1. Rest

When you’re recovering from a cold or flu, your body needs rest. In fact, that’s probably the best medicine there is for those illnesses. Pushing your body when it needs to rest will not help you to recover. In fact, it could make your illness last longer. Your body is good about sending you messages telling you what you need, if you’ll listen. If you feel tired, you should probably rest.

2. Drink Lots of Fluids

When you’re sick with a cold or the flu, drink lots of fluids. It can help flush the germs out of your body. It also helps thin your mucus which helps you to get rid of it quicker. For me, hot beverages seem especially helpful when I’m sick. The heat of the beverage is comforting and helps you feel better. But you can certainly indulge in your favorite beverage when you’re sick, whether that’s tea, orange juice, soda or lemonade.

3. Stay Home

When you’re sick, you need to stay home from work or school. This is for your benefit and that of others. You’ll get better faster when you’re at home. Going out when you’re sick may make you catch something else since your immune system is already on low. You also aren’t exposing others to your germs.

4. Eat Healthy

You want to eat healthy when you’re sick with a cold or the flu. It’s okay to indulge in some favorite treats when you’re sick but you need nutrition, too. Junk food won’t help your immune system fight the germs. You need healthy, well-balanced meals. Have lots of fruits and veggies, too.

5. Treat Your Symptoms

Treat your symptoms when you’re sick with a cold or the flu. If you’ve got a fever, take acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Those medications can also help with body aches, headaches or a sore throat. You can use a saline spray to help with a stuffy nose. And cough drops are very effective at controlling a cough.

6. Take Your Vitamins

Vitamins can help your body to fight off a cold or flu faster. It’s a good idea to take a multivitamin everyday. There are also specific vitamins and minerals that have been proven to help fight germs. Vitamin C and zinc are great choices for fighting a cold or the flu. It’s always best to get them from a natural source but if you can’t, a supplement can be helpful.

7. See Your Doctor

Lastly, if you’re sick and think it may be the flu, see your doctor as soon as possible. There’s medication that can actually shorten the duration of the flu that your doctor can prescribe. While there’s no cure for the common cold, you still may need to see your doctor if you develop signs of infection. A cold can turn into a sinus infection, an ear infection or bronchitis. Those are things your doctor can give you medication for.

These are some things you can do to help you recover from a cold or the flu. What tips do you follow when you’re sick? Your thoughts are welcome.