How Runners Can Beat a Cough and Cold Naturally

This post is sponsored by Maty’s Healthy Products. Find more on our sponsored post policy here.

It’s a gorgeous time of year to run. Unless you have a cold and a cough. In which case, it’s a gorgeous time to longingly look outside at the gorgeous leaves falling in the sunshine and wish you felt well enough to jog.

Just kidding! That’s how things used to be. Before we found Maty’s Organic Cough Syrup and  All Natural Vapor Rub. It has made our running lives so much better, and the fact that it’s all natural puts even more pep in our step.

And, guys, I say this from experience. Like, the experience of getting Gwen’s back-to-school germs and coming down with a gross cold and cough that not only kept me off of my usual jogging trails and out of the gym, but also up at night. Like, all night coughing.

You know what’s not fun? Hacking at 2 a.m. and then sleeping on the couch because you don’t want to keep the rest of your family up all night. So when I say that these two Maty’s Healthy Products kept me sane, rested and able to stay active, well, they really did. Sanity savers! (Side note: I also swear by this for Gwen — both back then and now.)

Here’s a little bit more on each product and why each one is now a staple in my medicine cabinet — and healthy lifestyle.

Maty’s Organic Cough Syrup

Instead of taking something with a ton of chemicals to beat a cough, this organic cough syrup is made of organic honey and 10 immune boosters that you can actually pronounce and probably even have in your pantry, like apple cider vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, cayenne pepper, lemon peel, cinnamon, clove and marjoram.

And unlike other drugstore brands, a two-teaspoon serving goes down easy. It’s sweet and thick like honey but has a little bit of zing from the spices, and it instantly soothed my dry scratchy throat. I mean, this is the only certified organic cough syrup sold nationwide and it works. A spoonful of this and I could finally SLEEP, which allowed me to get back out running faster. Another fun fact I love (and actually need)? It’s gluten-free!

Maty’s All Natural Vapor Rub

When I was younger, I used to use a certain brand-name vapor rub all the time. And I loved how it seemed to work almost immediately. Now that I’m older though, I pay more attention to labels. And I certainly don’t want to be putting drugs, parabens, phthalates, chemicals, artificial colors or petroleum directly on my skin. Which is why I fell in love with Maty’s All Natural Vapor Rub.

It gives you basically instant congestion relief, doesn’t have any of that icky stuff in it and even helps to boost immune function with a variety of fantastic smelling essential oils (think peppermint, pine and eucalyptus). Before bed, or really any time I’m feeling stuffy, a little of this on my chest or the bottom of my feet (sounds weird but it works), and I get the quick relief I need.

5 Other Get-Well Musts

1. Rest. Naps and extra sleep are essential. And, for getting that, those products above are essential.

2. Tea. Especially with honey or the Organic Cough Syrup, which dissolves awesomely in tea and tastes great.

3. Support. Now is not the time to try to be Wonder Woman. Accept help from friends and loved ones and try to take it easy.

4. A trip to the doc if things aren’t getting better within a few days. Listen to your body, always.

5. Water. Get those fluids!

How You Can Try Maty’s Yourself

Maty’s is giving away a whole kit of its natural products. Enter to win here! And be sure to follow Maty’s on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest. They’re always up to something awesome.

How do you beat a cough or cold so that you’re back out and running? I’m so happy to have these two products in my feel-better arsenal now! —Jenn