I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again.  If there is one thing I can not stand it’s getting sick.  It’s so frustrating to not be operating at your optimum level.  You know that feeling when your throat gets a little tickle and you feel a cold coming on?  Maybe you feel a bit tired, flushed, achy or your nose starts dripping.  At the first sign of a cold there are a number of things you can do to help kick it before it turns into a full blown cold.  Sometimes when I feel a cold coming on I am able to get rid of it before it turns really nasty. Here is a list of 7 tactics you can try to kick a cold before it gets you down.

7 Things To Do At The First Sign Of A Cold

1. Sleep: The first day you start to feel symptoms, get to bed as early as possible that night, aim for 8 hours.  If you can’t get a full nights sleep (which is common for moms) try and squeeze in a 30 minute nap!  Giving your body ample sleep will help give you the energy you need to fight off the germs.

2. Water: I’m a water drinker to begin with but when I feel a cold coming on I really start chugging.  This helps to soothe a sore throat, break up congestion, and get lymph and fluids flowing which will help carry the germs out of you.

3.Light Exercise: Taking a gentle walk or doing yoga can help boost your immune function. Since your symptoms are mildest at the onset of your cold, take the time to squeeze in some light exercise, like brisk walking for 15-30 minutes. If it’s cold bundle up really well.  If it’s too cold do some yoga inside.

4. Probiotic Foods: If you aren’t already making probiotic foods part of your daily diet (which I highly recommend) you should at least when you feel a cold coming on!  The easiest thing to do it purchase some plain yogurt from the store, sweeten with honey or add to a smoothie.  You can also purchase kefir, kombucha and fermented sauerkraut and pickles.  You want the good bacteria in your gut to outnumber the bad guys since your digestive system is home to about 80% of your immune system.

5. Vitamin C: I purchase vitamin C tablets for my kids in the winter and I love them too.  Most brands taste pretty yummy actually, start popping extra Vitamin C to help boost your immune system.

6. Homemade Tonic: Warm some water and add lemon juice, honey, and coconut oil for a soothing immune boosting tonic.   You can also make this immune boosting elderberry syrup recipe that has lots of honey and vitamin C and antioxidants.

7. Gargle: To combat a scratchy throat add half a teaspoon of salt to a glass of warm water. “The salt draws out excess water in your throat’s tissues, reducing the inflammation, and clears mucous and irritants from the back of the throat,” says Philip Hagen, MD, medical editor in chief of Mayo Clinic Book of Home Remedies. Salt water also flushes out bacteria and viruses, which may help when you’re getting a cold or if you’re trying to prevent one in the first place.

So there you go, 7 easy things to do as soon as you start to feel a pesky cold coming on.  And, if all else fails and you do get sick check out my post on foods to feed a cold. Are there any special things you do to combat a cold?  Please share in the comments below!

This post was shared on the following natural living/real food websites, go check them out for more great reading! Frugally Sustainable, My Humble Kitchen, Little House In The Suburbs, Food Renegade, Girl Meets Nourishment, Nourishing Joy, The Prairie Homestead, Homegrown & Healthy