Get Over It! How to Naturally Deal With a Cold

It's hard to be a mom.  It's hard to be a dad.  Parenting is hard.  It's even more challenging when you're ill. 

That's right, Ryan and I both got a headcold this week and are still recovering.  Emmaline, thank goodness (and thanks to breastfeeding) has not suffered at all but us parents are a different story.  Ryan woke up Tuesday with a sore throat.  We thought it was allergies but it got worse on Wednesday, the same day I woke up with a sore throat.  Lovely.  I won't go into the snotty details but it's been gross and we're both trying to stifle our coughs and sneezes so as not to wake up our lovely little baby all night!

Emmaline doesn't give a shit that we're sick!  She's not really empathetic or understanding yet so I'm dealing as best I can.  Emma still expects me to be on my A-Game.  Lots of smiles, throws up in the air, stories, crawling around on the floor together, supporting her hands as she practices walking (yes, we're doing that now!), and basically pretending I'm NOT feeling like crap is how things have been going. 

I don't take medicine aside from the very occasional Advil or Tylenol (we're talking once a year, maybe).  So how do I deal with a cold?

1.  Netipot.  Trust me on this one.  Especially during allergy season, it's important to keep the sinuses clear and free of allergens!  The easiest way to do that is with a neti rinse.  It's intimidating at first but gets easier.  I try to do a neti rinse a few times a week anyway but I make it daily when I'm sick.  Gotta flush the stuff that could turn into a sinus infection out of there!  (If you're interested in more details, let me know and I'll do a more detailed post about neti)

2.  Water!  You know I drink a lot of water anyway but I become more aware of it when I'm sick.  I try to sneak in an extra cup or two by drinking yummy, soothing tea and Emergen-C.

3.  Sleep when the baby sleeps!  I know everyone says this to new moms of newborns but it's important to get extra sleep when you're sick and, as a mom, the easiest way to do that is to nap when the baby naps and go to bed early!  Just do it! 

4.  Get fresh air.  I already walk about 3 miles a day so I get fresh air anyway but I like to open the windows and let the apartment breath a bit too when I'm sick.  Forced air conditioning systems trap a lot of germs so airing out the house couldn't hurt!  While you're at it, wash your sheets and your water bottle!

5.  Sweat.  If you're up for it go to yoga, go for a jog, lift some weights.  When you're sick from the neck up and don't have a fever, exercise can be so beneficial and help rid your body of whatever ails you.  Exercise boosts the immune system and increases endorphins so not only will you actually get better, you'll feel better too!

And finally,

6.  Fake it till you make it!  If anyone asks, I'm "fighting off a cold" or "hardly feeling whatever Ryan has".  There is no time in this mommy's life for self-pity, whining, or begging for sympathy.  I don't feel great but, relatively speaking, I'm fine.

Now, someone fetch me a snuggie, the remote, and a cup of tea.  I've got Jersey Shore on DVR and that always makes me feel better!