Punching Germs in the Face
Ah cold season, you devil witch. When will we ever be safe? Now I know this may come across as another list of obvious things to do when you are fighting a cold, but let’s be REALLY HONEST with ourselves. I rarely get sick, but when I do I turn into a worthless pile of goo. All of the good eating and health habits? Gone. It’s all cheesy pasta, thai food, and goldfish for me and often times I’m too lazy to get up and make tea. Good job me you are literally living life by the opposite day rules!!! You get no gold stars. So take this advice to heart dear readers and do as you read NOT as I say I do. Got it? (Goldfish can be enjoyed anytime though. They are always the exception.)
SLEEP. Omg really?!?!?!? Listen fools I know you are using this time to catch up on HBO. For this part to work you need to actually get some damn shut eye. I know we are all busy but nothing will matter if you are DEAD! It could be the flu or it could be lupus. Sleep or face death. (Disclaimer: I am not a hypochondriac I just enjoy instilling fear in my readers).
STEAM. Nothing is better than a free facial over a hot strainer of freshly cooked pasta. This also can be used to LOOSEN UP MY BUTTONS (INSERT CONGESTED NOSTRILS) BABE. Bonus points if you sang along in your head. If you’re not up for carbs take a hot shower or place your face over a steamy bowl of water with a towel over your head. Adding essential oils of peppermint or eucalyptus make it even more of a spa experience.
HYDRATE. We all know this one but did you know that tea also contains antioxidants called catechins that help fight the flu? Besides water I absolutely LOVE making Turmeric Hot Toddies. Say what?!!?!? Thats right, heat up some herbal tea and mix in powdered turmeric, honey, lemon, ginger, and a shot (or two) of whiskey. I always sleep like a baby and all the antioxidants go to fight for your honor like Jon Snow did in that awesome battle scene. Also, it’s a fancy drink to introduce to your craft cocktail friends. #CRAFTBREWS #HEALTHYCOCKTAILS #LIVING #MICDROP
DE-STRESS. This one is a biggie friends. Sometimes you just can’t help getting sick, but statistically stress is upping your chances of sickness by a lot. Nate Silver hasn’t made the graph yet that I asked him for, (busy with the election I guess) but it would basically be stress going up as chances of sickness go up. It’s fine imagine it. Treat your cold like a mini vacation because your body is telling you it needs a date night. Finding your zen is important because your body tends to under-react to viral and bacterial infections when you are under stress. If it’s flipping through gossip magazines or watching old movies, do what you need to do to chill while your body is catching up.
EAT WELL. Hard to do when sick I know. All I want is pizza when I’m sick and you know dairy is phlem’s sidekick right? If you want to shorten your cold eat gentle and natural foods. Hot soup is always the way to go, but here are some great germ fighters that you may not have known about…
- Fish. Fatty acids help reduce inflamation and anxiety which can worsen a cold.
- Oysters. Full of zinc which is great for fighting colds. Who knew?
- Garlic. When eaten raw it has tons of antioxidants.
- Anise. I bake the seeds into pancakes but in tea form fans say it helps ease coughing. (add honey to ease the licorice flavor)
- Probiotics. A healthy gut is a healthy human. The majority of your immune system stems from your gut.
- Red peppers and Mushrooms. Veggies with tons of antioxidants, B vitamins, fiber, and fungal badassery.
- Blueberries and Dark chocolate. Antioxidant powerhouses. Colds don’t stand a chance.
OUTLOOK. I know this sounds hippy dippy but there are tons of studies out there where patients are given a placebo drug and they believe they feel the benefits. Its called the PLACEBO EFFECT!! Whatever your cold fighting secrets are, if you believe in them you are more likely to get better quicker with a positive expectation. QUE THE BARNEY SONG!!
If you didn’t learn a damn new thing then I hope you refreshed your memory that taking care of your body is a thing we need to do as humans to do all the other badass stuff we want to do. So make my awesome Turmeric Hot Toddy and snuggle up with your Ugg boots you basic bitches!!!!!! (Just kidding everyone is magical and special and unique and funny). Stay healthy!
Going to bed by 9pm after scrolling through blogs of apartments, Julia