| How to Draw Posted: 07 Dec 2019 12:00 AM PST Learning how to draw can seem daunting, especially when you look at masterpieces by your favorite artists. However, it's important to remember that even the great masters were beginners once. Start by practicing some basic drawing techniques, then move on to more complex drawings to capture people, landscapes, animals, and more. If you keep at it, you'll likely be surprised at how quickly your drawing skills improve! [Edit]Practicing General Drawing Techniques - Start by drawing basic lines and curves. If you're just learning to draw, start by carefully drawing the pencil over the page in a straight line. Practice holding your hand at different angles to see what gives you the most control over the pencil, along with what feels most comfortable. Once you feel comfortable drawing a straight line, practice rotating your wrist as you draw, which should create a curve. Try making a series of big loops on the paper, then draw tiny swirls below that. This will help you build up your hand-eye coordination so you can create the effects you want on the page.[1]
- Practice drawing lines of different lengths, thicknesses, and textures. Try to produce wavy lines, zig-zag lines, and tangled, scribbly lines.
- After you get comfortable with lines and curves, try drawing shapes. For instance, you might try filling a page with two-dimensional shapes such as circles, squares, or triangles.
- For more information on drawing a straight line, check out How to Draw Neat Lines.
- Create a sense of depth by shading in a shape. Draw a simple shape, such as a circle, and add an imaginary light source to your page. Use a pencil to lightly shade in the areas farthest from your light source, while leaving the area closest to the light source unshaded. Keep building up the shading until you have a gentle fade you have a gradient from the darkest values at the parts of the object farthest from the light source to the lightest at the area closest to the light source.[2]
- For instance, you might imagine that there's a lamp shining down from the top left corner of the page. In that case, the top-left area of your shape wouldn't have any shading. Just below that area, add light shading then progress to very dark shadows in the bottom right corner of your page.
- Try blending your shadows with your finger, an eraser, or a cloth to soften them.
- To learn more about shading, check out How to Shade Drawings. You can also read about more advanced shading techniques in How to Cross-Hatch and How to Stipple.
- Make an object seem grounded in reality by adding cast shadows. Picture your light source, then draw a shadow on the opposite side of the object from the light. The shadow should be the same shape as the object, although it may be longer or shorter than the object itself, depending on how far away the light source is and the angle of the light.[3]
- For instance, if you have a bowl of fruit on a table, the table will cast a shadow on the floor, the bowl will cast a shadow on the table, and the fruit will cast a shadow inside the bowl.
- Use your finger or an eraser to blur the edges of the shadow so it looks more realistic.
- Check out How to Draw a Shadow to learn more!
- Draw a grid on the paper if you need help with proportions. If you're drawing something from a source image, draw several evenly-spaced vertical and horizontal lines on your paper to make a grid. Then, draw the same lines on your source image. Look at each individual square on the source image and copy it into the corresponding square on your paper. Your finished picture should be proportionate with the original![4]
- For instance, you might draw 3 vertical lines and 2 horizontal lines to make a 4x3 grid.
- It's okay if the squares aren't the same size on your source image as they are on your paper. You'll naturally adjust the size as you copy the picture you see in each grid. In fact, this technique is often used to resize a drawing.
- Show an object's dimension by learning perspective. To start practicing perspective, draw a horizontal line across your paper to represent the horizon. Make a small dot on the line. This will be your vanishing point. Next, draw two angled lines that meet at the vanishing point and stretch down toward the bottom of your paper. This can represent a road, a stream, railroad tracks, or any other pathway. The widest part of the path, near the bottom of the page, will seem closest to you, while the vanishing point will seem to be very far away.
- Perspective means that objects that are up close seem to be larger than objects that are far away. Simple perspective drawings only have one vanishing point, although more complex drawings might have two or even three.
- Understanding perspective will also help your shading and cast shadows look more realistic.
- Learn more by checking out How to Draw Perspective. You can also read How to Draw a 3D Box for another way to study the concept of perspective.
- Build an object out of different shapes. When you've mastered the art of drawing and shading basic shapes, you can draw much more complex objects by breaking them up into simpler shapes. Look at something you'd like to draw—such as a human figure, a car, or your hand—and try sketching out the basic shapes that make it up.[5]
- You can practice by taking an image—such as a photograph from a magazine or newspaper—and outlining the different shapes directly on the image. For example, take a picture of a car and outline the rectangular shape of the windshield, the circular shapes of the tires, and so on.[6]
- Once you've sketched out the shapes that make up your image, shade them in to create depth.
- To create a more finished drawing, connect the different shapes together with lines to build a coherent whole. You can then erase the outlines of the individual shapes that you sketched in.
