November is officially here, meaning we are heading in to cold and flu season. I don’t know about you, but I always seem to get sick right before the holidays. Whether it be Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Christmas, or New Year’s, one of the sickness bugs always hits me and makes me unable to fully enjoy this time of year.
That’s why I’m making a pledge this year to stay as healthy as possible without dishing out sickening amounts of cash. These natural health remedies are sure to help me kick any flu bugs before they leave me down for the count, and the best part is that I can pick them up for only a few dollars each!
- Even the slightest sore throat lets me know that a bad cold could be on its way. A recent study found that a spoonful of honey eases coughs better than cough medicine. A tablespoon of honey mixed together with a tablespoon of lemon juice, microwaved until warm, can ease a sore throat before it becomes unbearable. With honey averaging $3-$4 a bottle and lemons under a dollar apiece, this sore throat remedy not only tastes better than cough syrup, but will also save money in the long run.
- I get congested easily due to allergies. Trying to work or enjoy the holidays isn’t very easy to do when I’m blowing my nose every other minute and have tissues laying all over. A bulb syringe or a neti pot filled with a one-to-one solution of warm water and saline solution can clear out sinuses and could possibly help you get over a cold faster.
- Nothing’s worse than having body aches when a sickness hits. Instead of spending money on smelly pain-relieving cream, fill a sock with uncooked rice and tie it closed with a string. After microwaving the sock for about a minute, it will be nice and toasty for you to place on sore muscles.
- Whenever I get sick, I get stressed more easily. My mind works more slowly and work is more difficult to do, therefore making me stress out. Slow, deep breaths can ease anxiety, and blowing long streams of bubbles from a bubble wand can aid in the breathing exercises. With many bubble varieties available for a dollar or less, this is an anti-anxiety treatment that I can afford.
With these natural remedies on my side, no sickness will stop me from the holidays this year! What are your favorite ways to kick the cold and flu bug?
-Sam