Airborne

Ahhh Airborne. I have no idea if you work. I’ve heard vicious rumors that you don’t. But I still have faith in you.

Airborne is the first thing that I take when I feel any inkling of sickness coming on. And sometimes I take it just because I know I’m getting on a plane or haven’t been getting enough sleep. It usually seems to work, but that could also just be me desperately wanting to believe.

I don’t mind any of the flavors, but the pink grapefruit is my favorite. They have a night-time Airborne too in the flavor of warm apple cider! As far as I’m concerned, it certainly can’t hurt.

Emergen-C

Emergen-C is, to me, the lesser version of Airborne. I take it more regularly because it’s cheaper and easier. If I know I haven’t been eating write or getting enough sleep or have been highly stressed, I’ll just throw a packet of Emergen-C in a glass of water.

They have tons of flavors and I’m super excited about their new acai berry flavor. My other favorites include pink lemonade, strawberry, and cranberry.

Even if you’re not prepping to get sick, who can’t use some extra vitamins and energy??

Fruits and Veggies

Unless you’re a complete fool, you know you need to eat your fruits and veggies. You can take all the vitamin supplements you want, but nothing compares to the nutrition you get from the real thing. And there are sooo many options, there has to be something you like! Fit these into your daily routine and I swear you will get sick less!

Spicy Foods

Spicy foods are good for preventing colds and helping you get over them. One of my favorite spicy food fixes involves Thai food. I’m in love with Pad Kee Mao. I enjoy it with chicken, beef, tofu, or veggies!

I recently discovered Super 88 Market in Allston and am in love with it. The food court has TONS of Asian foods, many of which are very spicy. The Pad Kee Mao at the Thai station was one of the best I’ve ever had.

The grocery store has tons of crazy Asian food you can’t find anywhere else (the durian fruit?? Not something you see everyday). I want to go back and stock up on Asian goodness (no durian, thank you very much).

Aloe Vera Drink

You can get aloe drink at the Super 88. It totally freaked me out and I refused to buy it. Who drinks aloe??? How gross that must be! But now I’m reading tons of stuff about how good it is!

And it allegedly it has tons of vitamins and minerals in and it’s known to strengthen the immune systen. Not to mention it helps your digestive system and does about a zillion other healthy things for you.

I am definitely picking some aloe drink up next time I’m at the Super 88. Might be good to keep a nice stock of it for the next time I feel a cold coming on.

Working Out

One of the best ways to prevent the common cold is to stay active. Working out helps keep your immune system strong and going to the gym a few times a week is one of the very best things you can do for yourself.

However, the gym can also promote sickness if you’re not careful. Be sure to sanitize the machines before you use them; wash your gym clothes regularly; and take a shower as soon as possible after working out so you’re not just sitting in your sweat.

Sleep Aids

Getting a good night’s sleep is one of the most important thing you need to do in order to prevent sickness. Sometimes life gets busy and you just don’t have time to get in enough hours, but you should really try your best.

If you have trouble sleeping, there are lots of non-drug-related aids you can use. Try an eye mask or a little spray that consists of scents like lavendar, which is known to promote sleep.

Bath and Body Works has a huge line of “help you sleep” products. I’m in love with their little eye mask!

Purell

I can’t say enough about Purell. You should always, always carry some Purell in your purse (if you, in fact, carry a purse). I make sure to use Purell whenever I’ve been out and then sit down to eat in a restaurant.

The big pump bottle of Purell is ideal to have on your desk at work. Offices are so dirty and germ-ridden. Ew!

Of course you should be washing your hands as often as possible, but when you’re out and about, Purell is the best fix!

I’m in love with these little Purell keychains. You can keep germs away no matter where you are! And they’re cute, too.

Tea

I’m a fan of Starbucks when I feel like I’m getting sick because they serve Tazo Tea, which I think is one of the best tea brands ever. There are tons of different varieties so you can drink anything from “calm” to “awake.”

When I’m feeling a cold coming on, I especially like to drink a lot of green tea and Tazo’s is the best!

If you’re feeling a cold coming on, instead of going to a regular bar and getting drunk (which lowers your immune system and will likely make you sicker), go to a tea bar!

Tealuxe is the ultimate tea bar, offering so many varieties of tea, you won’t even know where to start.

Remember, getting your liquids is so, so important when you’re getting sick!

Getting a Massage

Stress casuses sickness! And then once you’re sick, you get even more sick. Vicious cycle, huh? The best thing you can do for yourself is to try and stay as stress-free as possible. Since there are so many factors in life that you can’t control, focus on what you can control. And when things get a little too crazy, a massage always helps you relax a little bit. Get some of those knots out and you’ll sleep better, feel better, and probably won’t get sick as often!

I love this Tylenol Cold multi-symptom pack because sometimes you’re so sick you can’t even think. And this way, I just buy one package and know exacly what to take and when. And it works SO well; I always see a notable change in my sickness after taking this Tylenol. I swear I don’t work for Tylenol; I just love them!

I also love this Tylenol cough syrup because it seriously stops my nightime coughing and because it comes in “cool burst” variety, it feels so good going down. Perfect for that sore throat that needs a little soothing.