
At the top of the month, we find Saturn dipping back into Capricorn to revisit some themes surrounding the structure of our government and our relationship with authority. On the 5th, we've got the final Full Moon Lunar eclipse closing out the Capricorn/Cancer eclipses, making this a good time to reflect on how you've improved your approach to work-life balance. Our beloved Mercury (*rolls eyes*) finally goes direct on the 12th, shortly followed by a rare phenomenon—a double New Moon in Cancer on the 20th (the first one took place on June 21st)—making this a good time to review previously set goals. The Sun enters dazzling Leo on the 22nd, sprinkling a little extra confidence onto us to boldly move our plans forward to claim the success we deserve.
Check out how the cosmos affects your sign this month!
Aries
Laci Jordan for xoNecoleIn the beginning of the month, you'll find Saturn retrograding back into Capricorn, giving you a chance to reevaluate your career moves and redefine what success means to you. The Pluto and Jupiter conjunction encourages you to push past your fears to boldly step into your mission which may be going through some major changes at this time. On the 5th, the Full Moon Lunar Eclipse illuminates your path ahead as your public image is on the rise. Don't be afraid to say goodbye to any endeavors that you've outgrown as you continue to go through your metamorphosis.
Between the 7th and the 9th, Mercury and Mars are squaring off in the sky. Be mindful of butting heads with family members as you figure out what you really want outside of their expectations of you. Speak your piece but try not to be an asshole about it. On the 11th, Chiron begins its retrograde in your sign, bringing unresolved identity issues to the surface. It's time to consider where your true motivations lie that don't revolve around seeking validation from others. Mercury goes direct the next day, making it a good time to push your plans forward in regards to home renovations, relocation, and family planning. On the 22nd, the Sun enters Leo, inviting you to express your creativity in bold new ways.
Taurus
Laci Jordan for xoNecoleThe month opens up with Saturn dipping back into Capricorn, giving the the chance to reassess your faith. The truth can be subjective to our personal experiences so be flexible when it comes to redefining what matters to you most at this time in your life. The Pluto/Jupiter conjunction encourages you to be open-minded as you reconstruct a new perspective of the world around you. The Full Moon Lunar Eclipse on the 5th allows you to release outdated beliefs regarding the social, political, and religious ideas. If you're a writer, this energy is super supportive in helping you get your work published on a larger platform.
On the 11th, Chiron begins its retrograde through Aries which is setting you free from past life experiences that contribute to a fear of rejection for being your true self. It's time to separate yourself from the pack as an individual with your own needs, desires, and goals in mind. Mercury goes direct on the 12th, making it a great time to take a road trip to the nearest beach. On the 20th, the New Moon in Cancer invites you to recommit to your self-care in ways that empower you to express your deeper emotions through written or verbal communication. Your journal is your best friend during this time. The Sun officially enters Leo on the 22nd, bringing your attention to home and family matters. This is a good time to get into some DIY projects and to turn that humble abode into a lavish palace fit for a queen.
Gemini
Laci Jordan for xoNecoleThe month kicks off with Saturn dipping back into Capricorn, giving you the chance to reassess how you've been managing your power. Maybe you've been exerting too much control over situations or allowing others to have too much power over you. If you have any outstanding debts, now is the time to get on a payment plan to work towards your financial freedom. On the 5th, the Full Moon Lunar Eclipse illuminates a traumatic experience you've gone through but trust that when the darkness comes to the light, healing can be found. On the 11th, Chiron goes retrograde, allowing you to tend to old rejection wounds that have resulted in a social anxiety or a fear of making new friends. Your tribe is waiting on you to embrace those quirky qualities that make you the dope ass person that you are.
