Relax, revive - and survive the daily grind
If you’ve been struck down by a cold, giving yourself a break may be the best
thing you can do. To fight the good fight for your body, balance that cold with
warmth – literally. Your body will benefit from hot drinks, hot showers, and
gargling with warm salty water.
Protect what Matters
Annual vaccinations are a more effective way to treat the flu than antibiotics,
which aren’t even designed to treat the flu. Each Autumn, get proactive and get
a vaccination – this can save you from some of the known side effects of
antibiotics like digestional problems and thrush – and prevention is better
than cure!
It’s all in your hands
One of the best (and cheapest!) ways to keep cold and flu at bay is one that
should be incorporated into your everyday life. Take action on your health by
creating physical barriers for the little micro-critters which spread
infection. Keep your hands clean by washing with soap before eating or cooking,
and after coughing or blowing your nose. Invest in a handbag-sized bottle of
anti-bac hand sanitiser for those times when you’re nowhere near a sink!
Life Liquid
Help your body detox when you’re under the cloud of a cold or flu. The answer?
It’s as simple as the kitchen sink! Drinking plenty of water will speed up the
detoxification process, meaning you really will get better soon.
Smoke and Mirrors
Is your life literally getting you down? Smokers with a cold or flu will be
bedridden for longer. That’s because smoking slows down the body’s detox
processes. If you’re a smoker, make this your opportunity to cut back, or even
better, quit altogether – it’s never too late!
The Flu Family
Over the counter cold and flu medicines vary in effectiveness. Painkillers like
paracetamol and ibuprofen are good for relief from a sore throat, but aspirin
should not be given to children, as it may cause complications. ‘Cold and Flu’
medicines should also be used with caution in children, and should be avoided
altogether for children under two.
Free and Easy
While decongestants will unblock a stuffy nose, they can cause problems. You
should take special care if you have heart problems, high blood pressure, or if
you’re taking other medicines. They might cause side effects like hallucination
and excitability in children younger than 12 years. Saline (salt water) drops
or sprays are a safer, natural and equally effective option.