It’s Cold. Head Colds.

It finally feels and looks like winter in Bellingham! February 2^nd and we finally got to see our first frosting of snow in town. It’s cold enough that the white stuff is sticking around for a couple of days and causing me to wear Colorado layers to get out for a run.

Ironically, or not so, everyone I know is fighting a head cold. I typically get to avoid these winter bugs because I don’t spend time in an office or forced to intermingle with germs. But a quick airport trip now and again puts me in the throws of it and fight as I may, I’ve got the Kleenex box close as I write.

My game plan to beat a cold when it’s cold.

• When I feel symptoms at or above the throat I’ll still run – my idea is to blow it out.
  • I am careful to keep warm, wear extra layers and wrap my neck and head in a couple of Buffs.
  • I plan so I can shower IMMEDIATELY after with the visualization of rinsing off the cold’s germs as well as not wasting time between finishing the run and the warm water to lose body heat. Fear grips of the wet sports bra!
  • I hydrate and supplement (list below) like crazy. This may just make expensive pee, but if I’m believing in it, it’s worth it!
  • I sleep as many hours as possible each night.
  • I’d like to say I nap, but my busy brain likes to motor through the day and I don’t typically make the time.
• If it slips into my lungs or taps my energy, or the stuff leaving my body is green or otherwise grossly colored, then I stay inside, reduce my activity and try to give my immune system all of the energy to beat the bug by continuing to hydrate, rest and supplement.
  • This might get me to nap. If I can’t be running I try to use that time I’d typically set aside to heal. Mindset: If I have a cold, or an injury… what can I do with that time to get me back to running sooner?

Supplement List:

Everyone has their go-to and I have found that it is good to mix up your mode of attack especially when using homeopathic remedies. Good to keep you immune system supported and the bug guessing! If I can start on a regime as soon as I think I’ve been exposed, or feel the very first symptoms, or best yet in anticipation of exposure (travel) I have definitely avoided and lessened symptoms.

The top 8 items on this list have been my go-to system in addition to excessive hydration including steamy mugs of Flora Health Cold Stop Tea to beat back the symptoms on this recent head cold. The rest are suggestions from an Instagram Story I did. I think it is good to keep a list and tune in to which ones are helpful.

• Elderberry Crystals
• Wellness Formula
• Apple Cider Vinegar + Turmeric & Cinnamon
• Vitamin C
• Probiotics
• warm Bone Broth
• warm Emergen-c
• Spice! Kimchi, chili oil (I like to think I’m burning it out)
• Air Borne
• Nettie Pot rinse
• Lysine
• Oregano Oil

I wish you the best in staying healthy through the rest of “cold” season. And get out and enjoy the snow* as often as you can.

* side note: I actually am not a fan of the snow, but PD pup is ecstatic about it and makes me like it a little more each year.

**Feature photo by Jeff Fisher