Oh dear, when you catch a cold, all you want to do is go to bed and get rid of it as quickly as possible. But home remedies can sometimes have the opposite effect. We tell you what makes a cold unnecessarily worse.
4 mistakes that make a cold really bad
1. blowing your nose frequently
Many people reach for a handkerchief when they have a blocked nose - that's understandable. But if you do this too often, germs and mucus are pushed into the sinuses. Even if it's not nice, it's actually better to pull up and rinse your nose with regular nasal showers. This will help you get rid of germs and mucus.
What helps against colds? The dos and don'ts
2. you stay in bed all the time
Of course you should get plenty of sleep and rest when you have a cold. Sleep works wonders and helps with recovery. But it's good to get some exercise in between, be it a short walk or light housework. Exercise ensures that you can cough better, because everything loosens up better. Fresh air is also good for you and your circulation. But please stay in bed if you have a fever!
Sleeping when you have a cold - how it works
3. you reduce the fever
A fever helps the immune system to get rid of pathogens quickly - so a fever is a good and above all natural thing! So there is no reason to take antipyretics if it doesn't get too high. Otherwise you are only delaying your recovery because you are interfering with the healing process.
4. you go to the sauna
Regular sauna sessions are good for your health because they strengthen your immune system. However, if you already have a cold, they have exactly the opposite effect and make the symptoms worse. The drastic change from hot to cold disrupts the independent regulation of body temperature and puts a strain on the cardiovascular system.