Vitamin C can help boost your immune system, and there's research that supports the fact that it may even shorten the duration of your cold. Of course, foods are always the best way to get your vitamins. The best sources for vitamin C? Strawberries, curly kale, kiwi, red and yellow peppers, tomatoes, and of course, oranges.
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Drink (or Eat) Hot Liquids
Drinking hot tea or sipping on some of mom's chicken noodle soup (or trendy bone broth!) prevents dehydration and soothes irritated throats. If you can't sleep, try a hot toddy — tea, honey, and last but not least. and a shot of whiskey.
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Nasal Irrigation
To help with congestion, you can use saline sprays, drops from the pharmacy, or even a Neti pot with distilled or sterilized water. These nasal irrigation techniques help greatly with stuffy noses, since it clears your nasal passages to help you to breathe easier.
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Vitamin D
Sunlight helps your body process vitamin D, and a deficiency of this vitamin is linked to common colds. If you live somewhere that doesn't get much sunlight during the fall and winter months, it may be a good idea to look into vitamin D supplement options.
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Zinc
Some studies suggest that zinc can shorten the duration of your cold. You can find lozenges, supplements, or even nasal sprays — and start taking them as soon as you feel a cold coming on!