- Try a contour drawing. Contour drawing is an exercise that helps you learn to create complex, realistic outlines. Pick an object to draw and follow the outlines of the image with your eye while drawing them at the same time. Try to keep your eye on the object you're drawing as much as possible, instead of concentrating on the hand that's doing the drawing. Don't worry if the drawing isn't perfect—just try to get the basic shape of whatever you're looking at onto the paper.[7]
- Make a game of it by trying a continuous contour drawing—try to connect all the outlines of what you see without lifting your hand from the page or going back over what you've already drawn.
- Outline your sketch first, then add details to keep your drawing proportionate. When you're taking a drawing from sketch to finished work, don't worry about the small details right away. Start by filling in basic shapes and values, then clean up your drawing and add details as you go. If you focus on intricate details too soon, you might make one part of your drawing too big or too small, and the work will feel out of balance when you're finished.
- For instance, if you're drawing a flower, you might start by sketching out the lines of the petals and stem. Once you've done that, you might start adding details like the center of the flower and the curves of the leaves and petals. Finally, you would add shading and any intricate details that are left.
[Edit]Drawing People and Faces - Sketch a large oval shape and a cross to draw a person's face up close. Draw an upside-down egg shape that's slightly narrower on the bottom and wider on the top. Then, lightly sketch a vertical and a horizontal line going through the oval.
- These lines will help you balance the proportions of the person's face. Draw them lightly, since you don't want them to show in the finished drawing.
- If you'd like to learn more, read How to Draw a Face.
- Use the lines to sketch the person's facial features. Draw the person's eyes along the horizontal line and place the nose about halfway between the eyes and the bottom of the chin. Sketch eyebrows above the eyes, then add the ears so that the bottoms of the ears line up with the bottom of the nose, and the tops of the ears line up with the eyebrows.
- Imagine a line halfway between the bottom of the nose and the chin, then place the mouth on top of this line.
- From here, you can fill in details like the person's eyelashes, pupils, and hair, along with shading and other details.
- Erase the vertical and horizontal lines when you're finished.
- Draw a circle on top of a trapezoid to make the silhouette of a head. If you're drawing a person from a little further away, the picture will look more realistic if you create the shape of a skull. To do this, draw a circle, then draw a narrow horizontal line a little below the circle. Create the jawline by sketching angled lines coming from the sides of the circle down to where they meet the horizontal line.
- Females tend to have a narrower chin, while males often have a wider jawline.
- You can still use the crossed directional lines from a close-up drawing to help you keep the proportion as you fill in the features of the person's face.
- Draw these lines lightly so they don't show in your finished drawing later.
- Draw a rounded rectangle and an oval to create the person's core. Just below the head, draw a long rectangle, which will be the person's torso. Make the rectangle very narrow for a slender person, or wider if the person is large. Then, sketch a horizontal oval overlapping the bottom of the rectangle. This will be the person's hips.
- If the person's neck will show in the picture, draw a narrow rectangle reaching from the person's head to their core.
- If the person is standing still, the rectangle should be perfectly up and down. If they're leaning slightly, tilt the rectangle a little, or tilt the rectangle dramatically to show that a person is bent over or in motion, like someone who's sprinting.
- Use straight lines and circles to sketch out the person's limbs. Use a straight line to represent each segment of the person's limbs, like their upper and lower arms and legs. Then, draw small circles anywhere that the person bends, such as their shoulders, knees, elbows, and wrists.
- Draw the lines and circles lightly since they're just meant to help you visualize the person's form. You'll erase them after you add detail to the drawing.
- Fill in clothing and other details once the person's body is sketched out. After you've drawn the person's figure, it's time to add detail. If you haven't already drawn the details of their face, you can do that now, along with features like their hair, clothing, and hands.
- Try gesture drawings to capture the essence of poses and actions. A gesture drawing is a basic sketch that captures both form and a sense of movement. Start by doing some very quick sketches (e.g., 30-60 seconds) with just a few simple lines to capture the shapes and movements that you see. Keep your lines loose, sketchy, and curved. The idea is to create something that looks dynamic and natural, not tidy and polished. [8]
- If you're drawing a human figure, try drawing a line through the center of the figure, going from the top of the head to the weight-bearing foot. Build the rest of the figure around it, sketching in other lines to indicate the angles of the hips and shoulders.[9]
- Keep your hand moving, and don't worry about details or accuracy.