On the 12th, your ruling planet goes direct, moving money matters forward for you and renewing a sense of confidence in yourself after you've taken the time to nurture self-esteem. Between the 12th and 13th, the Sun and Neptune meet up in the sky, heightening your sense of optimism and magical events unfolding around you. The New Moon on the 20th invites you to set intentions for how you want to go about making money in ways that are fulfilling to your soul. Reconsider any old beliefs that require you to sacrifice your happiness and well-being for the almighty dollar. On the 22nd, the Sun enters Leo, making you a busy-body with your creative projects during the next month. On the 26th, Venus squares off with Neptune for a few days, reminding you to stay realistic about your career goals. Things may not take off overnight but slow motion is better than no motion.
Cancer
Laci Jordan for xoNecoleThe beginning of the month draws your attention to your relationship as Saturn dips back into Capricorn, making it a good time to reassess your boundaries and expectations. The Full Moon Lunar Eclipse on the 5th also highlights this area as well which could have you reconsidering whether a relationship needs to end or go to the next love. Mercury and Mars square off from the 7th-9th, resulting in a bit of friction between you and an authority figure. The pressure is on, baby. Can you stand the heat? On the 11th, Chiron goes retrograde, inviting you to reflect on past experiences in which you gave up your sense of identity to fall in line with what others' vision of success was for you.
Mercury goes direct on the 12th, accelerating your personal interactions with others and sharpening your mind as well. Use this energy to study, write, or teach others about something you're an expert on. Around the same time, the Sun trines Neptune, inspiring you to push beyond your intellectual and spiritual boundaries. You're at one with your Higher Self and the wisdom you gain can be shared on a wider platform through a book, blog, or podcast. On the 20th, you get the gift of a second New Moon in your sign, inviting you to assert yourself more confidently in the world. Come on out of that shell, my love. The Sun officially enters Leo on the 22nd, shifting your attention to using your creative gifts for financial gain. This fiery energy will give you all the confidence you need to boldly tap in.
Leo
Laci Jordan for xoNecoleAt the beginning of the month, your focus is shifting to readjusting your boundaries with work and your physical health. Try to find a better balance that enables you to get to the money and also get in a few workouts on a weekly basis. On the 5th, the Full Moon Lunar Eclipse can reveal the root of any health concerns, leading you to make changes in your diet and routines. Between the 7th and 9th, Mercury and Mars square off, encouraging you to slow down when it comes to your reactions. Someone around you may feel like they know best—particularly when it comes to your spiritual journey. Choose your battles wisely in defending your own beliefs as it may not even be worth your energy.
On the 11th, Chiron goes retrograde, giving you the opportunity to release any fears about walking your own spiritual path—however different it may be from the status quo. Mercury goes direct the next day, making you more confident in the messages you're receiving from the spiritual realm. Your mantra? I am my own guru. The New Moon on the 20th initiates you deeper into your spiritual growth through your connection with your ancestors. It's time to get that altar set up and don't forget your offerings! On the 22nd, your birthday season officially begins, giving you a boost of energy and showering you with all of the attention you deserve.
Virgo
Laci Jordan for xoNecoleJuly begins with Saturn dipping back into Capricorn, inviting you to redefine your relationship with your creativity and inner child. This may also be a time in which you reassert your boundaries in dating so you can actually align with the kind of relationship you desire. When Jupiter and Pluto meet up in the sky, you can transform some of those painful love lessons into wisdom that can be shared through your creative medium of choice. Who knows? You could be sitting on the self-love anthem of the year. On the 11th, Chiron goes retrograde, inviting you to reclaim your sexuality in a way that feels right for you which involves you reassessing various taboos about this very natural aspect of life.
The next day, Mercury goes direct, making you more clear about the friendships you want to nurture more moving into this next season of your life. You'll likely find yourself prioritizing more emotionally nurturing connections at this time. On the 20th, the New Moon has you open to exploring new friendships that align with your mission of offering healing to the collective in some shape or form. As the Sun moves into Leo on the 22nd, you may notice your energy levels wane as you focus more on rest and self-care in preparation for your solar return next month.
