This year has been a tough cold and flu season, and while I have my usual brigade of medications, hand gels, and other solutions, one of the things that gives me the most relief when I am sick with a bad cold or flu, is a soothing hot beverage. I’ve put together a list of some of the most relaxing drinks I could find. Let me know if you have any favorites of your own.
1) Lemon, ginger, and honey (plus whiskey?) – This is my favorite. In fact, last time I got sick and went to the grocery store to pick up these three ingredients the cashier looked at me and said, “Ah, not feeling well, huh?” Lemon, ginger, and honey make a great combination to soothe your throat, open up your sinuses, and just relax you. To make it, cut off about an inch of ginger root and peel off the skin. Grate the ginger into the bottom of your mug. Take half a lemon and squeeze the juice into your mug. Add hot water until the mug is full. Take a teaspoon of honey and mix it in. Allow the mixture to sit for 5-10 minutes so that the ginger can seep into the mixture.
As for the whiskey, when I am sick I usually drink this concoction 3-5 times a day. For the last mug of the day, as I am getting ready for bed, I sometimes add a shot of whiskey to the mix. It is a great way to help you sleep and make you feel better. And well, it isn’t much stronger than most decongestants out there.
2) Cold Season Yogi Tea – I am a big fan of Yogi tea and drink a wide variety of their offerings. Sometimes, I will start drinking this tea regularly to help ward of illness. I often add a few drops of Echinacea to boost its power. Add ginger or honey to boost the effects as well.
3) Celestial Seasonings Blueberry Tea – This decaffeinated tea is very soothing and relaxing; it also adds many of the health benefits of blueberry consumption – they are a great source of vitamins.
Drinks to avoid:
Although it is a bit of an old wives tale that milk causes an increase in mucus production, it still doesn’t always feel the most relaxing while you are battling a cold or flu. It might be best to hold off on milk products while you are sick if they feel a bit too heavy.
Sodas offer little nutrition, and they don’t really help you quench your thirst. You might want to wait on your drinking soda until you feel better.
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