I had gone to sleep with my window open and then it rained at night. The cold first made the sleep more enjoyable, but while I was fast asleep, it increased.
When I woke up, my head was heavy, with slight headache knocking. It was like someone was hitting my head with a hammer. I was afraid I may have contracted COVID-19. You know that feeling!
It was obvious I had received more breeze than I had bargained. Now, I have cold and flu.
What should I do?
So many persons will get similar experience, with the increasing rain and then the number of COVID-19 cases in Nigeria.
It could rain any time, and it is easy to forget that the weather could become cold before morning.
However, there are few things that an individual could do to help keep cold away.
Remember that it has been said that cold has a way of increasing the chances of COVID-19 spread and here are some of the reasons.
COVID-19 is a respiratory disease and one of the very things that come with rain is flu which is also a viral attack on the respiratory track.
Cold weakens immune system. It could also present flu which may not be COVID-19-related. This will further affect the immune system and make the individual vulnerable.
Any contact with someone that is infected with COVID-19 would mean increased chance of contracting the disease, since the immune system is compromised.
Therefore, it is important that you give attention to your body and keep cold that could result in flu away.
Remember that moving about exposes you to COVID-19, but with a strong immune system, you are at least 50% safe.
What To Do
Boost Your Immune System
The very first thing to do to fight cold and flu is to boost your immune system. This helps you stay safe and strong.
During this period, it is advisable that you eat more of vegetables and whole grains.
Lifestyle changes at this time and regular exercise will help your immune system stay strong against antibodies and viruses.
Also, lowering stress level will help your immune system. Stress is one immune buster that everyone should avoid.
Check Your Window
The fight against flu really begins with reducing exposure to cold.
Make sure that you leave your window slightly open at night when sleeping. This way you control the amount of breeze that comes into your room while you sleep.
In Nigeria and some other African countries, windows often have mosquito nets added to it to keep the parasite away.
This is a related article: 8 Natural Ways Of Fighting Cold
Checking this net to be sure it is free of dust is another good thing to do. If your window has dust at this time, clean it and keep it free from dust.
The breeze coming in could take dust from the net and you will inhale it.
But when the net is clean, you are less exposed to dust.
Cover Up With Duvet
This is a good time to use your duvet as much as possible to keep you warm. Interestingly, keeping warm with duvet helps you get a good sleep in periods of cold.
You know that the most vulnerable people now that COVID-19 is here are the older persons. Providing them a duvet would help them stay safe from flu.
Also, extending this protection to children at home is an important thing to do.
Make sure they wear clothes that are thick enough to keep cold away.
Use Hot Water Bag
Water bags are great for periods like this and dropping one on your bed close to you will help you stay warm.
All you need to do is add hot or warm water in the bag, apply any great essential oil (castor oil is good) on your abdomen and place the bag on your body or close to your body.
This will keep cold away and keep you and yours safe from flu.
Wash Your Hands Regularly
This is one issue that has been over flogged this time, but it is still okay to talk about it. Flu is also transferable and this is why you should always wash your hands.
If you come in contact with someone that has flu, without observing the necessary 2-metre distance, you are likely to catch it.
The same happens if you have a hand shake with someone that has flu.
Remember, you could also touch surfaces that are contaminated and that requires that you wash your hands to avoid catching the flu.
Avoid Crowded Places In The Day
Staying away from places that are crowded during the day is one way to stay safe from flu.
You may also find this article: 6 Health Issues Walking Addresses, Including Breast Cancer; helpful
Remember that many people will have flu now because not everyone will take precaution.
Staying away from crowded places would help you stay safe from flu and even COVID-19.
Have A Flu Relief Balm At Home
Interestingly, we had seen the need for people to say safe from flu especially now that there is coronavirus and we prepared a flu solution.
Our Gilead balm or any other balm that is made from natural remedies would be great for cold.
There have been testimonies of how it relieved headache, cleared flu, gave people good sleep and relieved pains.
Sadly, people with arthritis often experience increased pains during cold, but having a balm for massage at home would help.
Add a little of the balm in hot water and inhale the steam and your nose will be clear.