Libra
Laci Jordan for xoNecoleOn the 1st of the month, Saturn dips back into Capricorn to continue its retrograde which invites you to reassess your boundaries with your family and home matters. This is a good time to restructure your routine by prioritizing more discipline in your life—especially if you're working from home. You may also need to chat with your roommate to work out any kinks regarding your interactions with one another and household responsibilities. On the 5th, the Full Moon Lunar Eclipse can suggest a relocation on the horizon if you've outgrown the space or people you live with. Mercury and Mars will link up between the 7th and 9th, encouraging you to be mindful of your reactions with bae, a business partner, and your social network. Take a deep breath and count to ten to ensure that you communicate from a more thoughtful space.
Chiron, the wounded healer, goes retrograde on the 11th, helping you sift through identity issues and ways that you enmesh with others—specifically in committed relationships. It's important that you still maintain a sense of autonomy even within your partnerships. On the 12th, Mercury goes direct, helping you get clear about your career trajectory and how you can heal, support, and nurture others in the work that you do. The New Moon on the 20th brings about a new opportunity that allows you to put these skills to the test. On the 22nd, the Sun enters Leo, making you the center of attention, and a valuable source of inspiration, for your friends. When you dream big, you motivate others to do so as well.
Scorpio
Laci Jordan for xoNecoleThe month kicks off with Saturn retrograde moving back into Capricorn which is helping you get more centered in your thought process. When we talk about boundaries, we usually think of asserting them in response to other people but the attention is more so on you during this transit. How do you overstep your own boundaries by engaging in self-talk that is not beneficial for you? The Full Moon Lunar Eclipse on the 5th will expose the more critical side of yourself that needs to be uprooted for you to embrace the power of your imperfections with more grace. On the 11th, Chiron goes retrograde, giving you the chance to heal any harmful ways you've identified with your physical body due to the projections of other people's standards.
Mercury goes direct on the 12th, making this a great time to get your work published, teach a workshop, or mentor someone who looks up to you. Your ancestors are working through you at this time so make sure you're sharing the wisdom you're receiving. When the Sun and Neptune meet up around the 12th and 13th, you're feeling super creative and in your feels, making this a good time to go on a romantic getaway or even plan something Rona-friendly at home. The New Moon on the 22nd may be calling you on a spiritual pilgrimage or cultural exchange that allows you to experience connectedness to your fellow human beings. When the Sun enters Leo on the 22nd, your motivation is to make some career moves that can catapult you into the spotlight.
Sagittarius
Laci Jordan for xoNecoleJuly begins with Saturn retrograde dipping back into Capricorn, making it a good time for you to reassess your money management habits as well as your values. What does a prosperous life look like to you and is it solely based upon your material assets? On the 5th, the Full Moon Lunar Eclipse illuminates some problem areas that you need to rectify which could involve paying off debt or asserting boundaries between you and someone that you share your financial resources with. On the 11th, Chiron goes retrograde, inviting you to address your inner child wounds that make you feel like you need to fit in with the crowd to be accepted. By doing so, you'll experience a breakthrough of creative energy that allows you to boldly express yourself moving forward.
On the 11th, Mercury goes direct, making you curious about exploring the mysteries of life and of others, as well as your desire to go beneath the surface is intensified. The New Moon on the 20th, could mark a transformational time in which you commit to bettering your psychological wellness through therapy or spirituality. On the 22nd, the Sun enters Leo, motivating you to absorb as much wisdom as possible through seminars, books, and even a mentor. You could even find yourself in a teaching position as you use your life experiences to inspire those around you. When Venus and Neptune square off between the 26th and 27th, be realistic when it comes to your expectations about love. You may be in for a reality check as you get more clear about the direction a partnership is headed in.
Capricorn
Laci Jordan for xoNecoleThe beginning of the month centers around you as your ruling planet, Saturn, dips back into your sign in the midst of its retrograde. Re-examine what, and who, really matters to you as you readjust your boundaries with your work, health, and relationships. On the 5th, the Full Moon Lunar Eclipse has you feeling the need to revamp your image or personality. How would you like to present yourself in the world a little differently? Between the 7th and 9th, Mercury and Mars square off which could result in some family drama or tension with a roommate. Pause, take a deep breath, and count to ten before you respond.
