This time of year is rife with germs floating around. Everywhere you go, people are suffering with nasty coughs and colds. So, how can you help to combat these cold and flu viruses?

Honey and Lemon

Honey and lemon is one of the most common hacks when it comes to coughs and colds. Just boil the kettle, slice up some lemon and place into a mug and drizzle on a tablespoon of honey then pour in the hot water. This makes a soothing warm drink that will help to line your throat and relieve the pains of a cough.

Honey also has some amazing natural healing properties. Lemon is also a natural antiseptic. So both of them combined make a great natural, cheap cold and flu remedy.

Essential Oils

Essential oils you can buy at a reasonable price from pharmacies and shops such as Boots. They are fantastic and each do their own special thing. For example, lavender helps you to sleep.

A hack I have learnt about is to place essential oils in your room when you are struggling to breath/ have a nasty cough. You don’t need to fork out on a diffuser, as you can just place the essential oil drops straight into a bowl of boiling water.

This website has some great advice on how to use essential oils with coughs, colds and flus.

Another great oil to use is Eucalyptus oil, which can either be rubbed in using a carrier oil or inhaled through steam to relieve pressure.

Flu Jab

If you have a low immune system and could do with a boost as you are around lots of people all of the time, it could be wise to go and get a flu jab done.

Flu jabs don’t cost a lot and can be done in many pharmacies, or even places like Boots or Morrisons. They don’t take long to do but will help to protect you against flu this season.

Wash Your Hands

This may seem like a simple one, but the power of washing hands is often forgotten. Make sure that you wash your hands with hot water and soap as this is what will kill off the germs that you have picked up along your day. Do this after you use the toilet and before you eat, as well as other times in the day.

Hand sanitisers, although are better than nothing if you don’t have anything else around, but they do not kill off certain sickness germs. Nothing beats some soap and water!

Drink Plenty

Keep hydrated and drink plenty- and not alcohol! Drink lots of water to keep your body nourished and hydrated. If you have had a night out, make sure that you drink a large glass of water when you return home too.

I hope that you have found these hacks to help combat the cold and flu viruses helpful. Remember to rest and take care of yourself!