[Edit]Capturing Landscapes - Use a reference photo or your own personal view. Find a photograph of a natural scene that you like, or look out the window and draw what you see. When you're drawing a landscape, it's often helpful to have some sort of reference to help you get your proportions right, especially when you're first starting out. [10]
- Draw a horizontal line across your page for the horizon. The line that divides the ground and sky in a landscape picture is called the horizon line. Lightly sketch this line wherever you want your horizon to fall. Keep in mind that if your horizon features mountains, treetops, buildings, or other raised elements, it may not be a perfectly straight line.[11]
- According to the Rule of Thirds, your picture will be more visually interesting if you place the horizon line a third of the way up from the bottom or a third of the way down from the top of the page.[12]
- If you draw your horizon further up the page, the viewer will see more of the ground, and if you draw it further down, they'll see more of the sky.
- In a typical landscape picture, the paper is turned so it is wide, rather than tall.
- Add a focal point in your picture. To make your landscape drawing seem interesting, add some eye-catching object for the viewer to look at. This might be a tree, a building, some interesting rocks alongside a stream, a barn, a waterfall, a bench, a person, or anything else you can think of. Typically, the focal point is the largest element in a painting, although it may also be an object that stands out because of its color or contrast.[13]
- For instance, a small patch of bright yellow flowers at the base of a stream would likely catch the viewers' eye if the rest of the colors in the painting are more sedate.
- A large shrub in the foreground of a painting could act as a focal point, as could a towering mountain in the background.
- It's helpful to try to find a reference photo or a natural angle with a focal point already included. However, you may need to select just a portion of a larger picture to make it interesting. For instance, you might focus your drawing on an area with an old tree, rather than trying to capture a whole park.
- Use perspective to maintain your proportions. When you're creating your drawing, imagine a vanishing point along your horizon line. Any lines in the picture should point back to this spot. This will mean that you draw elements in the foreground so they appear larger, while elements in the distance should be smaller.[14]
- For instance, if you're drawing trees, the tops and bottoms of the trees in the foreground can stretch up to the edges of the paper, if you like. However, as trees recede into the background, the tops and bottoms should line up with an imaginary diagonal that angles in toward the vanishing point.
- Simplify the details in your drawing. When you're drawing a landscape, don't try to draw every leaf on a tree, every blade of grass, or every brick on a paved road. Instead, draw out the overall shape of an object, then add details to small sections to give the viewer the suggestion of texture and movement.[15]
- For example, you might draw a few wispy lines to indicate that a fir tree is covered with needles.
- Some detail is okay, and this will vary depending on your style of drawing. If you're drawing a stony pathway, for instance, you might fill in the details of the rocks in the foreground of the picture, then gradually start spacing them out until you're only using a few circular shapes spaced along the path.
- If you are practicing a hyper-realistic drawing style, you may choose to include as many details as you can, and that's fine too. However, that's a more advanced drawing technique, so if you're just starting out, you might want to include just the details on your focal point, and let the rest of the picture be more simple.
[Edit]Trying Other Basic Drawings - Sketch a simple object from life. Once you have an idea of how to control your lines and create different values of light and dark, try drawing a real object or group of objects. Pick something relatively simple to start with, like a bowl of fruit, a flower, or a vase. Use a lamp to create a strong light source. Sketch in the outlines of what you see, then fill in the shadows and interior details.[16]
- Try to really draw what you see rather than what you think the objects should look like. This is harder than it sounds! To do it, try outlining the negative spaces around and between the objects rather than the outlines of the objects themselves.
- These are called still-life drawings, and they are commonly used in art classes for practicing technique.
- Try your hand at drawing cartoons if you have a playful style. Cartoon drawings tend to be more simple than realistic drawings, but they also open the door for you to be more creative. You might draw yourself as a superhero, for instance, or you could draw a cartoon animal who goes on adventures. You could even practice drawing a character that already exists, like your favorite anime or comic-book hero.[17]
- Focus on your main character first, then create different backgrounds, supporting characters, and props for your cartoon to interact with.
- Also, play with your character's facial expressions and pose to convey different emotions and actions.
- You can also create realistic-looking fantasy drawings from your own imagination. For instance, if you have a clear idea in your head of what a dragon would look like, you could try drawing that!
- For more tips, check out How to Draw Cartoon Characters or How to Draw Cartoon Animals.
- Draw a picture of your favorite animal to practice detail. Find a reference photo of an animal you really like and study its features before you start to draw. Then, start by sketching the outline of the animal. Once you've done that, fill in any major features, like its face, wings, or fins. Then, gradually add detail and shading until you're happy with the picture.
- Don't be discouraged if you can't get your ideas down on paper right away. Drawing takes a lot of practice, so keep at it!
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Make Dried Orange Slices Posted: 06 Dec 2019 04:00 PM PST Dried orange slices make a classic decoration for trees and wreaths during the holiday season. They're also a tasty treat! After cutting an orange into slices, dry them using an oven, a microwave, a food dehydrator, or even natural sunlight. When the slices look and feel dry, they're ready! [Edit]Cutting and Prepping Fresh Orange Slices - Cut the orange widthwise into slices. Consider the stem side the "North Pole" of the orange and orient it so it's on its side. Carefully use a sharp kitchen knife to create even slices. Discard the first and last slices (the "North" and "South Poles").[1]
- For the best results, use ripe (but not over-ripe) oranges without bruises or blemishes.
