Feeling under the weather? Well, I can imagine what you have to put up with; fatigue, running nose, headache, sore throat just to name a few. You probably have tried some remedies like having a bowl of hot chicken soup, having hot water among others.
What the majority of people do not know is that sleep is also a very effective remedy. Not only just sleep but enough sleep. According to the United States National Sleep Foundation, the probability of catching a cold depends on how much sleep you get. This is because the more you get enough sleep, the more your body produces a protein known cytokine, which is responsible for fighting off infections.
Well, laying all cozy and tucked in bed with blankets and bedsheets are one thing. Getting to actually sleep is another thing. With these symptoms that you are struggling with, it is very difficult to get some shut-eye. Have a look at ways that are all-natural that can help you sleep better with the flu.
Get up and exercise
You are sick, why exercise? It just doesn’t make any sense. Well, after this it will. To clear things off first, you do not have to engage in some high-intensity workouts because your body is too weak for that. Light exercises that are aimed at opening up your breathing system for instance yoga or a simple walk are enough.
Exercise is known to boost the levels of energy and temperature in your body. Then once you are done, they automatically drop which makes you tired. So, you are likely to spend more of your bedtime in Rapid Eye Movement (deep sleep) phase which is super beneficial to your body especially now that you have the flu.
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Medical doctors say that most flu viruses can only survive at a temperature of up to 98 degrees. Basically, if you have a fever that is a natural way of your body fighting the disease. Exercise does typically the same thing. Even after that simple walk, your temperature rises and the body is able to knock down the disease which will make you feel a little better and sleep well.
Make sure your bedroom is super comfortable
Being comfortable is the main thing you yearn for when you have flu. For you to get a good night’s sleep, even those naps in between the day everything from a bed to the room air temperature should be very conducive for you.
How do you ensure that? First and foremost, pay close attention to your air room temperature. Contrary to the normal times when your body temperature slightly drops when you sleep, it is very high now. This is because of several reasons. Your body is gaining energy to fight off the flu so temperatures rise and it is kind of whacky with a few hormones thrown out of place.
It is recommended that you try and set your thermostat at a temperature that is neutral. Not too hot because you are already hot and not too cold because one of the symptoms of having the flu is feeling cold.
It is also advised that you have a humidifier in your bedroom. Humidifiers can help you breathe a lot easier while you sleep. You often use your mouth to breathe instead of your nose when you have flu. It will moisturize your nose, throat, and airways which eventually unclogs your breathing system. This will be of great help to you as you will improve your sleep quality.
Another thing to take into consideration is your bed. Since you will be spending most of your time there, it has to be comfortable. Your mattress and pillows will determine if your bed is comfortable. A mattress that does not retain heat making you uncomfortable is the most suitable one. Doctors recommend that when you have flu, sleeping in an elevated position provides you with an easy task of breathing. A firm mattress that will be able to support you in that posture but still comfortable enough just like the ones at sears mattress store, is the ideal one.
Your pillows should also be firm enough to prop up your head for easier breathing but still comfortable for your neck.
Stay hydrated
Coming down with flu mostly entails sweating and having a running nose. This eliminates a lot of fluid from your body which can easily leave dehydrated. Having a glass or two of water is really helpful.
Water is known to clear congestion by loosening mucus, therefore, you will not have trouble sleeping. It also boosts your immunity so you recover quickly. Not in the mood for water? Alternatively, you can have other fluids like fresh juice, milk or hot lemon or honey tea.
Make a point of having hot fluids too like chicken soup or hot tea. While drinking it, breathing the steam that comes out of it helps moisturize your nose and throat making you breathe easily. You will likely feel dehydrated most of the time but be careful not to overdo it because you might end diluting the natural salt in your body.
A big no-no when it comes to what fluids you can have is alcohol. It’s best that you completely avoid it at least not until you get better. Alcohol is known as a sedative, experts say that it inflames the membranes of your breathing system, which will make you feel even worse than you already do.
You can also spread the intake of the fluids throughout the day so that you will not interfere with your sleep by visiting the bathroom. You should also limit your intake of caffeine as it will keep you alert during the night.
Coming down with flu is usually a very uncomfortable experience especially when it comes to sleeping. Many people make a run for over-the-counter medications as a remedy. The fact is that one can cope with flu in a more natural way like either one of these without necessarily going for treatment.