How To Get Over A Summer Cold Faster

Having a cold is never fun, but having a cold in the summer is a seriously unjust punishment. It's already 90 degrees outside, and with the air conditioner on full blast, you're still sweating and sniffling because allergies — to throw a cold on top of all that discomfort is really unfair. Alas, it's a cruel world, and summer colds happen. And typically, they're a lot worse than winter colds. Summer colds stick around longer and often go away only to come back. How rude!

What's interesting though, is that they're actually caused by different viruses than the winter colds, so you experience them differently. Summer colds can often affect the whole body in the form of aches, pains, fevers, rashes, on top of basic respiratory issues. And if you're wondering if the air condition could be the culprit, you might be right.

When you walk into your chilled-out office, the cold air constricts the red blood cells in your nose and that prevents the white blood cells from getting there — creating a decrease in your immunity, and thus puts your at risk for a cold. Once the virus has made its way to you, everything you tough has a risk of becoming infected. So you spread it to your roommates, your partners, the people you share a bathroom with at the office, and so on and so forth. So what do you do when you get sick? You try to get rid of your summer cold as soon as possible. Here are some tips and tricks:

Don't Work Out If You're Sick

Summer colds are really sneaky, and if you start working out again just as it starts to fade away, it might come back with a vengeance. Wait a few days to make sure you're in the clear before you start working out again. This is your official excuse to take a break.

Stay Away From Sick People

I mean, that might sound obvious, but you have to be strict about it. If you have a friend who isn't feeling well, don't visit them. Give them a call. And for your friend's sake, don't socialize while you're in the throws of a cold. Otherwise you'll all just keep passing it back and forth all summer.

Use A Humidifier

Help keep your nose in tiptop shape but using a humidifier in your room. It will help keep your nasal passageway healthy and free from irritation.

Neti Pot

Don't just sniffle or blow your nose, get that stuff out of there. Use a Neti Pot and clear your sinuses out as much as possible. It's the best way to properly flush your nose.

Turmeric

Turmeric root is really good for inflammation. When you have a cold, your nasal passage gets super inflamed, turmeric will help calm it down.

Take Your Vitamins

I mean duh, summer is not the time to skip out on your vitamin routine. Make sure you're getting the max amount of vitamin C, especially.

Take Zinc Supplements

If you take zinc at the first sign of a cold, it might help to reduce to duration of it. Just keep a bag of lozenges in your desk at work!

Stay Away From That Super Cold A/C

Ask your boss to turn down the A/C a notch if it's too cold at work. If it's not possible, try to work as far away from it as possible. If you're feeling deeply chilled, you're too close and you're challenging your immune system.

Wash Your Hands

Wash your hands after you touch anything in public, before and after you use the restroom and before you eat or drink anything! You can't be careful enough. You should have hand sanitizer in your bag, too.

Be Careful In Public Bathrooms

Public bathrooms are crawling with germs, especially during the summer. Treat public bathrooms like they're made of hazardous waste (they are) and don't touch anything. Avoid them at all costs, if you can.

Eat Foods That Promote Immunity, Not Mucus

Make sure you're not eating all dairy, as that will only increase mucus production. Focus on greens, grains and citruses.

Water, Water, Water

Drink water until you can't drink water any more. Aim for 80 ounces a day. Settle at nothing less than 40. Carry a water bottle around with you all day and always choose water over soda or juice or alcohol.