Make a rice sock
When I have a cold (as I do now) I find that applying heat to the back of my neck seems to bring some relief from congestion, and the easiest way to do this is to fill a sock with uncooked dry rice, tie a knot in it, heat it in the microwave for a minute and hold it in place with a hoodie.*
You can reheat the rice sock multiple times, and the smell is quite comforting. It can also be good for cramps and is a lot less bulky than a hot water bottle.
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* obviously make sure the temperature isn’t too hot before placing it against your bare skin
I like to do the good old towel draped over your head with your head placed over a bowl of steaming hot water.
Everything liquefies. Your head turns into a poached red potato, and it feels like your brain is going to dribble out. God knows what it does to cerebral blood flow.
You can buy these. We have about five of them – even some in the shape of teddy bears :)
Annnnd somehow I’ve managed to lose it already… I guess I’ll just make a new one next time I need it