I have been sick for what seems like ONE HUNDRED years. It’s nothing crazy like that pig flu but it still sucks bad.
Basically I have a glorified head cold that never goes away. I think it does…then the sniffling and the watery eyes make their return. On top of that, I have developed this cough that only comes at night. It keeps me up. All night. Long.
The Chef left 3 days ago and I think I have slept for about 5 hours. Last night I lost my mind. The kids haven’t been sleeping well and I am, frankly, a hot hot mess. I just kept coughing and coughing and coughing. I had to do something so I went on my brand new computer (thanks chef!) and searched for tips on how to make a night cough disappear. As I googled my brains out I kept coming up on this site that swore putting Vick’s VapoRub on your feet would make the cough disappear therefore allowing sleep. Having tried everything (besides going to the doctor) I gave it a chance. I slathered Vick’s all over my feet (tweeting while doing so), put socks on, and closed my eyes.
I woke up 8 hours later to a grumpy 4 year old and a naked singing toddler. Thank you Vicks VapoRub. Thank you.
But WHY?
I’ve tried that before. I remember going to an essential oils class where the instructor told us that if you put essential oils on your feet, they travel throughout your body in 20 mins. That like with reflexology, the soles of your feet are connected to your entire body. I have absolutely no proof of that but if it gets you a good night of sleep, who cares?
when I had my cough for like 3 months the wifey’s mom told me to do that but it really did nothing to help. Of course it was like the super villains of coughs so that may be why.
My grandma would always lather us up in Vicks when we were sick as kids–or at least plaster it under our noses, which I still do, but the feet trick is the best. I totally buy it! It’s worked for me and my son and even my skeptical husband. Supposedly it’s a bunch of bunk, but whatever. Placebo or not, I swear by it. And my mother-in-law is a convert because she was watching my son overnight when he had a terrible cough and she figured “what can it hurt?” Sure enough, he slept soundly and so did she!
I did the SAME thing last night and the hubs thought I was loosing my mind! But it worked… Also – for a cough, you should take a tablespoon of honey… it coats your throat… It works too!
Get Well Soon!
ALU
That makes sense, I was kind of thinking along those lines as well.
CP
I can’t believe it didn’t work for you. I have super cough as well and you couldn’t hear a peep from me after the VVR.
Kristenwags
I was always raised on it however I had never heard of the feet thing. I’m actually looking forward to sleeping tonight!
Megan
I am a huge honey person but that wasn’t cutting it. Lucy from Ohio Honey is a friend and recently gave me propolois which has saved me life numerous times this season. I highly recommend it!
It works like a charm on the kiddies too. I always lather up baby girl’s feet (under socks) when she has a cold.
Why does it work? I think it’s just the soothing effect of the camphor???
That’s craziness. Vicks on your feet? sounds insane . I’m definitely going to try it next time I have a cough, though!
Nuh.uh!
glad you finally got some sleep! for the nose/eyes have you tried the neti pot? i swear by mine as i have the worst sinus problems and allergies. it’s amazing! it sometimes warrants a good moan.
Amelia – I’m totally going to look into propolois… my husband just got a job at the Ohio Farm Bureau and his boss’ husband is a beekeeper… maybe I can get my little hands on some, too!
Hope you are feeling better!
M<3
I’ve totally heard that this works! Never tried it, but it sounds sooo soothing and WHO couldn’t use more soothing?