Today I have renamed myself Grotty Mcgrot Bags.

Not because my face has suddenly turned a florescent colour green (I like to save that for my facebook page..), but because this cold has shown no signs of shifting and I feel grotty! I have soldiered on regardless today at work, and actually been surprisingly productive. But as soon as I came home, I fell into a ball of self pity and carbohydrate cravings.

I am too tired to write, and too tired to relieve my summer cold symptoms! So in this situation – of lifeless and coldy despair – here are 5 of my natural (and incredibly lazy) remedies for busting a summer cold: 

1. Yoga poses

I really don’t need much excuse to do yoga anyway, but it also happens to be one of the most sedentary forms of cold busting exercise; not just for achy limbs, but for stuffy heads and tight breath too.

The fish pose, for example, is fantastic for opening up the airways and can be done whilst lay in bed with your PJs on! Supported bridge, forward (or seated) bend and hand/hand stands against the wall are also great for clearing your head. Just don’t get too ambitious and launch into a full yoga routine; you’ll regret it, believe me!

2. DIY Head Massage

You may not believe this, but I am a bit of a hippy when it comes to taking medicinal drugs (who me, a hippy? shock horror!). And as such, I have always fought to relieve my own headaches before turning to the pills. for me, gentle face and head massages on my pressure points have been just as effective (and sometimes faster) than taking a pain killer.

Start by closing your eyes and massage your finger tips along your temples and eye brows. Slowly, but firmly, press and hold into the small ridges (lymph nodes) along these points. They may feel tender at first, but after a few deep breathes you will begin to fill the pain dull. Massaging a little of your favourite smelling oil along your hairline and temples also helps to soothe a headache.

3. Drink away the pain

No, I don’t mean with wine….though sometimes that helps! But keeping yourself hydrated is one of the worlds most underrated natural cure for a summer cold. Especially if it feels like you’re losing 4 pints of fluids through your nostrils!

Water is a must, but herbal and fruit teas are good too. Cold lemon, orange and ginger juice has been my drink of choice so  far as it’s so soothing but gives you a perky pick me up.

4. Get steamy

A steamy shower or bath moisturisers your nasal passages and helps with congestion. And lets be honest, I really don’t need an excuse to lay back and relax in a hot bath.

Just a word of warning though. If you are a already feeling dizzy from the flu, keep the bathroom window open a little to get a fresh breeze coming through.

5. Rest up surrounded by pillows

Help your immune system do the job it was made to do, and sit back and rest. Sometimes we can get all in a fluster trying to fight through, stressing about how to remedy our symptoms, we forget to let our body do the hard work for us.

When you do give up control and admit defeat (just for a little while…) do so in style with lots of fluffy, fresh pillows. Add just one extra pillow under your head when you sleep. Your sinuses will find it easier to drain, your breathing will become less taxing and you will ultimately have a deeper rest than if you were tossing and turning with the snivels!

Think of any other lazy, natural cold remedy ideas?

Please let me know as soon as you can! I am going to see one of my favourite bands tomorrow night, and I would be very mad at myself if I couldn’t hear them over the blowing of my own nose!!