Getting sick with a cold is never fun. Your head is congested, your nose is runny, you can’t stop sneezing – it’s downright miserable. Is there anything you can do to shorten the duration of a cold and start feeling better faster? Absolutely. While there is no cure for the common cold, there are plenty of remedies and treatments you can use at home to find some relief and recover more quickly.

1. Get Plenty of Rest

This may seem obvious, but rest is so important when you have a cold. Your body needs time to repair and recover, which it does best when you’re sleeping. Be sure to cancel any plans, take time off work if needed, and just stay home in bed or on the couch. The more you rest, the sooner you’ll bounce back.

2. Stay Hydrated

When you have a cold, your body needs extra fluids. Water, juice, broths, herbal teas – keep drinking throughout the day. Staying hydrated will help thin out mucus and prevent dehydration. Drink a large glass of water every time you take medication too. Hydration flushes the medication through your system faster so it can start working sooner.

3. Take Over-The-Counter Medications

Over-the-counter cold and flu medications can provide some relief from congestion, coughs, sore throats and fevers. Look for medications that contain decongestants like pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine. These will help clear up a stuffy nose. You can also take expectorants like guaifenesin to loosen mucus and make coughs more productive. For pain and fever, go with ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Be sure to follow dosing directions carefully.

4. Try Natural Remedies

In addition to conventional medicine, consider adding in some natural remedies too. Herbal teas containing honey, lemon, garlic or ginger can help soothe sore throats and break up congestion. Chicken soup hydrates you and provides nutrients. Essential oils like eucalyptus, peppermint and oregano can open up nasal passages when inhaled. Zinc supplements may shorten the length of colds when taken right away. Talk to your doctor before taking new supplements.

5. Use a Humidifier

Using a humidifier adds moisture into the air, which can provide relief when you’re all stuffed up. The humidity loosens secretions in your nose and makes drainage easier. It also prevents your nasal passages from completely drying out, which can happen with repeated nose blowing. Run your humidifier in the bedroom while sleeping. Just remember to keep it clean to avoid spreading germs.

6. Take a Hot Shower

A long, hot steamy shower can do wonders when you have a cold. The steam moisturizes your nasal passages naturally and helps loosen mucus. Add a few drops of eucalyptus or menthol oil to the shower floor for even more congestion relief. The hot water also soothes achy muscles and washes away lingering germs on your skin. Finish with a cold rinse to close your pores and improve circulation.

7. Use Saline Sprays and Drops

Saline sprays and nasal drops are easy and effective for clearing a stuffy nose. The saltwater solution helps thin out mucus membranes and removes irritants like allergens, bacteria and pollutants. Using a saline spray or drops 2-6 times per day moisturizes your nasal passages, reduces swelling, and washes away congestion. This provides fast temporary relief when you’re feeling stopped up.

8. Try a Neti Pot

A neti pot is device used to flush out nasal passages and sinus cavities using a saline solution. Fill the pot with lukewarm distilled or filtered water. Dissolve salt and baking soda, then pour the solution into one nostril so it drains through the other. This process loosens mucus and cleans out your nasal passages naturally. Use a neti pot once or twice daily when you have a cold.

9. Drink Hot Liquids

Sipping on hot drinks can be very soothing when you’re congested and coughing. The heat from teas, broths and lemon water helps loosen phlegm and thins out mucus. This makes your coughs more productive at getting gunk out of your chest. The steam also moisturizes your nasal passages and throat, alleviating coughs and runny noses. Stick to non-caffeinated liquids before bed so you can rest comfortably.

10. Use a Cool Mist Humidifier

A cool mist humidifier pulls moisture from the air and distributes it as a fine mist. This increases humidity levels and adds moisture to dry air. Breathing in the cool mist moisturizes your airways and helps relieve coughs, congestion, dry skin and more. Place the humidifier near your bed when you sleep, or right by your workspace during the day. Humidifiers are safe to use around children and pets, just be diligent about cleaning them.

11. Gargle with Salt Water

Gargling with warm saltwater is an easy home remedy to soothe a sore throat. The salt helps reduce swelling and the warmth temporarily relieves throat pain. To gargle, stir 1 teaspoon of salt into 1 cup of warm water until dissolved. Take a small sip, tilt your head back, and gargle for 30 seconds before spitting it out. Repeat as needed, several times per day. Make sure not to swallow the water.

12. Eat Chicken Soup

A warm bowl of chicken soup is a classic cold remedy, and for good reason. The broth keeps you hydrated, while ingredients like carrots, celery, onions and garlic have anti-inflammatory benefits. The steam can also help clear your nasal passages. Protein from the chicken can also boost your immune system to help you recover faster. Go with homemade soup, or look for a low-sodium variety.

13. Drink Plenty of Fluids

When you have a cold, your body needs extra fluids. Water, broth, herbal tea, diluted juice – keep sipping throughout the day. Drinking fluids keeps your mucus membranes moist, thins out mucus, prevents dehydration from fever and helps flush out your system. Room temperature or warm fluids can be very soothing. Avoid alcohol and sugary drinks, which won’t hydrate you as well.

14. Get Extra Rest

Listen to your body and allow plenty of time for rest while recovering from a cold. Cancel social plans, take time off work and avoid strenuous activity until you feel better. Your body needs rest to heal. Sleep as much as you can to allow your immune system to repair itself faster. Don’t overexert yourself or you may prolong your illness. Give yourself permission to relax.

5 FAQs about Curing Colds

1. Should I exercise when I have a cold?

No, you should avoid exercise when you have a cold. Rest is important so your body can direct its energy towards healing. Physical activity can prolong your illness or make symptoms worse. Wait until your fever has resolved and you are feeling better before returning to your normal exercise routine.

2. Are antibiotics helpful for colds?

No, antibiotics have no effect on colds. Colds are caused by viruses, and antibiotics only work against bacterial infections. Taking unnecessary antibiotics can lead to antibiotic resistance down the road. Over-the-counter cold medicine, rest and home remedies are the best ways to treat cold symptoms.

3. Should I take vitamin C for a cold?

Vitamin C is unlikely to fully cure a cold, but it may help shorten its duration. Many people start taking vitamin C supplements as soon as cold symptoms appear. There is some evidence that large doses of vitamin C can provide a mild reduction in the length of a cold.

4. How can I avoid spreading my cold to others?

Colds are contagious about 1-2 days before symptoms appear until all symptoms resolve. To avoid spreading germs: wash hands frequently, sneeze/cough into your elbow, use tissues, avoid close contact and shared items, disinfect surfaces and consider wearing a mask.

5. When is a cold considered severe enough to seek medical treatment?

Most colds can be managed with home treatment and resolve within 7-10 days. Seek medical attention if you have difficulty breathing, chest pain, high fever, dehydration or if cold symptoms last longer than 10-14 days or seem to be getting worse.

Conclusion

Getting over a cold quickly comes down to listening to your body and taking the steps to nurture it back to health. Drink plenty of fluids, get ample rest, and utilize over-the-counter medications as needed for symptom relief. Natural remedies like steam, honey and essential oils can also help open nasal passages and soothe coughs. With time and rest, your immune system will be able to overcome the cold virus. Be patient, avoid reinfection, and do what feels right for your body. Before you know it, you’ll be back to feeling like yourself again!