On the 11th, Chiron goes retrograde, encouraging you to address emotional wounds that make you feel like the black sheep of the family. Reframe your perspective by considering the leadership role you're meant to fulfill in healing generational trauma and ushering a better way forward. Mercury goes direct on the 12th, helping you smooth out any friction with bae or your business partner. Embrace a softer approach to these connections to help them blossom into deeper levels of intimacy. On the 20th, the New Moon helps you (re)establish a commitment making this a great time to renew your vows, tie the knot, or say "yes" to that amazing business proposition. When the Sun enters Leo on the 22nd, you are irresistible and horny af. Whether you're booed up or single, prioritize sexual pleasure in the month ahead.
Aquarius
Laci Jordan for xoNecoleThe month begins with Saturn retrograde moving back into Capricorn, inviting you to face those skeletons in your closet related to control issues, authority figures, and excessive materialism. The Full Moon Lunar Eclipse on the 5th encourages you to find the balance between your work and your home life making it a good time to prioritize your rest and spiritual practices that keep you grounded. On the 11th, Chiron goes retrograde giving you the chance to heal any anxiety related to being criticized by others for being different in comparison to the status quo.
Mercury, the messenger, goes direct on the 12th, encouraging you to prioritize more nurturing activities in your daily routine that can benefit your physical and mental wellness. On the 20th, the New Moon invites you to explore different ways you can nurture yourself and others through acts of service, your diet, and your exercise routine. This could be a great time to get an emotional support pet if you've been feeling a little lonely. When the Sun enters Leo on the 22nd, you're bossing up with an amazing business partnership and maybe even a generous lover ready to shower you with all of the attention you deserve.
Pisces
Laci Jordan for xoNecoleJuly kicks off with Saturn retrograde transiting back into Capricorn, giving you a chance to redefine your boundaries with friends as well as your efforts made towards some of those longer-term goals of yours. Rome wasn't built overnight. Take the small, consistent steps towards your goals and you're bound to experience success in due time. On the 5th, the Full Moon Lunar Eclipse invites you to expand your social circle by letting go of the dead weight and embracing new connections. You'll also get clear on which relationships actually just need a little more of your time and energy for them to fully flourish.
On the 11th, Chiron goes retrograde, encouraging you to embrace your own values and release any resentment you have towards those who rejected you for asserting your own individuality. By no means are you anyone to just follow along with the crowd so take pride in that regardless of what other people think. Mercury officially goes direct the next day, helping you smooth out things with a romantic interest. This is also a good time to nurture your inner child so you can tap into your creative genius. The New Moon on the 20th invites you to enroll in those dance classes, record that song, or paint that masterpiece. When the Sun enters Leo, you'll be focused on improving your health and your daily routines so they support the momentum you're building up towards accomplishing your dreams.
Featured image by Laci Jordan for xoNecole
Because We Are Still IT, Girl: It Girl 100 Returns
Last year, when our xoNecole team dropped our inaugural It Girl 100 honoree list, the world felt, ahem, a bit brighter.
It was March 2024, and we still had a Black woman as the Vice President of the United States. DEI rollbacks weren’t being tossed around like confetti. And more than 300,000 Black women were still gainfully employed in the workforce.
Though that was just nineteen months ago, things were different. Perhaps the world then felt more receptive to our light as Black women.
At the time, we launched It Girl 100 to spotlight the huge motion we were making as dope, GenZennial Black women leaving our mark on culture. The girls were on the rise, flourishing, drinking their water, minding their business, leading companies, and learning to do it all softly, in rest. We wanted to celebrate that momentum—because we love that for us.
