Tips and Tricks from Wellness Planners to Cope with Cold and Flu Season

It’s that time of year when everyone you know (including you) gets the flu, COVID or the flu one time. And where it is now FDA approved tests to tell you if you have COVID or the flu, you still have to deal with the symptoms. There are ways to treat sore throat, stuffy nose, cold, fever, cough and other symptoms.

CNET’s health editors compiled our cold and flu hacks that we use to avoid getting sick as much as possible. In addition to our tips, we recommend our favorite products and link to more information on why these hacks can work.

Detox tea

“Whenever I feel a cold coming on, I always make a detox tea drink. The recipe includes white cranberry juicelemon and organic dandelion tea. I will take a gallon glass or a very large mason jar and fill it with hot water. After that, I have two minutes dandelion tea bags for 10 to 15 minutes. Then, I add lemon juice and half of cranberry juice. This drink is very bitter, so I suggest adding honey.

In addition to three healthy meals throughout the day, I try to finish drinking as much tea as possible. It really helps to flush everything out and keep me hydrated. Also, drinking when it’s hot calms me down. Pure cranberry juice and dandelion tea they have a lot of antioxidants Lemons contain vitamin C.” – Caroline Igo, sleep editor

Zinc

“In winter and cold, I try to take it zinc frequency from others Research shows that it can shorten the duration of the flu in a day or two. That argument is still up for debate, but I’ve found that when I take it, I stay healthy during cold and flu season. I also like to keep foods that are high in antioxidants support my immune systemso it could be a combination of things.” – Giselle Castro-Sloboda, health writer

Echinacea

“I’m taking you echinacea supplements I’m sick of the seemingly mixed and inconclusive evidence that it can help you feel better faster and some physical activity. – Jessica Rendall, health writer

Lava

“I like turmeric lattes and teas when I’m not feeling well. Known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, it is said that turmeric can benefit those struggling with allergies and illnesses. It is also associated with reduce anxietywhich I feel especially when I’m sick. Regardless, hot drinks are popular relieve cold and flu symptomsand I really feel this goodness with my favorite turmeric drink.

Although I have tried making my own turmeric latte, I love the taste of it Golden Super Latte from Clevr Blends, which includes probiotics, mushrooms and adaptogens. For a cheaper option, I also like it Honey Tea Yogi Chai Turmeric Vitality tea and extra honey (and sometimes lemon). Note that both drinks contain black pepper, which can increase your body’s ability to absorb curcumin, a beneficial compound in turmeric.” – Anna Gragert, health editor.

Elderberry

“Although some research is necessary to understand everything effects of elderberry in treating or preventing colds or a cold, this is a addition which you can always find in my medicine cabinet. I take it every day and I find that I get sick less than when I didn’t drink it. I have tried it in all its forms – gummies, syrups, tablets and capsules. Gummies are great, but they usually come with a lot of added sugar, so I stick to the capsules. These, combined with good sleep, exercise and frequent hand washing, are my go-to strategies for cold and flu season.” – Nasha Addarich Martínez, editor-in-chief

Focus on throat care with tea, honey and more

“When I have a cold, I like to brew beer.” fresh ginger tea and add honey to it. For sore throats and sore throats, I gargle with salt and warm waterbut I wear it around my neck and a a warm-up honey concoction and lemon juice (some people also use lemons). It’s like homemade syrup that’s delicious and refreshing at the same time. ”- Giselle Castro-Sloboda, health writer.

Hot water, honey, apple cider vinegar and hot children

“When I get sick in the winter, it’s usually with a sore throat or a sore throat. Some cough drops sometimes seem to increase the sore throat and heartburn when I only provide short-term relief. Instead, I started drinking hot drinks with honey (especially honey (which is bought locally) One soup I eat during the day is simple: hot water, a little honey apple cider vinegar. The other is a hot toddy in the evening, usually a few hours before bed.

Variations of hot toddies have been used as cold and cough remedies many centuries. This recipe consists of hot water, whiskey, honey and lemon, often garnished with a cinnamon stick. Of course, adding whiskey is optional, and you’ll still enjoy this drink without it. In addition to washing my hands often, I am always outside in the winter. Getting fresh air and sunlight — even in the winter months — seems to help boost my immune system (it’s my opinion).” – Aly Lopez, sleep writer

Organize your sleep

“Sleep is an important part of recovering from a cold. That said, it can be very difficult to sleep when you’re sick, especially if you have a runny nose or a persistent cough. To deal with this, often sleep has settled when I get sick. It might sound a little wacky, but it helps to make sure I get enough rest and sleep so my body can rest and recover as quickly as possible. There are special pillows for this, though I like to just stack what I have to save money. ” – Taylor Leamey, sleep author.

VaporRub

“Because there are problems with cough, I depend on it Vicks VapoRub and rub others on my chest (notice that you do not put it in your nostrils or nostrils). It’s a temporary fix that helps me get rid of my pimples faster. And now I’m dealing with a little baby, I’ve found that a steam bath helps with a stuffy nose, then I clear it with nasal breathing.” – Giselle Castro-Sloboda, health writer

Steam

“Every time I’m sick, it makes my upper airways very difficult. To clear my sinuses and make my sinuses easier, I go to a very hot shower. Steam inhalation has been shown to reduce cold symptoms. To prevent the hot water from scalding my skin, I usually let the shower head run over my body for a few minutes while I take a deep breath to inhale the air.” — Anna Gragert, health editor.

Pay attention to your body’s symptoms

“Over time, I have learned that when my body is shaken and “lowered” by something, for example, fighting an illness or disease, the skin on the back is very difficult. to be slightly elevated from my origin, although it is not high enough to count as fever. This is my way to stay calm, eat more fruits and vegetables and go to bed early to give my immune system a good shot. I don’t know if anyone will have a real quirk, but I think it might be a sign of your body to be sick, and to change accordingly, is profitable.” – Jessica Rendall, health writer