by E. Rae Fallesen

Created on: January 15, 2008

The best way to cure the common cold is to wait for it to finish with you. Simply take the time to take it easy, drink plenty of fluids and catch up on sleep. A cold is a clear message that it is time to slow down. Just allow your body to repair itself.

Allowing yourself to have a cold is important. It will help you build up your immune system. Consider a cold to be a practice battle for your cells. That exhaustion you're feeling is the result of your energy being expended inward. It feels awful but it really is good for you.

To help relieve your discomfort during a cold try the following:

1) Chicken soup, a tried and true favorite. This soothing blend of water, chicken and vegetables slides right down your sore throat and warms you from the inside out. Even if your taste is off you can still enjoy the warmth.

2) Rub some Vix on your chest, cover it with a towel and just breathe in the menthol goodness. This can help clear up a cough, clear up your sinuses and will also soothe you if you focus on breathing steadily and slowly.

3) Take a hot bath or a steamy shower. Either one will loosen up phlegm and temporarily relieve your aching bones. Make sure to drink plenty of water after to replenish what you've lost in perspiration.

4) Dim the lighting and listen to an audio book. When you're sick the last thing you want to do is concentrate on anything. Instead of squinting through your headache at the television try an audio book. You can half listen as you doze. It will keep you occupied and entertained.

5) Pull on your softest pajamas. When you have a cold your skin gets hyper sensitive. Soft pajamas won't rub you the wrong way and they'll keep you feeling comforted and cozy.

6) Invest in some high quality tissue. You'll want something with moisturizer in it. Aloe Vera is wonderful. You're going to be blowing your nose an awful lot. The sooner you can keep it from chapping the better you'll feel about wiping it at all.

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