The weather is getting colder and student’s temperatures are getting hotter. While it may be tempting to stay in bed and avoid all your classes when you are feeling sick, having a curated medicine bag with every essential can be a total lifesaver— especially as the second semester rages on.
Medicine Bag Basics
The easiest way to start building your medicine bag is by finding out what type of cold and flu pill works best for you. Pills are almost always easier than downing the liquid versions of medicine. The most basic option is the DayQuil/ NyQuil combo, but other alternatives like Mucinex and common drugstore brands are also great choices.
To complement your cold and flu pills, it is a good idea to have quality cough syrup and cough drops. A numbing throat spray can help relieve sore throat pain. To clear sinuses, nasal spray is essential. You can even take it one step further by purchasing a vapor inhaler for quick on-the-go relief to ease nasal congestion. If that doesn’t do the trick, showering with a vapor tab can provide immediate relief from congestion. Neti pots are also effective for clearing nasal passages.
Vitamins
Vitamins should be a daily routine staple, but if they aren’t, sick season is definitely the time to start. The golden vitamin rotation consists of Vitamin D, Vitamin C, Zinc, Omega 3 and a basic multivitamin. For more experienced supplement users, consider adding in Elderberry, Magnesium, Astragalus or Selenium.
Vitamins don’t always have to come in pill form. Emergen-C, for example, is ideal for getting a quick boost of Vitamin C for the day.
Home remedies
If medicine feels too heavy, don’t forget home remedies are a thing too! Keep in mind that college students come from different backgrounds, meaning there are various home remedies to cure that cold.
The most basic remedy will always be to sleep and drink water. Make sure to get in as much rest as possible. While resting, sip on hot tea with lemon and honey— another classic. Gargling salt water is known to help with a sore throat. To get in extra hydration and electrolytes, Liquid I.V. is a great option.
Juices and shots are another lifesaver for the sick season. Either buying green juice from the market or making your own ginger shots is a great way to fight off sickness. Making ginger shots does not require a juicer either, it can be as simple as mixing a medley of spices. The key is to make sure to include the necessities: ginger, cayenne and turmeric.
What are your favorite home remedies? Let us know @VALLEYmag on Instagram!
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