Jaime Schmidt, our boss and founder of Schmidt’s Naturals, is not-so-secretly a health guru. Whenever we ask questions — from what does ashwagandha even taste like?, to what’s the best seat to pick on a long flight ? — group consensus is always to “just ask Jaime.” And answers she has. We thought, if Jaime has the solutions to our questions, maybe she could answer yours, too. Submit your questions for Jaime in the comments, or tweet @TheNaturalMag (Opens in a new window) with #JustAskJaime.
Jaime Schmidt, Founder and Chief Product Officer of Schmidt’s Naturals
We asked…
“I’ve gargled salt water, chugged turmeric tea, face planted in a neti pot, and I still experience colds that feel like they last forever. What are some easier ways to kick a cold before it even starts?”
Jaime says…
Over the years I’ve picked up some tips and tricks that are honestly pretty simple, but have always worked for me. Apart from making sure I’m constantly washing my hands, I typically stick to five rules:
- Sweat it out. I try and fit in a good spin class when I feel a cold coming on. The exercise paired with proper hydration helps break up congestion and gets endorphins going. Plus, it feels like the virus is getting kicked right out of my body. Another easy way to clear up congestion is to hit the steam room. It may even put you to sleep (see tip #4).
- Chinese medicine. I swear by a supplement called “yin chiao (Opens in a new window)”. It’s made up of natural herbs like honeysuckle (anti-inflammatory) and balloon flower (natural expectorant). Seriously, this stuff works — at the first sign of a cold, I start taking 3 pills, every three hours. It’s never failed me.
- Hydration. I reach for water constantly as my drink of choice, but I kick it up a notch if I feel like I’m getting sick. I’ve been known to chug glasses of water two at a time and bring a water bottle everywhere I go. It’s the most basic yet effective tip. But I’ve got to say, if it’s a Saturday night and cocktails are on the menu, I might just reach for a screwdriver to get a little extra boost of vitamin C. 😊
- Sleep. I try to prioritize getting a good night’s sleep, sick or not. The number of hours varies person to person (I’m a 7 to 8 hours a night girl, no less!), but sleep is so essential for keeping your immune defenses up. Even the mental boost of knowing I’m well rested helps me feel like I have the upper hand on a cold. I try to listen to my body to know when I should rest or slow down, and I swear by my sound machine (Opens in a new window) if I’m having any trouble falling asleep.
- Mind over matter. Try to avoid the paranoia over getting sick. It’s bound to happen, but I try and not let a few sniffles get in the way of a good day. Compensate for the struggles of cold symptoms in other ways, like wearing something comfortable. I also prefer using linen handkerchiefs instead of tissues. They’re gentler and less drying for your nose, and you’ll avoid having that telltale mound of tissues building up in your trash basket. (P.S. If anyone knows of a fashionable women’s handkerchief brand, let me know!)
While we appreciate Jaime’s perspective on our lives and underarms, Jaime is not a doctor. For questions about your health, please seek advice from a medical professional. For more from Jaime, follow her on Instagram (Opens in a new window).