- Blot away any surface moisture with paper towels. Lay all the cut slices on a plate or tray, then dab them with a paper towel to soak up any surface moisture. Turn the slices over and repeat the process with another clean paper towel.[2]
- This step isn't absolutely necessary, but it will help the slices to dry out faster.
- Use plain white paper towels. Decorated paper towels can sometimes transfer colored spots onto the slices.
- Spike the cut slices with cloves to make decorations. Use a knife tip to cut a small hole through each fresh orange slice, just inside the rings of pith and skin, so you can loop a string through each opening after the slices are dried. Press a clove, star side up, into the center of each orange slice. Then, if desired, create a ring of cloves around the inside perimeter of the slice.[3]
- After the slices are dried, simply tie a colorful yarn or string through the hole in each slice so you can hang them.
- Dried orange slices decorated with cloves are a traditional Christmas tree and wreath ornament in the UK. You can skip the cloves if desired.
- Sprinkle on seasonings to make a sweet treat out of the slices. Lay the fresh slices on a plate or tray, then sprinkle them with white sugar, brown sugar, or coconut sugar. Follow up with a dusting of cinnamon, ginger, or both. Or, try other spice combinations until you find your favorite![4]
- Once dried, the seasoned slices make a great snack or dessert garnish.
- If you want to use a slice as a drink garnish, cut a line in a fresh slice from the center through the skin on its perimeter. This will become a small wedge-shaped cutout once the slice is dried.
- Use seedless oranges for snacking, or pick the seeds out of the slices before drying them.
[Edit]Drying in the Oven - Set your oven at , or as low as possible. If your oven does not permit a setting this low, put it as low as it will go. At , it will usually take about 3.5-4.5 hours to dry the orange slices.[5]
- At , it will typically take 2.5-3.5 hours.[6]
- At , expect it to take 2-3 hours.[7]
- Even though it takes longer, aim for the lowest temperature you can. This greatly reduces the chances of burning the slices instead of drying them.
- Space out the slices on an oven rack or another wire rack. Remove the oven rack from the preheating oven, or use an oven-safe wire rack. Lay out the slices on the rack so that they have at least of space on all sides.[8]
- Spacing the slices out on a wire rack improves the air flow and decreases the drying time. Using a baking sheet may increase the drying time by up to double.
- If you do choose to use a baking sheet, line it with parchment paper so the slices don't stick.
- Put the rack in the oven and turn the slices every 30-45 minutes. Frequent turning helps keep the slices from sticking. It also reduces the chances of burning, especially if the oven is at a slightly higher temperature. Simply pull the tray from the oven and use tongs to flip the slices when it's time to turn them.[9]
- Let the slices cool on the rack when they look and feel dry. Pull the slices from the oven as soon as they look fully dried and feel dried out when you touch them with the tongs. Let them cool to the touch on the rack, then confirm with your fingers that they feel completely dried.[10]
- It may take up to 30 minutes for the slices to cool to room temperature.
[Edit]Utilizing Your Microwave - Sandwich your cut slices between 2 thick layers of paper towels. Place 5-6 white paper towels on the microwave tray or a microwave-safe plate. Lay 4-5 orange slices on top of the paper towels, making sure they each have of space all around. Cover the slices with 5-6 more sheets of white paper towels.[11]
- Don't use decorated paper towels, because they may transfer dyes to the orange slices.
- Dry the slices in batches if you have more than 4-5 to dry.
- Microwave the covered slices at 50% power for 8 minutes. Don't heat the slices at full power, or you'll end up with burnt discs instead of dried rounds! Consult your microwave's instruction manual if necessary.[12]
- Use 50% power if your microwave is rated at 1000 watts or less. If it's rated at greater than 1000 watts, set it at 40% or even 30% power.
- Every microwave is different, so plan on some trial-and-error in finding the ideal power level and heating time for your orange slices.
- Replace the paper towels and repeat the drying process. After 8 minutes, remove the orange slices, flip them over, and sandwich them between layers of 5-6 fresh paper towels. Put them back in the microwave for another 8 minutes at 50% power (or less, depending on your model).[13]
- Stop microwaving the slices when they're nearly fully dried. After 2, 3, or possibly even 4 rounds of microwaving, the orange slices should be almost completely dried out. They'll never fully dry in the microwave without burning, so pull them at this point. Place them on a wire rack and give them 30-60 minutes to finish drying out.[14]
- If it's a humid day, you may want to finish drying the slices in the oven. Set it as low as possible—ideally, —and heat the slices for about 30 minutes on a wire rack.[15]
[Edit]Using a Dehydrator or Natural Sunlight - Follow your dehydrator's instructions for the easiest drying method. Lay the orange slices on the rack of the dehydrator, following the fruit spacing guidance for your model. Set the drying time based on your unit's instructions—it typically takes around 6 hours to dry orange slices.[16]
- A food dehydrator takes longer than most drying methods, but it's also the only "set it and forget it" option.
