
19. Drinking enough for colds and flu
When you are feeling under the weather, make sure you stay hydrated. Cold and flu symptoms like runny noses and sweating which often accompanies fever, increase the amount of water your body loses. For more on this topic visit Tips for Staying Safe and Healthy in the Cold Winter Months. Water is the best fluid to drink when you have a cold or flu as it helps lubricate the mucous membranes of the throat. Hot drinks are also a good choice as the hot steam they produce can relieve congestion.
Fluid loss is caused by different symptoms of the common cold and flu. If you are running a fever at all, that can draw water and electrolytes out of your body as sweat. Also, you may be breathing faster, which leads to more moisture release. Drinking cold water lowers the body temperature and takes a fever down. Staying hydrated at any time is important, but when the body is in distress, using the cold water helps tremendously. Adding a squeeze of lemon and a little bit of sea salt during a fever can replace electrolytes that may have been lost.