Unfortunately for me, this week I finally succumbed to the cold that has been going around recently. But on the bright side, I was already working on today’s post when I got sick, so I had some great cold and flu hacks up my sleeve that have already come in handy! :-)
Cold and flu season is in full swing everywhere, so I was already hard at work hunting down tips and tricks that could help us survive it! And I’m happy to share them with all of you today, because I know I’ve been grateful to know about them!
So without further ado, here are 9 helpful cold and flu hacks that will help you and your family survive sickness and get back on your feet ASAP!
9 Of The Most Useful Cold & Flu Hacks
1. Medicine Helper
Have a little one who is less than enthusiastic about drinking cold medicine or cough syrup? A Dum Dum lollipop can help!
Just dip the lollipop into the medicine and hand it over. Dum Dums work best because they’re smaller than other types of lollipops, so they fit better into the small medicine measuring cups.
2. Overnight Cough Treatment
Vapor rubs like Vicks aren’t only useful on your chest! If you have a nasty cough, apply the vapor rub liberally to your feet before bed and pull on a pair of socks.
The bottoms of your feet are great at absorbing topical solutions, and the socks will help prevent the cream from rubbing off on your sheets. You’ll wake up feeling less congested, and your feet will feel softer too!
Related: Make Your Own All-Natural DIY Vapor Rub
3. Tissue Trash Can
Piles of used tissues are a common sight when someone in the house is sick. Leaving out used tissues can spread germs around, but there’s a simple solution to keep them contained!
Place an empty tissue box alongside a full one, then secure them together with a couple of rubber bands. The empty box makes a perfect “trash can” for used tissues, and attaching it to the tissues ensures it will always be close by!
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Related: The One Simple Thing You Should Do To All Your Tissues
4. Crockpot Humidifier
Dry air leads to dry nasal passages, and dry nasal passages aren’t as effective at filtering out germs. But you can use your crockpot to help restore moisture to the air in your home!
Just fill your crockpot about three-quarters of the way full of water, cover it, then turn it on High. Let it warm up for about an hour, then remove the cover to allow the moisture to escape.
Add more water to the crockpot as needed, and check on it regularly to make sure it doesn’t dry out.
5. Treat Your Throat
Need relief from a sore throat? Treat yourself to a marshmallow! The gelatin in marshmallows helps coat your throat, soothing soreness and irritation.
6. Get Smart
If someone in the house has the flu, consider investing in a smart thermometer like this one from Kinsa! Not only will the smart thermometer keep track of temperatures via a smartphone app, it can also keep track of medicine doses and symptoms too.
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7. Wash Away Congestion
When you’re sick and congested, a warm shower can work wonders on its own. But you can make your shower even more effective at relieving congestion by making your own vapor rub shower melts!
Check out this post to learn how to make vapor rub shower melts.
8. Dry Skin Solution
All the sneezing, mouth breathing, and nose blowing you do when you’re sick can lead to seriously dry, chapped skin. Dab some honey onto areas of chapped skin for soothing relief and healing moisture!
9. Eat Ginger
When you’re sick, look for ways to add more ginger into your diet. Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties that can help to clear up your sinuses, and it may have additional pain relieving qualities as well.
Foods with fresh ginger and ginger tea are both good options, or if you prefer, you can make your own candied ginger to snack on!
What’s your best tip for surviving a cold or the flu?
Oscillium (?) usually works better when you feel something coming on. It’s usually too late when I think to get some. I wish I’d known about Ginger for congestion earlier. My mom just had a nasty cold last week. I’ll have to remember it for next time. Maybe it would work with congestion from Allergies too.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I have always made this tea for me and anyone in the family that appears to be coming down with cold/flu-like symptoms. The list of ingredients is -water, milk, 1/2 tsp turmeric powder, a tea bag, ginger, 3 cloves, 3 peppercorns, cinnamon, and honey. Smash the spices for max benefits. Boil. Strain. Drink as warm as you can bear. You can use any combination of these ingredients in whatever proportion you want. You can leave out any of them too. We love this tasty tea, and it really makes us feel much better. The more often you have it, the better. Maybe 3-4 times a day.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I don’t usually have an extra empty tissue box for used kleenex but, I do use a brown paper grocery bag for them. It can be carried around and stands up by itself on the floor – great at bedside and couchside!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I beg of you to try either Zi-Cam or Cold-Eeze! (They come in various forms…nasal swabs, cough drops, etc.) These both contain zinc, which I’ve found to be almost a cure for the common cold. Taking a pill of zinc doesn’t work because the zinc must come in contact with mucous membranes. If you catch it VERY early, you probably wil have only sniffles for a few days, although both help shorten the severity and the length of my colds even if I take it after a day or two of onset. Be aware that the cough drops do cause queasiness in some people, better not to use on an empty stomach. But any of the nasal applications usually don’t have side effects.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Oil of oregano is amazing! You can get it in capsules or take the liquid (bottle has a dropper) it in juice . It tastes horrible, but totally works to boost your immune system.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.https://www.amazon.com/North-American-Herb-Spice-Oreganol/dp/B0019LWTQW/ref=sr_1_6?keywords=oil+of+oregano&qid=1579099442&sr=8-6
My new favorite tea is simply hot water with a teaspoon of honey and a few slices of lemon. It’s very soothing and helps with the cough.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Most of the solutions you mentioned for flu involved using sugar, sugar lowers your immune system for 4 hours after eating it, elderberry, zinc, vitamin c & homeopathic Occosilium always work for me
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thanks for these additional ideas!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.One thing I try to keep at home is Emergency-C packets. They’re a little pricey. You mix the stuff with water and drink. The tip I discovered a few years ago is you can use them up to 3 times a day when you have cold or flu. They are loaded with Vitamin C . These really help when I get the Crud .Helps to speed up recovery time.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.On the Candied ginger. It’s also
Please log in or create a free account to comment.great for upset stomachs. It’s great for calming those darn nerves down.
The tip of my nose is typically what suffers when I have a persistent sniffle. Apart from special, moisturizing facial tissues (e.g., Puffs Plus) I’ve found that rubbing a tiny bit of Vaseline around the outside of my nostrils helps them not feel so raw and sore.
The crockpot idea is a good one for daytime, but I also recommend investing in a humidifier if you get dry coughs. I put mine right next to my bed and start it 30 minutes to an hour before bedtime with the bedroom door closed, so that the air is nice and humidified when I’m ready to go to sleep. No need to refill until morning.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Terry I use blistex or carmex on the nose, takes the soreness out immediately.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Peggy, I thought I was the only one that did that hack. It is amazing at how good it works too. Chapped Ice, Blistex, and Carmex are my go tos for chapped lips and noses. But Vicks Vaporub is great too.