- Lay the slices on a clean window screen for outdoor drying. If you want to dry your orange slices using only sunlight, lay them out on a framed mesh window screen. (Clean the screen thoroughly with soap and water, then let it dry fully, before using it!). Provide about of space between slices.[17]
- If you plan to dry fruit regularly this way, buy a window screen solely for this purpose.
- Outdoor drying works best if you live in a warm, sunny, dry climate. Don't expect it to work on a cloudy, humid day!
- Prop up the window screen in a spot that gets full sunshine. Set the corners of the window screen on concrete blocks, for instance, or use something else that raises the screen at least off the ground. Choose a spot that gets full sunlight for at least 6 hours, and ideally 8 or more.
- The higher you prop up the screen, the more air flow the underside of the slices will get. This speeds up the drying process significantly.
- Propping the screen up also helps protect the orange slices from hungry animals!
- Flip the slices every 30-45 minutes until they're dry. Frequent turning is the key to even drying in the sunlight. Use tongs or your fingers to flip over every slice. When they feel completely dry, they're done![18]
- The drying time will vary widely based on your environmental conditions. The slices may dry in as few as 2 hours, or as many as 8-10 hours.
- Especially if you're using the dried slices as a snack or garnish, store any you're not using right away in an airtight container zip-close bag. They'll typically last for 2-7 days this way, depending on their moisture level and the humidity. Look for any mold spots before eating them.[19]
[Edit]Warnings - Use a sharp knife and work safely when slicing oranges. Children should be supervised closely if they're helping out.
[Edit]References |
| How to Get Rid of the Flu Posted: 06 Dec 2019 08:00 AM PST The flu is a viral infection that primarily affects your respiratory system, but it usually runs its course in about a week and does not require serious interventions. Symptoms of the flu include: a fever of 100°F (37.8°C) or higher, chills, cough, sore throat, stuffy or runny nose, headaches, body aches, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea.[1] Although there is no way to cure the flu, you can treat its symptoms using home remedies, take over-the counter or prescription medicines, and take steps to avoid getting the flu in the future. [Edit]Using Home Remedies - Use steam. Nasal and sinus congestion are common symptoms of the flu. If you are suffering from congestion, using steam may give you some relief. The heat of the steam loosens mucus while the moisture helps to relieve dry nasal passages.[2]
- Try a hot shower or bath to help to clear your congestion faster. Turn the water as hot as you can stand it and let the bathroom fill with steam with the door closed. If the heat leaves you feeling a little weak or dizzy, stop immediately and do not continue.
- When you get out of the shower, dry your hair and body thoroughly. Damp hair can cause you to lose body heat, which is not good when you are sick.
- You can also use steam by filling your bathroom sink with hot water and placing your face over it. Drape a towel over your head to keep the steam in. You can even add a couple of drops of a sinus-clearing essential oil, such as eucalyptus, or peppermint, to maximize the sinus-clearing benefits.
- Try a Neti pot. The Neti pot clears nasal passages by thinning and flushing the sinuses with a saline solution. The Neti pot is an oblong ceramic or clay teapot that can be purchased online, in health food stores, and in some pharmacies; however, any kind of bottle or container with a thin spout can also be used.
- Buy the saline solution used in the Neti pot in health food or drug stores; however, you can make your own saline solution by mixing half a teaspoon of kosher salt into a cup of sterile water. It is essential that the water is sterile or properly distilled — ensure this by boiling the water for five minutes, then allow it to cool to room temperature.
- Fill the pot with the saline solution and, tilting your head to one side over a sink, insert the spout of the pot into one nostril. Slowly pour the solution in, which should flow in one nostril before coming out the other. When the water stops dripping, blow your nose gently, then repeat the process on the opposite side.[3]
- Gargle with salt water. A dry, tickly, or sore throat is a common symptom of the flu. An easy, natural way to deal with this is to gargle a salt solution. The water hydrates the throat and the antiseptic properties of the salt fight infection.[4]
- Make a gargling solution by dissolving a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm to hot water. If you don't like the taste, add a pinch of baking soda to ease the saltiness.
- You can also try gargling with apple cider vinegar and warm water for a similar effect.
- Gargle this solution up to four times a day.