So, we handpicked one hundred It Girls who embody that palpable It Factor moving through us as young Black women, the kind of motion lighting up the world both IRL and across the internet.
It Girl 100 became xoNecole’s most successful program, with the hashtag organically reaching more than forty million impressions on Instagram in just twenty-four hours. Yes, it caught on like wildfire because we celebrated some of the most brilliant and influential GenZennial women of color setting trends and shaping culture. But more than that, it resonated because the women we celebrated felt seen.
Many were already known in their industries for keeping this generation fly and lit, but rarely received recognition or flowers. It Girl 100 became a safe space to be uplifted, and for us as Black women to bask in what felt like an era of our brilliance, beauty, and boundless influence on full display.
And then, almost overnight, it was as if the rug was pulled from under us as Black women, as the It Girls of the world.
Our much-needed, much-deserved season of ease and soft living quickly metamorphosed into a time of self-preservation and survival. Our motion and economic progression seemed strategically slowed, our light under siege.
The air feels heavier now. The headlines colder. Our Black girl magic is being picked apart and politicized for simply existing.
With that climate shift, as we prepare to launch our second annual It Girl 100 honoree list, our team has had to dig deep on the purpose and intention behind this year’s list. Knowing the spirit of It Girl 100 is about motion, sauce, strides, and progression, how do we celebrate amid uncertainty and collective grief when the juice feels like it is being squeezed out of us?
As we wrestled with that question, we were reminded that this tension isn’t new. Black women have always had to find joy in the midst of struggle, to create light even in the darkest corners. We have carried the weight of scrutiny for generations, expected to be strong, to serve, to smile through the sting. But this moment feels different. It feels deeply personal.
We are living at the intersection of liberation and backlash. We are learning to take off our capes, to say no when we are tired, to embrace softness without apology.
And somehow, the world has found new ways to punish us for it.

In lifestyle, women like Kayla Nicole and Ayesha Curry have been ridiculed for daring to choose themselves. Tracee Ellis Ross was labeled bitter for speaking her truth about love. Meghan Markle, still, cannot breathe without critique.
In politics, Kamala Harris, Letitia James, and Jasmine Crockett are dragged through the mud for standing tall in rooms not built for them.
In sports, Angel Reese, Coco Gauff, and Taylor Townsend have been reminded that even excellence will not shield you from racism or judgment.

In business, visionaries like Diarrha N’Diaye-Mbaye and Melissa Butler are fighting to keep their dreams alive in an economy that too often forgets us first.
Even our icons, Beyoncé, Serena, and SZA, have faced criticism simply for evolving beyond the boxes society tried to keep them in.
From everyday women to cultural phenoms, the pattern is the same. Our light is being tested.

And yet, somehow, through it all, we are still showing up as that girl, and that deserves to be celebrated.
Because while the world debates our worth, we keep raising our value. And that proof is all around us.
This year alone, Naomi Osaka returned from motherhood and mental health challenges to reach the semifinals of the US Open. A’ja Wilson claimed another MVP, reminding us that beauty and dominance can coexist. Brandy and Monica are snatching our edges on tour. Kahlana Barfield Brown sold out her new line in the face of a retailer that had been canceled. And Melissa Butler’s company, The Lip Bar, is projecting a forty percent surge in sales.

We are no longer defining strength by how much pain we can endure. We are defining it by the unbreakable light we continue to radiate.
We are the women walking our daily steps and also continuing to run solid businesses. We are growing in love, taking solo trips, laughing until it hurts, raising babies and ideas, drinking our green juice, and praying our peace back into existence.
We are rediscovering the joy of rest and realizing that softness is not weakness, it is strategy.
And through it all, we continue to lift one another. Emma Grede is creating seats at the table. Valeisha Butterfield has started a fund for jobless Black women. Arian Simone is leading in media with fearless conviction. We are pouring into each other in ways the world rarely sees but always feels.

