Buzz
A cold is a viral infection, so there’s not much you can do to make it vanish instantly. This means that many of the so-called miracle cures—like vitamin C, essential oils, and elderberry syrup—may only be giving you the sensation of feeling better, but not actually curing your cold. Since feeling better is the goal, here’s how you can achieve that effect, whether or not you find yourself rushing to the drugstore at night for a pricey placebo.
Before we dive in, let’s clarify what the placebo effect really is. A placebo, often a sugar pill, is used in medical trials as if it were real medicine, even though it contains no active ingredient. Its purpose is to isolate the effects of actual medication from the subtle improvement that people may feel simply because they believe they’re being treated.
A major component of the placebo effect lies in the power of positive thinking, which you can tap into with certain psychological strategies. Another key part of it is recognizing that the placebo effect is a broad term for everything that influences your well-being, from medical treatments to other factors. Here’s how to make it work for you.
Expect to improve soon
For most of us, a cold is only going to stick around for a few days—maybe a week or two at most. If you power through until you're feeling absolutely awful, then try a remedy like tea that's supposed to make you feel better, you’ll likely wake up the next day feeling somewhat improved. Whether the tea had any effect or not, your recovery was going to happen eventually.
In the end, you were going to feel better anyway. And by nature, your worst day will always be followed by a better one. So when you're feeling down, find comfort in the fact that soon enough, you'll feel better.
Seek out a comforting sensory experience that reminds you of being cared for
Our minds form powerful associations. If your mom used to make you chicken soup when you were sick as a child, that might still bring you comfort today—not only because of the taste but due to the memories attached. Even if you're miserable while battling a cold at work or on your commute, the moment you cozy up with a blanket and have some soup, you’ll think, 'Ah, finally, I’m taking care of myself.'
Perhaps you've grown accustomed to a particular placebo that makes you feel like you're doing something purposeful and active. No one takes an Airborne tablet dissolved in water for its taste or because they feel connected to the Target where they bought it, but maybe it gives you the sense of being in a chemistry lab, mixing up a remedy and dosing yourself with it.
If that works for you, go ahead and use it. But keep in mind, it doesn’t have to be tied to any specific product. You can create your own concoction, like mixing honey with hot tea, or tap into another childhood memory. Do you enjoy making lists? Curl up with a blanket and jot down a list of experiences that make you feel nurtured.
Stop doing things that make you miserable.
If you swear by a placebo but absolutely despise it, it’s time to stop using it. If you feel nauseous but can’t stand ginger ale, get rid of it. Doing things you loathe isn’t going to help you feel better (unless we're talking about medically prescribed treatments, which, of course, is not the subject here). In fact, it could actually make you feel worse, thanks to something known as the nocebo effect.
If you have a ritual you dread but always follow, replace it with something you enjoy. If someone gives you a natural cough syrup with a taste you can’t stand, quietly dispose of it after they leave.
Prioritize a balanced diet and restful sleep for a healthier life.
Taking care of yourself often boils down to simple, intuitive actions rather than specific solutions or magical cures. If you're relying on your regular routines, you're probably already doing things that make a real difference—getting proper rest, staying hydrated, and giving yourself time off when needed. Stay warm. Recharge. You’ve got this.
