How to Shorten Your Winter Cold

Sniffle Shortcut: Winter is synonymous with cold, both the weather and the virus. We’re usually inside more, traveling more, and gathering with friends and family more — all of which offer an opportunity for germs to join in. Preventing a cold and not getting sick at all is the best option, of course, but sometimes illness is inevitable. Here’s what to do when you’re feeling under the weather.

The Benefits: Cold viruses vary in strain, symptoms, and severity, so not every remedy works every time. Most remedies reduce symptoms — congestion, sore throat, sneezing, body aches, low-grade fever — but won’t actually make your cold go away faster. Still, some might be able to.

How to Do It: The most tried and true ways of shortening your cold are the most basic: rest and hydration. Your body can’t fight the virus if you’re going full steam, and hydration can help keep your body balanced while it works to rid itself of the sniffles. After doing all of those things, you can try reaching for some Zinc, Vitamin C, and even black elderberry syrup to try and boost your immune response. They’re not silver bullets, but when used in concert with sleep and plenty of fluids, they can add a little extra oomph.