- Allow a mild fever to run its course. A fever is your body's way of fighting off the infection, so it is ok to let it go untreated if your temperature is less than 101°F (38.3°C). It is thought that the fever will heat up your body and blood, which makes it easier for your body to fight off the infection, or that the virus may be unable to replicate as easily when your body is at a higher temperature. However, there is no evidence to suggest that taking Tylenol to bring down a fever would prevent your immune system from working at its best. You can likely take Tylenol to relieve your symptoms with no fear of additional harm, but you can always check with your doctor if you're unsure.[5]
- Seek medical attention if your fever goes above 101°F (38.3°C).
- Seek treatment for an infant under 12 months old with any type of fever.[6]
- Blow your nose as often as possible. Blowing your nose often is the best way to get excess mucus out of your sinuses and nasal passages when you are sick with the flu. Do not inhale mucus back into your nose because that can lead to sinus pressure and earaches.[7]
- To blow your nose, hold a tissue over your nose with both hands. The tissue should be covering your nostrils so that the tissue will catch the mucus when you blow your nose. Then apply gentle pressure on one nostril and blow out through the other one.
- Dispose of used tissues immediately and wash your hands to minimize the spread of germs.
[Edit]Taking Care of Yourself - Rest as much as possible. When you're sick, your body works hard to get you better. This drains all of your energy from your body, meaning you will be more tired than usual. This also means you need to rest more, since your body is working so hard. If you try doing more than you have to, you can make your flu last longer and make your symptoms worse.
- At least eight hours of sleep per night is ideal, but you will probably need even more when you're sick. Sleep in and take naps throughout the day. Take time off of work or school so you can get adequate rest.
- Keep yourself warm. Keeping your body temperature up will help speed up your recovery. Make sure that you turn on the heat in your house, so that it is warm enough for you. You can also stay warm by wearing a fuzzy robe, by staying under the covers, or by using a portable heater.
- Dry heat can bother your nose and throat, causing them to dry out even more and making your symptoms worse. Try using a humidifier in the room where you spend most of your time. This will add moisture back into the air, which can ease coughing and congestion.[8]
- Stay home. When you are sick, you need to rest. It is the only way to regain your strength and let your body recuperate. If you go into work or school while you are sick, you will be spreading your germs to those around you. Also, when you are sick with the flu, your immune system is weaker. This means you might pick up other illnesses from those around you and you could be sick longer.[9]
- Ask your doctor for a note to excuse you from work or school for a few days.
- Drink plenty of fluids. Blowing your nose a lot and sweating due to fever and increased environmental heat causes you to lose hydration. This can worsen flu symptoms and cause more symptoms, such as headaches and a dry, irritated throat. Try to drink more fluids than average when you're sick. You can drink decaffeinated hot tea, an electrolyte solution like PediaLyte, diluted sports drinks, eat soups and water-heavy fruit and vegetables such as watermelon, tomato, cucumber, and pineapple, or drink more juice and water.
- Avoid sugary sodas because soda acts as a diuretic, which causes you to urinate more and lose water. Drink ginger ale if you have an upset stomach, but drink more water.
- To check for dehydration, examine your urine. Very pale yellow or almost clear means you're well-hydrated. When urine is dark yellow, you may be dehydrated and you should drink more water.[10]
- Seek medical help if necessary. There is no way to cure the flu after getting it, so you will just have to ride it out. Once you have the flu, symptoms generally last seven to 10 days. If your symptoms last more than two weeks, make sure that you contact your doctor. You should also contact your doctor if you have:
- Difficulty breathing or chest pain
- Sudden dizziness or confusion
- Severe or persistent vomiting
- Seizures
- Flu-like symptoms that improve but then return with fever and worse cough
- Change in mental status in a young child (i.e. more drowsy than usual/not waking up to stimulation like normal)
[Edit]Using OTC and Prescription Medications - Take oral decongestants. Nasal decongestants help shrink swollen blood vessels in the nasal membranes and allow the nasal passages to open up. The two oral decongestants available over-the-counter in tablet form include phenylephrine, such as Sudafed PE, and pseudoephedrine, such as Sudafed.
- Side effects of oral decongestants include insomnia, dizziness, increased heart rate, and increased blood pressure.
- Do not use oral decongestants if you have heart issues or high blood pressure. Use under a doctor's care if you have diabetes, thyroid problems, glaucoma, or prostate issues.[11]
- Use spray decongestants. You can also take over-the-counter decongestants in nasal spray form. Nasal sprays can provide immediate and effective relief from congestion, which can be administered in one or two quick squirts.
- Nasal sprays can contain oxymetazoline, phenylephrine, xylometazoline, or naphazoline as a decongestant.
