The sore throat, cough and general exhaustion often associated with a cold dampens everyone’s day. Fortunately, there are a few steps you can take to make your cold season less miserable. With apps, online resources, and innovative gadgets, here’s how to make yourself a little more comfortable until it finally goes away.
About the cold
Unlike the more serious flu, the common cold usually has mild symptoms that go away on their own after about a week, according to the Mayo Clinic. Typical symptoms include coughing, sneezing, congestion, sore throat and mild body aches.
Plus, it’s called generic for a reason. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the average adult gets two to three colds in a year. Chances are pretty high that you’ll have to deal with a cold at some point.
While there’s no cure, there are some steps you can take to make yourself feel a little better while your cold goes away. If any of your symptoms get worse or last longer than about a week, see your doctor for an evaluation.
1. Stay hydrated with apps that remind you of water
According to WebMD, drinking plenty of water, decaffeinated tea, and broth can help you stay hydrated when you catch a cold. If you need a little help staying hydrated, the best water reminder Android apps will do the trick.
If you make a lot of hot drinks, a smart kitchen appliance like the COSORI smart kettle is handy for setting the ideal temperature. It heats up to 180 degrees for the perfect cup of green tea and 212 degrees for black tea and other drinks.
For an extra soothing treat, make a cup of fresh ginger tea using YouTuber Banglar Rannaghor’s recipe. Simply simmer some ginger and other warming spices with black tea until you feel better. (Plus, the steam is great for opening up your sinuses a bit.) Try both versions of this recipe to find your new favorite hot drink.
2. Rest well with Wearable Tech
Getting enough rest is an essential part of recovering from a cold. It’s actually quite common (and even helpful) to take a nap during the day when you’re dealing with a cold, Healthline reports. Allow yourself to spend as much time on the couch or in bed as you need.
However, even if you’re exhausted from a cold, you may need a little help getting rid of it. If your sleeping area is a bit bright, try using a smart sleep mask to create a more soothing environment. Also, listen to an app with soothing sounds to help you drift off. It creates a calm, dark space to relax and you will have everything you need to get some sleep. (Well, it’s probably a good idea to keep an extra tissue nearby, too.)
3. Make breathing easier with a humidifier
One of the most frustrating parts of dealing with a cold is how it interferes with your ability to breathe. Fortunately, saline rinses and decongestants can help you breathe a little more freely if your nose is blocked. In addition, investing in a smart humidifier with cool or warm mist can improve your room’s air quality and relieve throat dryness. These devices can be a lifesaver if dry air makes your throat feel worse.
4. Move (just a little)
For many people, body aches and general muscle stiffness are unpleasant side effects of a cold. Try a very gentle stretching routine, such as restorative yoga from SarahBethYoga. Even gentle movement can help bring relief, so don’t push yourself while you’re sick.
5. Give yourself a mental break
As much as possible, try to refrain from putting too much pressure on yourself while you recover from the cold. If you need to take time away from work or school, use some strategies to prevent sick days from causing you to miss work. Email autoresponders are great for this.
Play some relaxing mobile games to pass the time or catch up on the best shows and binge watch on Netflix. It’s a great opportunity to indulge in a little escape while relaxing, giving yourself the chance to let go of your typical stresses.
6. Make comfort foods
When you’re done, try the best app for healthy soup recipes. A big batch of fresh tomato and basil soup can be just the thing to wake up your taste buds when you’re feeling a little down.
If you’re staying at home while you’re recovering, a grocery delivery app can bring you ingredients right away. This is a nice reward for anyone who avoids the crowds and keeps their cold germs to themselves. They are great for administering cough drops, extra tissues, or anything else you may need during your recovery.
If cooking feels like too much effort, scroll through the best food delivery apps around until you find something you like. Delivering food in bad weather is definitely self-care.
7. Download cold and flu season apps
Track your symptoms, set medication reminders, and schedule telemedicine appointments with the best iPhone apps for cold and flu season. You can even track the spread of diseases like the flu with the Lysol Germ-Cast app. It’s an easy way to keep up with information about the common cold and how to treat it.
Heal your cold with Tech
No one likes to get sick, but there are a few ways to make your recovery time a little more comfortable and enjoyable. Food delivery apps, hot drinks, humidifiers and some immersive television shows can make all the difference. If you relax for a while, your body will have a chance to fight the virus. Within a few days, the cold will pass and you can return to your normal routine.
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