibiotic, if you | | | | for a quick fix. |
| have a viral infection. | | | | While colds are annoying and often time consuming, it |
| 2. Get plenty of rest. Taking time to rest, recharge, and | | | | is important to put in the effort and take the necessary |
| distress is a great way to get over a cold. If you're a | | | | steps to not only feeling better, but to getting well. You |
| mom, you could arrange for your kids to visit a | | | | should not hesitate to contact your doctor if you |
| grandparent or stay with a sitter, while you get a few | | | | symptoms continue for more than a week, or if you |
| hours of rest or you can just take time out of your | | | | are concerned about something you are taking or |
| day to read or watch a good movie, instead of thinking | | | | doing. |
| about bills, work, or whatever other stressful situations | | | | |