CURE A COLD IN 24 HOURS

Don't let sickness derail your festive plans

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It's that time of year. Adverts for balm-infused tissues, throat-soothing cough syrups and sprays to unblock a stuffy nose dominate the Christmas TV. Feeling dreadful? Don't be defeated here's how to beat the sniffles by tomorrow, so you can still celebrate in style.

7 AM

MEDITATE IN BED 

Can’t get out of bed yet? Try a free YouTube meditation session. Those who regularly meditated had fewer colds than those who didn’t, found a US study. ‘This could be because, under stress, your body can only deal with emergencies,’ says nutritional therapist Alison Cullen. ‘Colds become less of a priority, so your body shuts down the production of the antibodies that would fight them.’

7.30 AM 

HIT THE MEDICINE CABINET 

‘Over-the-counter painkillers can bring down a temperature and zap headaches,’ says GP Dr Sarah Jarvis. Paracetamol and inflammation-reducing ibuprofen can be used together, but be vigilant – read the packaging and speak to your pharmacist for dosage advice on taking them together. Early symptoms of a cold? A nasal spray can stop it in its tracks, adds emeritus professor Ron Eccles, former director of the Common Cold Centre at Cardiff University. Sprays can help ease congestion and flush some of the virus away.

8.30 AM

HAVE AN ICY BLAST