- Be sure to use the nasal spray only as often as directed. Using it for more than three to five days can cause you to feel stuffier after discontinuing use. This is called the "rebound effect."[12]
- Try pain relievers and fever reducer. If you have a fever and aches and pains, you can take over-the-counter medicine for relief. The main pain relievers and fever reducers are acetaminophen, such as Tylenol, or NSAIDs, which are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen or naproxen.
- Avoid taking NSAIDs if you have acid reflux or peptic ulcer disease. These medications can upset your stomach. If you are already taking an NSAID for other issues such as blood clots or arthritis, talk to your doctor before taking the medicine.
- Many multi-symptoms medicines contain acetaminophen. Make sure you take the appropriate amount because an overdose can lead to liver toxicity.[13]
- Do not give aspirin to children or teenagers, especially if they are exhibiting flu-like symptoms. This is linked to a serious liver failure disorder called Reye's Syndrome.
- Use a cough suppressant. If you have a severe cough, try a cough suppressant. Cough suppressants include dextromethorphan and codeine, though codeine will likely need a prescription. Dextromethorphan is available as a tablet or syrup and can come in combination with an expectorant.
- Side effects of these types of medications can include drowsiness and constipation.
- The dosages of these medications vary depending on what you buy and how strong it is, so always follow doctor's and manufacturer's directions.[14][15]
- Try an expectorant. Chest congestion is a common flu symptom. To help cure it, you can try an expectorant. Expectorants are medicines that loosen and reduce mucus in your chest. Less mucus will help you breathe better and make your coughs more productive. Many over-the-counter medications for cold and flu have expectorants in them, which can be liquid, liquid gels, or tablet form.
- If you are unsure about what kinds to take, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Also ask about common side effects of expectorants, which can include drowsiness, vomiting, and nausea.[16]
- Consider an over-the-counter multi-symptom medicine. There are countless combination over-the-counter medicines that contain a lot of these different medications. These are helpful if you experience multiple symptoms at the same time. Most contain a fever reducer and pain reliever such as acetaminophen, a decongestant, a cough suppressant, and sometimes an antihistamine to help you sleep.
- If you are taking a combination medicine, make sure not to take other medications that may duplicate what is in the multi-symptom. This can lead to overdoses.[17]
- Examples include Tylenol Cold Multi-Symptom, Robitussin Severe Multi-Symptom Cough Cold & Flu Nighttime, DayQuil Cold & Flu, etc.
- Ask your doctor about a prescription antiviral medication. "The flu" is sort of a general layman's term that is often referring to the common cold in severe form. Influenza is one specific virus (the Influenza Type A or B virus) that causes severe symptoms and can be life-threatening for infants and the elderly. If your doctor determines that you have Influenza, he may also prescribe antiviral medications to household members for prevention, especially if they are at high risk, such as someone with a chronic disease or who is older than 65. Antiviral influenza drugs work to reduce the severity and duration of the illness by a couple days, control outbreaks in close quarters or to other members of your family, and possibly reduce complications from the flu.[18] These medications include:[19]
- Oseltamivir (Tamiflu)
- Zanamivir
- Amantadine and Rimantadine (some influenza strains are resistant to these drugs)[20]
- Know the side effects of antivirals. To be effective, antiviral drugs must be started within 48 hours of becoming sick and should be taken for five days; however, a number of flu viruses have developed resistance to some antiviral medications. Taking these may also help contribute to other strains of the flu becoming resistant. Though uncommon, side effects of antivirals medications can include:[21]
- Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
- Dizziness
- Stuffy or runny nose
- Headache
- Cough
[Edit]Getting the Flu Vaccine - Get a flu shot. The single best way to treat any disease is to prevent it. Anyone over six months old should get the flu shot, which specifically targets the influenza virus. This is especially important for anyone at risk of complications from the flu and those who are in contact with those who are especially at risk. This includes those ages 65 or older, young children, women who are pregnant, those with depressed immune systems (such as those undergoing chemotherapy), or those with chronic health conditions like asthma or diabetes. If you are a parent or caretaker for a person with the risk factors just described, or a health care worker, it is important you get the flu shot too to protect these people.
 - Flu season is October to May, with its peak December to February.[22]. Around this time, flu shots, which are vaccines, are available at most pharmacies. Most insurances cover this cost.
- Get the vaccine few weeks before the season starts. The vaccine takes a good two weeks to fully kick in, by helping you develop antibodies to the flu so you can fight it off; however, getting it early will help you not contract it during the two weeks you are susceptible to the flu.
- You can also get the flu shot if you're currently experiencing mild flu-like symptoms. Some people believe that flu symptoms are a contraindication for the flu shot, or a reason you shouldn't get it, but this is a common misconception.