So yes, we are in the midst of societal warfare. Yes, we are being tested. Yes, we are facing economic strain, political targeting, and public scrutiny. But even war cannot dim a light that is divinely ours.
And we are still shining.
And we are still softening.
And we are still creating.
And we are still It.

That is the quiet magic of Black womanhood, our ability to hold both truth and triumph in the same breath, to say yes, and to life’s contradictions.
It is no coincidence that this year, as SheaMoisture embraces the message “Yes, And,” they stand beside us as partners in celebrating this class of It Girls. Because that phrase, those two simple words, capture the very essence of this moment.
Yes, we are tired. And we are still rising.
Yes, we are questioned. And we are the answer.
Yes, we are bruised. And we are still beautiful.

This year’s It Girl 100 is more than a list. It is a love letter to every Black woman who dares to live out loud in a world that would rather she whisper. This year’s class is living proof of “Yes, And,” women who are finding ways to thrive and to heal, to build and to rest, to lead and to love, all at once.
It is proof that our joy is not naive, our success not accidental. It is the reminder that our light has never needed permission.
So without further ado, we celebrate the It Girl 100 Class of 2025–2026.
We celebrate the millions of us who keep doing it with grace, grit, and glory.
Because despite it all, we still shine.
Because we are still her.
Because we are still IT, girl.
Meet all 100 women shaping culture in the It Girl 100 Class of 2025. View the complete list of honorees here.
Featured image by xoStaff
I seriously doubt that it will come as a shock to anyone reading this that the “official” cold (and flu) seasons are considered to be during the fall and wintertime. However, what kinda tripped me out is that there really are only a few months of the year when we aren’t susceptible to catching a cold: May-July. SMDH.
Know what else is wild about colds? They have five stages: incubation (1-2 days); symptom onset (1-2 days); peak symptoms (1-2 days); plateau (2-3 days), and recovery (3-5 days) — and that is why, sometimes, it can seem like it takes FOREVER to get over a cold. Also, SMDH.
Luckily, there are some things that you can do to either speed up the healing process of a cold or make having one more bearable than usual. Things that are affordable, all-natural, and easy to incorporate into your daily routine.
Are you ready to know how to nip a damn cold in the bud…before you even get one?
Here ya go.
1. Fire Cider

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Two drinks that I am gonna drink all the way down, each and every fall season, are hot chocolate and apple cider (that’s warmed up). So, when I read about something called “fire cider,” it absolutely caught my attention. If you’re not familiar with it, fire cider is a homemade drink that consists of things like apple cider vinegar, herbs and other ingredients that are specifically designed to boost your immune system.
I won’t lie to you — since some of the traditional recipes contain things like onion and garlic (sulfur has potent medicinal properties) and sometimes even hot peppers (which help to clear up congestion) — although fire cider might not be your favorite as far as your palate is concerned, the viruses (because there are reportedly somewhere around 200 of ‘em) that cause colds will lose a lot of their impact if you drink this; and that makes it worth a shot — well, swallow. Some fire cider recipes can be found here, here and here.
2. Probiotics
A few years ago, I wrote an article for the platform entitled, “80% Of Your Immunity Is In Your Gut. Take Care Of It Like This.” — and that alone should explain why and how a probiotic can help to prevent colds and make it easier to get over them. The reality is that a healthy gut is what helps to monitor how your immune system reacts and responds to harmful pathogens that may try and get into your system, including ones that cause the common cold.
And since probiotics feed your gut with “good bacteria,” this gives your gut the ability to be better (and quicker) at fighting off the bad. So yeah, take a probiotic — all of the time and definitely while you have a cold. It helps.
3. Peppermint (or Eucalyptus) Oil

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Although I rarely get sick (praise the Lord!), when I do catch a cold, I think what I hate the most is not being able to comfortably breathe. Well, something that is proven to help with that is peppermint essential oil. That’s because it contains properties that act as a natural decongestant as well as a fever reducer. Another essential oil that can hook you up in this department is eucalyptus oil. It’s bomb because it helps to soothe a nagging cough, it can clear up chest congestion and ultimately makes it easier to breathe.
