Cozy sweaters and warm coats herald the arrival of winter, but so do dry coughs and scratchy throats. The stinging added to the coarseness leaves you exhausted coughing your last breath out.  Besides the voice actors trying to imitate a horse's sound, no one actually likes it.

In this blog, we'll try to figure out why our throats get sore and infected in the winter and what we can do to stop that from happening. Start taking notes now!

7 Ways To Maintain A Healthy Throat

As the temperature drops, flu-like symptoms tend to fill the air all around. The idea that the common cold or flu is brought on by chilly weather is untrue. However, it is true that the viruses that cause such infections thrive in dry and cold climates.  At the same time, as the air gets drier, bacterial germs spread intensively affecting the throat and causing irritation.

Anyone who suffers from a sore throat during this weather is well aware of the discomfort and itching that can accompany it. Additionally, the soreness impairs breathing functions to an extent that at times it chokes your airway. To relieve oneself from the ghastly symptoms and their impact on your lifestyle, check out these easy-to-follow tips.

1) Protect Your Throat

Timely offloading of scarves and mufflers from the closets to make them in use is the first tip, to begin with. Indeed, you should begin donning them each time you step out to bear the grunts of bitter cold. The scarf insulates and covers your throat for basic protection against the cold. Your throat will thank you once you start protecting its delicate tissues from the cold.

?Did You Know?
Heat loss from the head and neck area can account for as much as 40-50% of total body heat loss!

2) Gargle with Salt

Lukewarm salt water rinses are by far the most effective gargle to relieve you from nagging throat issues.  You can mix 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of salt into 250 g of water to gargle.

?Did You Know?
In addition to being a natural disinfectant, salt water also helps to bring down swelling in the affected area.

3) Increase Intake Of Warm Liquids

Build on the habit of sipping something hot that has antibacterial characteristics too. Just mix a tablespoon each of honey and ginger into some warm water and drinks. This throat soother works wonderfully to disinfect and retain heat. To that, you add a touch of cinnamon, which has anti-inflammatory properties.

?Did You Know?
The polyphenols and proanthocyanidins found in cinnamon work to naturally strengthen the immune system.

4) Learn To Avoid

 Avoid smoking, forgo caffeinated beverages like cold drinks and abstain from fried and fatty foods. This is due to the fact that consuming meals and beverages with excessive amounts of processed ingredients ends up hurting your throat.  Also, they act as precipitating factors for dehydration, dryness, and irritation.

Consider trying some hot beverages in addition to water at a more normal temperature.

?Did You Know?
A 2008 study found that a hot drink, like tea, helped people with cold symptoms, such as a runny nose, cough, sore throat, and fatigue, immediately and for a long time.

5) Moisture Your Air

If you have swollen tissue blocking your nose or throat and taking deep breaths is a troublesome affair. Then a gush of moist air will help relieve some of the pressure due to blockage. Turning on a humidifier boosts the quantity of moisture in the air relieving you off choking and irritation.

?Did You Know?
If you have a sore throat, dry air could be to blame, especially on the cold, dry days of winter. Having a humidifier running will keep the air moist and help clear your nasal passages.

6) Go For Extra Garlic

Taking a teaspoon of raw, crushed garlic will help relax and mend the delicate mucus membrane in your throat. It is one of the most effective remedies for sore throat as it helps loosen mucus deposits.

?Did You Know?
The germs that cause strep throat drinks eliminated with the help of allicin, an ingredient found in garlic.

7) Try The Granny’s Formula

Whiskey can help ease a sore throat and relax tense muscles. If you're suffering from a painful, scratchy throat, try mixing some honey and lemon juice with it.

?Did You Know?
Whiskey is an effective decongestant and can ease the discomfort of a cold.

Final Note

Even though seasonal changes may make sore throats a typical concern for many people, we usually continue with our regular routines.  If you want to keep the irritating and gruesome symptoms at bay, the throat needs some tender loving care (TLC). Winter is definitely here, and so is our upcoming blog on various tips to protect your throat to survive this winter!

Stay tuned for more.