Preparing for the Battle of the Flu
By Donna Stark
There’s no doubt about it, it’s here. But are you prepared? Because whether you are or not, the dreaded cold and flu season is a sure thing and in just a matter of time, will be heading your way to inflict as much discomfort as possible. Sound scary? Well, it could, especially with the right words and the perfectly-placed maniacal laugh, but we won’t use those here. The flu season is bad enough without the extra drama and the risk of getting sick is more than enough to scare anyone into staying in bed for the next couple of months.
Fight the Flu
Even though it may be an enticing thought, hiding from the flu for the next 12 weeks isn’t really an option, but there are some things that can be done to prepare yourself and your family for the battle of the year. Here are a few suggestions on how you can fight the cold and flu season this year.
- Prepare your medicine supply - There is nothing worse than needing to shop when you have a record-breaking fever, so take a complete inventory of what you have in your medicine cabinet now. Stock up on flu and cold medicines, decongestants, throat lozenges, and nasal sprays. Toss out any expired ones too!
- Prepare your basics - Make sure you have a working thermometer with fresh batteries, a clean humidifier or air purifier, hand sanitizers, and tissues. Also, be sure to find your child’s favorite stuffed animal that’s been missing for the last few weeks. It will definitely help the recovery process if they end up sick in bed.
- Prepare your pantry - Sure, you can’t buy fresh food too early in the season and expect it to last, but you can certainly load up on your family’s favorite fluids. Gatorade, ginger ale, water, and fruit juices with extra Vitamin C are always popular beverages when fighting a virus. Also, stock up on soups!
- Prepare your house - Those nasty little germs can survive on surfaces for up to a couple of days, so be sure to clean your house constantly during this time of the year. Spray and disinfect all of those hard, non-porous surfaces in your homes that everyone seems to touch such as doorknobs, light switches, remotes, sink fixtures, keyboards, tables, and chairs.
- Prepare for sick days - Have a backup in place that will help get your kids where they need to be if you can’t leave the house, check to see if you have the option to work from home, or create a “sick-family†meal train with friends and family. Every little bit helps when the family is knocked down for the count.
Make It Easy On Yourself
With just a little bit of preparation, you can make a huge difference in how well you and your loved ones survive the cold and flu season. It doesn’t have to be scary. In fact, if there is anything to be scared about during this time of the year, it should only be those thrillers and horror flicks you are watching if you are stuck at home, sick in bed.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Littleton, Colo.