- The vaccine is only effective for one flu season, so you must get it every year. It also only covers some strains of the flu.[23]
- Also worth noting is that flu vaccine manufacturers in partnership with doctors basically have to guess which flu strains will be prominent that year and make the vaccine to include those strains. Some years they are wrong, and the vaccine is not effective because it didn't contain the strains that end up being prevalent that season.
- Try the nasal spray vaccine. Other than the flu shot, you can get the flu vaccine as a nasal spray. This could be easier for some people, but should be avoided by others. You should not take the nasal spray vaccine if:
- You are younger than two or older than 49
- You have heart disease
- You have lung disease or asthma
- You have kidney disease or diabetes
- You've had previous problems with your immune system
- You are pregnant
- You have active respiratory symptoms like running nose, cough, etc.
- Understand the complications. There are some complications that can arise if you receive either vaccine. Before getting either vaccine, talk to your doctor if:
- You are allergic to, or have previously had an allergic to, flu shots or eggs in the past. There is a different flu shot for those with an egg allergy.
- If you have a moderate to severe illness with a fever. You should wait until you recover before getting the vaccine.
- You have the rare nerve disorder, Guillain-Barré syndrome, in which your immune system attacks your peripheral nervous system.
- If you have multiple sclerosis.
- Be aware of the potential side effects of the vaccine. Despite all the good that flu vaccines do, there are some side effects of the flu shot. These can include:
- Soreness and swelling at the injection site
- Headaches
- Fever
- Nausea
- Mild flu like symptoms[24]
[Edit]Preventing the Flu - Avoid sick people. To prevent the flu, avoid coming into close contact with people who have the flu. Close contact includes coming close to the mouth, so avoid kissing or hugging those with the flu. You should also avoid an infected person if they sneeze or cough near you. Any bodily fluid can transfer the flu germs.
- Also avoid touching surfaces the infected individual touched, which will be contaminated with germs.
- Wash your hands frequently. Proper hand washing is the best way to prevent all kinds of infections. When you are in public or around a sick individual, you should wash your hands frequently. Carry hand sanitizer with you to use when you may not have access to a sink. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), proper hand washing technique is as follows:
- Get your hands wet with clean, running water. It can be either warm or cold. Next, turn off the tap and apply soap.
- Lather the soap into your hands by rubbing them together. Don't forget the backs of your hands as well as in between your fingers and under your fingernails.
- Rub your hands together for at least 20 seconds, which is about the length of time it takes to sing the traditional version of "Happy Birthday" twice.
- Next, turn the faucet back on and rinse off the soap with warm water.
- Take a clean towel and dry them. You can also air dry them with a hand dryer.[25]
- Follow a healthy diet. A healthy lifestyle can keep your immune system strong and help fight off infections. You should eat a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables. You should also decrease your intake of fats, especially saturated fats, as well as sugar.
- Vitamin C is an immune boosting vitamin. Although there is mixed evidence on its effectiveness to reduce symptoms, a healthy diet rich in vitamins and vitamin C doesn't hurt. Eat more citrus fruit, such as oranges and grapefruit, as well as cantaloupe, mangoes, papaya, watermelon, broccoli, green and red peppers, and leafy greens.[26]
- Stay stress-free. Practicing yoga, tai chi, or meditation can help you relax on a daily basis. If you feel stressed out, it's important for your health to take some time for yourself every day, even if it's just ten minutes at a time. This can give your immune system that boost it needs.
- Stress also messes with your hormones and may reduce your ability to fight infection.[27][28]
- Exercise most days of the week. Research says that exercise may cut your risk of flu and make your flu shot more effective. Do at least 30 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise, or exercise that increases your heart rate, most days of the week. This keeps your body working in top form and helps your fight against different infections.
- Researchers don't exactly know how or why, but there are a few theories about how exercise can help fight different bacterial or viral infections. It is suggested that it flushes out bacteria from the lungs, through urine, and through sweat. It also is suggested that exercising sends antibodies and white blood cells through the body at a quicker speed, detecting illness earlier, and that the rise in body temperature prevents bacterial growth.[29]
- Get enough sleep. Chronic sleep loss can have many effects, including lowering your immune system.[30] To stay healthy, it's important you get enough sleep every night. Adults should get between 7.5 to nine hours of sleep.[31]
- Get plenty of sleep.
- Make sure to stay home, drink lots of water, and get plenty of rest.
- Stay healthy! Sometimes, sickness is caused by a vitamin deficiency.
- After you vomit from having the flu don't drink anything right away. You often need to wait around ten minutes to let your body regenerate. Ginger ale helps with your stomach.
- There is no strong evidence of certain foods or supplements and herbs that help with the flu.
- Stay indoors so you don't spread germs.
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