So, before turning in at night, either mix a few drops of one (or both) of these oils with a carrier oil like grapeseed, avocado or jojoba, warm it up for 10 seconds in the microwave and apply it to the sides of your nose or on your best or back. Or put the oil in a diffuser. It can quickly ease cold-related symptoms while also making it so much easier for you to rest (which is something else your body needs to get over a cold; more on that in a sec).
4. Zinc Lozenges
Zinc is a mineral that helps to keep your immune system healthy and strong — and since a weakened immunity is directly connected to having more colds (2-4 a year is considered to be “normal,” by the way), it’s always a good idea to have some zinc in your body. As it relates to colds, specifically, aside from the fact that zinc can help you from catching one to begin with, there are also studies which say that sucking on zinc lozenges can help to shorten the timespan of a cold as well.
To be fair, some people have said that zinc lozenges make them feel nauseated; however, everything has its pros and cons and so, how would you know if you’re one of these folks unless you try it? Oh, and while we are on this topic, there are also zinc supplements and foods that are high in zinc (like red meat, lentils, hemp seeds, cashews and quinoa) if you want to try and get more zinc into your system that way (although lozenges are gonna be your best bet on the shortening tip; just sayin’).
5. Foods Rich in Vitamin C

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Speaking of foods that can fight a cold, out of all of what you’ve read here, probably what you are quite familiar with is the fact that vitamin C and colds are mortal enemies. In fact, one pretty significant study says that by taking one gram of vitamin C a day during a cold, you can reduce the severity of your symptoms by as much as 15 percent.
That’s because vitamin C is packed with antioxidants, it helps to reduce bodily inflammation and it helps to strengthen your immunity too. Foods that are full of vitamin C include chili and yellow peppers, kale, kiwi, papaya, broccoli, kale and citrus fruits.
6. Elderberry Tea
If you’re someone who likes to put preserves on your biscuits or toast, have you ever tried one that is made from elderberries (recipe here)? It’s actually pretty good — and good for you because elderberries are high in vitamin C, fiber and antioxidants. And that is why they are great whenever you are trying to hurry up and get over a cold because they also contain properties that are literally antiviral — and since a cold is a virus…well, there you have it.
One of the best ways to get elderberries into your system? Elderberry tea. If you add honey to it, honey can help to shorten symptoms like a stuffy nose, sore throat and cough by 1-2 days. Very cool.
7. REST

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Did you know that even one day of not getting the sleep that you need to weaken your immune system and increase bodily inflammation at the same time too? That’s because one of the benefits of a good night’s rest is it rejuvenates and recharges your system, so that your immunity can work at its optimal level.
Not only that but, according to science, if you already have a cold, getting plenty of rest can benefit you on a few different levels as well. First, your cytokines (proteins that boost your immunity) are released when you sleep.
Second, your body temperature elevates enough to kill some of the bacteria and viruses that are making you sick. Finally, sleep provides you with the energy that you need in order to get through the day while you are healing from your sickness. So, if you want to get through your cold ASAP, be intentional about getting as much rest as you possibly can.
BONUS: A Humidifier
When you get a chance, please check out “10 Really Good Reasons To Get Yourself A Humidifier This Fall”. There really are all kinds of solid reasons to invest in a humidifier around this time of the year — and one of them is to make getting through the cold (and flu) season so much easier for you. Since humidifiers bring moisture into the air, that can help to loosen up congestion, soothe an irritated throat, decrease coughing, help with the healing process of respiratory infections and it can help you to sleep better — so that you can get past your cold sooner.
So, if you don’t already have a humidifier, cop one ASAP. Your future colds will absolutely hate that you did. LOL. For a list of some highly recommended humidifiers that are currently on the market, click here.
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Featured image by Casper1774 Studio/Shutterstock









