Being struck with common cold can be really frustrating. Not only would it prevent you from enjoying your favorite dishes, but it would also make your snooze sessions very uncomfortable. Sure, you can take some medicine for cough and colds as well as drink lots of liquids to make the sickness go away, but you need to make a few sleeping adjustments on your own (at least, while you’re still down under).
So, if you’re having trouble catching those zzz’s, then here are 7 bedtime tips and ways to sleep with a cold until you’re effortlessly drifting off to Dreamland.
Elevate Your Head As You Sleep
Surprisingly, a lot of people don’t know how to do this properly, stacking up two to three pillows together so they can rest their heads. This is wrong as by doing so the head may lean forward, leading to worse sleeping and breathing problems.
One of the best tips to sleep with a common cold is to get a wedge pillow, which is triangular in shape. This will lift your upper body in a slanting position, which is more helpful if you have the cold since it allows the mucus to drain away from your nasal cavities. If you don’t have a wedge-shaped pillow, you needn’t buy one; you can simply stack up your pillows in a triangular shape to achieve a similar effect.
Try Nasal Sprays
There are different kinds of nasal sprays out there, each suitable for different needs. These include decongestant nasal sprays, which don’t need a prescription and can provide instant relief for those with stuffy noses.
If you're figuring out how to sleep with a common cold, use a nasal spray before bedtime to clear out your nasal cavities for better breathing. But do be warned to use these sprays for just a few days since constant usage can worsen the problem with the inflammation of the mucous membranes.
Take a Warm Shower
A warm shower before bedtime is a tried and tested way to clear the sinuses. It will also make your nasal passages contract, allowing some of the inflammation to subside. It also moisturizes the air in your body, which will definitely help you drift off into Dreamland in no time. This is definitely one of the easiest yet most effective ways to sleep with a cold.
Use Mentholated Topical Cream
Mentholated topical creams help open up your nasal passages, as well as provide a cooling sensation which makes breathing easier. So get some from your nearest drugstore. Be warned, though; it’s not recommended for children younger than two, and you should not rub it directly under your nostrils—no matter how tempted you are!
Drink a Warm Beverage
Drinking a warm beverage before bedtime is one of the best tips to sleep with a common cold. The warm, steamy drink will help soothe your throat and loosen up your congestion.
Different kinds of tea such as peppermint, ginger, and chamomile are all good choices. These teas have properties that will help you relax, fight infections, and ultimately breathe easier. If you don't drink tea, you can also settle for hot soup or hot water infused with honey or lemon juice.
Drink Plenty of Water
Sometimes, figuring out how to sleep with a common cold is as simple as drinking plenty of water. By drinking lots of water throughout the day, you’re keeping your throat moist and your body hydrated. This will help in alleviating any of the congestion you’re presently feeling, and it will definitely help you sleep later at night. It can also help ease away the coughing you are feeling at that present moment. So have a bottle of water beside your bed just in case you wake up because of your coughing.
Take cough medicine
Coughing due to a common cold can leave you feeling exhausted and keep you up all night. Any OTC cough medicine will help provide temporary relief so you can sleep peacefully.
If you have mucus, it's best to drink an expectorant. This type of cough medicine will loosen the mucus in your lungs so you can easily cough it out. Another option is an antitussive, which suppresses your cough reflex. This is especially ideal for night-time relief, especially if you're finding ways to sleep with a cold.
Sleep is very important when you are sick, since doing so helps your body recover faster. So if you currently have the common cold, then you’d better follow these seven tips. Then you’ll be up and about in no time at all!