Why Won't My Winter Cold Go Away? 10 Ways to Say Goodbye to Your Cold

*Maintaining humidity

Indoor humidity in winter drops below 30%. When the air is dry, the mucous membranes of the nose and throat become dry, making it easier for viruses and bacteria to penetrate. According to research, the transmission of cold viruses is lowest when humidity is between 40% and 60%. Use a humidifier or hang a wet towel. Ventilating once a day to bring in fresh air is also important.

We also turn on the humidifier when our house is dry. Having allergies too, it gets tough when it's too dryㅠㅠ

 

Adequate hydration

Water knows the answer. Drinking enough water keeps the mucous membranes moist, making it harder for viruses to attach to the body. Hydration also helps eliminate waste products. The U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced that increasing fluid intake when you have a cold can help alleviate symptoms. Water, warm tea, and honey water are good options. In particular, ginger tea and jujube tea warm the throat and boost immunity.

I think staying hydrated is the most important. I've also been paying attention to drinking water these days. It's just that I go to the bathroom too often, so it's annoyingㅠㅠ

 

Sleep is the best medicine

Lack of sleep weakens the activity of immune cells, leading to prolonged colds. According to a 2015 study, people who sleep less than 6 hours a night are four times more likely to catch a cold than those who sleep more than 7 hours. Aim for at least 7 to 8 hours of restful sleep each day.

This is the most difficult part. Still, I am trying to go to bed before 1 o'clock. For my health, I need to sleep early and get more than 7 hours of sleep.

 

*Hand washing

70% of colds are transmitted through hands. This is because viruses penetrate the eyes, nose, and mouth via hands that have touched objects. Especially in winter, cold viruses remain on door handles and keyboards for a long time. The World Health Organization (WHO) emphasizes that proper handwashing can reduce the incidence of infectious diseases by more than 40%. Make it a habit to wash your hands with soap for at least 30 seconds whenever you have a chance.

One of the things I care about the most!! Handwashing~~ I also wash my hands frequently^^

 

*Warm food and immune-boosting diet

When body temperature drops, immune function is weakened. Eat foods that keep the body warm. Warm soups or chicken soup help raise body temperature and soothe the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract, aiding in recovery from colds. Frequently consume warm foods such as soup, seaweed soup, sweet potatoes, or pumpkin. Fruits rich in vitamin C, such as tangerines, kiwis, and strawberries, are also good for boosting immunity.

I should eat warm food rather than cold food~~^^ I need to choose things with lower calories.

 

Light exercise

If you hide away at home because it's cold and lie still, nothing will happen. Let's do some light exercise. According to the Mayo Clinic in the United States, regular exercise helps promote the circulation of immune cells, which aids in quickly eliminating cold viruses.

(As expected!!! I should exercise lightly every day. It's cold and I feel lazy to walk, but I still need to cheer myself on to walk.)

 

Keep your neck warm

A warm neck helps maintain the overall body temperature. In particular, the neck area contains lymph nodes with concentrated immune cells, making it important for cold prevention. During winter, always wear a thin and soft scarf.

(Really, your neck needs to be warm. I also always wear a thin scarf~)

 

Warm water and lemon salt gargle

When you have a sore throat and phlegm, lemon and salt are the quick remedy. The vitamin C in lemon soothes the throat, and salt helps eliminate bacteria. Mix a teaspoon of salt and lemon juice in a cup of warm water and gargle two to three times a day. This alleviates throat pain and reduces inflammation.

Every morning on an empty stomach, I drink Yangyang-tang and Olive Lemon Shot, so I need to be more consistent to prevent catching a cold.

 

*Stress management

When the stress hormone cortisol is excessively secreted, it weakens the immune system, making one more susceptible to colds. One study reported that prolonged stress suppresses the activity of immune cells.

Lately, everything I do feels like a disaster, so I'm stressedㅠㅠ I need to manage things better.

 

*Supplementing with Vitamin D

Vitamin D is important for immunity. According to research, low levels of vitamin D increase the risk of catching a cold by more than twice. During winter, insufficient sunlight makes it difficult to synthesize vitamin D. Eat foods like salmon, egg yolks, and mushrooms, or take vitamin D supplements.

Vitamin D supplementation is good for preventing colds~~ Egg yolks and mushrooms are also very good^^

 

Source: GQ