It’s hard to sleep when you have a cold. Symptoms like stuffy nose can make breathing difficult, while coughing and muscle aches can keep you awake.
However, good sleep is essential for recovery. You need rest to heal.
Fortunately, there are ways to temporarily relieve symptoms and get the rest you need. Read more about how to sleep with the common cold.
- Drink warm drinks
A warm, steamy drink before bed will soothe a sore throat and the steam will ease your congestion.
Decaffeinated tea with honey is a great option. Chamomile tea, peppermint tea, and ginger tea are also good choices. They have properties that help you relax, breathe easier, and fight infection.
If you want to stay away from tea, you can drink the following.
hot water with lemon juice and honey
hot soup
low sodium soup
Aim for a warm drink 60-90 minutes before bed. Drinking fluids before bed can cause you to wake up at night to use the bathroom.
- Take NSAIDs
If you have pain, over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can help. These medications can relieve some cold symptoms, such as headache, muscle aches, earaches, and fever.
Common NSAIDs available without a prescription:
aspirin
ibuprofen (Advil, Midol, Motrin)
naproxen (Aleve)
As with any OTC medication, check the label for recommended dosage. Follow the instructions carefully.
If you have a fever, avoid using NSAIDs for more than 3 days in a row. Likewise, if you are sick, avoid using it for more than 10 days. If your symptoms persist, see your doctor.
- Use of nasal decongestants
The nasal mucosa reduces the swelling of the nasal tissue, which in turn reduces the production of mucus. This makes breathing easier, especially when trying to sleep.
Nasal decongestants are sold in pharmacies without a prescription. You can find them in the following formats:
drug
nasal spray
drop
In general, nasal decongestants are not recommended for children 3 and younger.
Long-term use may lead to worse symptoms than before treatment, so avoid using it for too long.
English