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3. Sleep as much as possible
Sleep is the best medicine for your body while fighting the flu. Watching TV curled up on the couch isn’t a bad idea, but you shouldn’t be binge-watching your favorite Netflix show all night long.
Go to bed earlier than usual and sleep in. You can also take a nap during the day to give your body more time to recover.
Rest and sleep also reduces your risk of serious flu complications, like pneumonia.
4. Ease your breathing
It can be difficult to sleep with a stuffy nose and cough. Try these tips to breathe easier and have a better night’s sleep:
Use an extra pillow to prop up your head and ease sinus pressure.
Sleep with a humidifier or vaporizer in the room.
Take a hot bath or shower before bed.
5. Eat healthy foods
You may be tempted to drown your sorrow in a bowl of ice cream and a bag of potato chips, but your body needs better nutrition to recover from the flu.
Fresh fruits and vegetables provide important vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that strengthen your immune system as it fights off the virus.
You might not have much of an appetite, but it’s still important to eat regular meals to maintain your strength.
6. Add moisture to the air
Dry air can make your symptoms worse. A vaporizer or humidifier adds moisture to the air and can help loosen up congestion.
There are many types of humidifiers and vaporizers available on the market. Examples include cool-mist humidifiers and steam vaporizers. These can be found easily for a reasonable price at your local big-box store, pharmacy, or online.
7. Take OTC medications
The cold and flu aisle of your local drug store is most likely packed with hundreds of different options. Some medications are used to deal with specific symptoms, like nasal congestion, while others treat many flu symptoms at once.
Pain relievers help reduce a fever, headache, and body aches. Examples include ibuprofen (Advil,
Motrin) and acetaminophen (Tylenol).
Decongestants, like pseudoephedrine (Sudafed), help open your nasal passages and relieve pressure in your sinuses.
Cough suppressants, such as dextromethorphan (Robitussin), can be used to soothe a dry cough.
Expectorants helps loosen thick mucus and are useful for a cough that is wet and produces mucus.
Antihistamines tend to have sedative effects that may help you sleep.
Be sure to read the product’s label to learn the correct dose for each type of medication and to make sure you’re not accidentally combining medications. Medications like DayQuil are both a pain reliever and a fever reducer, so you shouldn’t be taking another medication on top of that.
Children and teens should never take aspirin for the flu due to the risk of a serious condition called Reye’s syndrome.
8. Try elderberry
Elderberry has been used for hundreds of years in the treatment of colds and the flu.
In one placebo-controlled study, people with the flu who consumed elderberry lozenges four times a day experienced a reduction in fever, headache, muscle aches, nasal congestion, and cough after 48 hours.
In another studyTrusted Source, 60 people with flu-like symptoms who ingested 15 milliliters of elderberry syrup four times a day experienced improvement in their symptoms four days earlier than people who took a placebo.
A larger studyTrusted Source in 312 air travelers found that 300 milligram capsules of elderberry extract taken three times per day reduced cold and flu symptoms and duration in those who ended up getting sick after their travels compared to a placebo group.
Elderberry capsules, lozenges, and syrups are available in stores or online. You shouldn’t eat raw elderberries, as they can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Remember, elderberry is a complementary therapy, so make sure you’re also treating the flu with OTC or prescription medication.
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