With the weather changing and getting prepared to welcome the upcoming winter season there is a good chance the not so delightful common cold may pay you a visit. Don't you just hate feeling heady as you wake up? Throughout the day your nose runs and then you wake up constantly throughout the night leaving you tired in the morning with a scratchy throat. This routine of snot, phlegm and hoarsens can last for weeks. The worst aspect of the common cold is that it is common. Everyone gets it and therefore no one really shows any sympathy. It's not like the cold makes you deathly sick. Instead the common cold becomes an uncomfortable companion that you learn to deal with.

Why do we get the common cold?

There are numerous viruses that trigger cold symptoms. These viruses are particles that are either sneezed or coughed into the air or they lie around an exposed infection and can be passed on through touch. Now there are thousands of tiny viral particles in the air everyday and a healthy immune system will fight those germs. A low immune system is often the reason why a person contracts the common cold. Someone's immune system can lower due to lack of sleep and exercise, stress, a poor diet, inefficient digestion, a disease or smoking.

How to treat the common cold

Yes, there are the drugs that are so readily available at the pharmacy which can work but remember that there are other ways to dissipate the cold symptoms while gently strengthening the immune system.

1. Wash your hands as often as possible. When you are trying to overcome a cold you are trying to ultimate all the germs that made you feel sick in first place. Each time you sneeze into your hands germs are on your hands and without washing them you are likely to re-inhale those germs and the endless cycle begins. Wash your hands frequently for about 25 seconds each time using soapy water, this will help you combat the cold and prevent your germs affecting others who you live with.
2. Sleep. Often colds stay around forever because you just keep going a going. Lack of sleep is one reason why an immune system might be low and by depriving your body of sleep you are just decreasing your chances of improving your immune system and overcoming your cold.
3. Steam inhalation. Breathing in steam with eucalyptus or using a humidifier can offer needed relief. By doing this periodically when plagued with the cold you will find it breaks up mucus and enables deeper and fuller breathing.
4. Lemon and honey is an ancient remedy to give relief to a sore throat and hoarse voice.
5. Increase your vitamin C intake. Either take a vitamin C pill or eat more food that contain vitamin C. Examples of foods that are rich with vitamin C are: peppers, spring green, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, tomato, green cabbage, potatoes, strawberries, lemon, orange, kiwi, raspberry and peaches.

The key to overcoming a cold is listening to you body and being consistent in boosting your immune system.