Get Well Soon! Use This Flu-Season Survival Kit as Your Go-To For All Symptoms

By now you're well aware: the flu this year is freakin' terrible. Even if you got your flu shot, you can still get it, and if you've got it, the symptoms can last for several miserable weeks.

While there are antiviral medications you can get from your doctor, the best course of action is usually rest, recovery, and lots of fluids — but there are dozens of remedies for curbing the pain and icky symptoms while you're going through it. We've compiled a list of our favorite, most trusted go-to home treatments and tools for kicking the flu and surviving each day we're sick with a little less pain. Hot tip: each of these pairs nicely with a hot cup of soup and a Netflix marathon.

• Elderberry everything. The zinc- and elderberry-derived wonder provides lovely relief for flu symptoms and comes in many forms. Some of our favorites are the Sambucol Cold and Flu Relief Tablets ($15), Zarbee's Naturals Elderberry Immune Support Gummies ($17), and Sambucus Lozenges ($6). Just be sure to take it at the onset of symptoms.
• Flu remedy K-cups. Yes, this is a thing. Use one of the medicated CVS Cold and Flu Relief Single Serve Cups ($8) in your Keurig and make a hot cup of flu relief. It doesn't taste like yucky cough syrup — more like a comforting tea.
• Wellness teas. Steep some hot tea with healing properties to give your body some extra love while it heals. It's a delicious way to get better and give your immune system a boost. We love David's Tea Cold Survival Kit ($28) — it has a ton of options that help you feel better.
• Manuka honey. Antimicrobial manuka is the perfect addition to your get-well-soon cup o' tea. You can get it for way cheap at Trader Joe's, and there are also some great options on Amazon, like this Manuka Health MGO 30+ ($17). We're huge fans of Comvita Manuka Honey, too. When buying manuka honey, you should look for products with a certified UMF rating of 10 or over, since those will have the highest concentrations of the healthy properties the body craves.
• Shower steamers. Ahhhh. A hot, steamy shower is just what you need to open up achy, compressed, inflamed sinus passages and help you breathe easy. Drop some CVS Vapor Tablets ($3) into the shower for a eucalyptus-scented steam room experience or use your own essential oils — we'd recommend peppermint, eucalyptus, and relaxing lavender.
• Diffuser and essential oils. When you're not in the shower, use a diffuser to perfume your area with healing and comforting natural fragrance. We're obsessed with the Eden's Garden Ombre Diffuser ($50) that's as pretty as it is useful.
• Moisturizing hand soap. Washing your hands often is imperative when you're sick, but the extra washing can leave the skin on your hands stripped and dry. Try a gentler, more nourishing liquid hand soap like this sweet-scented Live Clean Coconut Milk Moisturizing Liquid Hand Soap ($6) to give your skin some relief.
• Soft tissues. Try packs of these Puffs Plus ($4) supersoft tissues — when you're covering your coughs and blowing your nose 75 times a minute, a soft texture makes a big difference. Trust us.
• Umcka chews. Umcka is a natural remedy made from a geranium plant and has been shown to help relieve cold and flu symptoms like coughs and sinus problems. We like Nature's Way Umcka Cold and Flu Chewables ($10).
• CBD cream. Aches, pains, and chills? Give yourself a little massage with some calming CBD cream. It's a natural anti-inflammatory that could provide a respite from the constant aching.
• A neti pot. Using a neti pot can provide serious sinus relief, which can also help prevent secondary infections. Editor favorite: this Himalayan Chandra Eco Neti Pot Starter Kit ($16).
• A good humidifier. Whether you opt for cool mist or warm, adding some soothing moisture to the air can help you breathe a little better and provide respiratory relief in the uncomfortably dry Winter season.
• DayQuil. There's nothing quite as effective as this classic OTC medicine when you've come down with the flu. With sinus and cough relief and acetaminophen for the pain, it covers all the bases as thoroughly as anything can. You can opt for the brand name or generics from Target, Costco, CVS, Walgreens, etc. Look for these ingredients: phenylephrine, dextromethorphan, and acetaminophen.