7 Tips to Help You Enjoy Your Next Cold

Image: Tis' the season ... for Cough Syrup

I had been suffering from fever, unsexy mucous, a sore nose, and only enough energy to lift the tv remote for about 7 weeks when I finally got off my bum to see my doctor.
What he told me wasn't good: He said I had a 12-week virus, which meant another possible 5 weeks of torture!

Being sick is never fun, but if I were to survive the rest of that long, drawn-out bout, I had to find ways to lessen the agony and even enjoy the forced downtime with a few treats. These might help you too!

1. Warm-Mist Humidifier
If I had to choose between cool-mist and warm-mist, I'd go warm. When I was a little kid, we had a warm-mist humidifier, and my dad would put a big dollop of Vicks VapourRub in the little medicine tray. To me, being enveloped by the warm, medicine-y steam comes pretty darn close to a big comforting hug.

2. Emollient-Rich Moisturizer
Tissues are made of paper, and after about a day of nose-wiping, tissues feel like sandpaper! The skin on the nose is very delicate, and if not properly moisturized, all that wiping will make it dry, feel sore and, uh, flake... oooh, sexy. A good moisturizer with vitamin e and shea butter are in order. I came across this great UK product called Beauty Rehab Rose Salve $10.00, which seems to fit the bill perfectly. It contains all natural ingredients and no preservatives or petroleum products.
Oh, and you can even slick this product over your lips too. Good thing, as lips also get dry with all that mouth-breathing!

3. Comfy Pajamas
We all know it's important to wear something soft and comfy when sick. A quick search turned up this very luxurious selection, though I'm sure you can find some less expensive ensembles locally. But be sure your chosen outfit is made of breathable material - you may be wearing it for a few days, and you want to keep the "ripeness factor" down.
Bunny slippers optional.

4. Quick-Prep Food
During this latest bout, I only had enough energy for quick-fix foods, and in this house, that meant bread with butter, fatty toaster waffles, and salty MSG-laden instant soups. I should've sent Roomie out early on (before he got sick himself) to pick up some nutritious, immune-boosting fruits and veggies, and have it washed and ready on the counter for anytime pickup. And if you can, have someone you love make some low sodium canned soup... less salt and no MSG!

5. Warm Lemon & Honey
I set the timer to ring every hour to remind me to drink my next cup of liquids. It is crucial to get a LOT of liquids to help flush out germs and toxins! I had cups of hot green tea, hot lemon and ginger tea, and cool pomegranate juice, but by far, my favourite comfort drink was warm lemon & honey. Honey is a powerful antimicrobial to soothe raw tissues, is a natural anti-inflammatory, and has an array of phytochemicals that kill viruses and bacteria.
With this concoction, congestion loosens, and coughs are more productive. But for me, the best thing is that the sweet taste of this warm liquid is like a hug on the inside!

6. Entertainment
I like to read books when I'm sick, but oftentimes, even that takes too much energy. That's when I pull out videos of stuff I've taped from tv or dvds of my favourite movies. When I was sick last year, I had a Gerard Butler film fest. I only had Timeline and Lara Croft Tomb Raider 2, but I watch those movies over and over and over... Gerry's sweet face is always a pleasant sight for sick, blood-shot eyes. I don't think I've ever enjoyed an illness more! ;)

7. Sweet Fizz
Just seeing my husband come home with a nice fizzy bottle of Sprite is enough to make me feel a whole lot better. The cool tasty bubbles are often just the treat I need.

The rest of my family have been sick on and off during my lovely 12-week virus (in fact, my son is still sick today), so we've all benefited from doing some of these things.

So, what do you do to make your colds and flus bearable?