Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash
With the flu season getting underway and the pandemic still amongst us, many families have found themselves trying to find protection from both contagious illnesses. It has left them with a lot of feelings of anxiety this winter. Whether you have children or not, many of us have to do extra to protect our immune system this winter. If this has left you anxious, here are a few effective ways to calm down and lower your stress levels during this winter season.
Continue To Follow The CDC Guidelines
If you’ve been doing a good job at remaining careful, continue to stay the course. This year is going to be a tough one for families, battling both COVID-19 and the flu. But if you and your family are sanitizing and continuing to social distance, you should be okay. This disease doesn’t seem to show any signs of slowing down. So get the flu shot and maintain proper hand hygiene this season.
Getting The Flu Shot Is Urgent Now More Than Ever
Some people avoid the flu shot because of its mild side effects. These include a sore arm, fatigue, or a low-grade fever. However, these side effects usually go away in a few days, and getting the shot is especially urgent during this pandemic. Flu shots are said to be correlated with decreased rates of hospitalization, saving capacity for COVID-19 patients. If your child is vaccinated, this rules out their chances of getting tested for COVID-19. So if you want the peace of mind of being safe than sorry, encourage both you and your family to get the flu shot.
Don’t Go Overboard In Disinfecting
Because we’re dealing with both COVID-19 and the flu season, some people resort to heavy disinfection around the house. But doing this along with compulsive hand washing and constant isolating indoors are anxiety guidelines, not the CDC guidelines. Spraying everything in sight irritates both you and your family’s lungs and isn’t always necessary for protection against the virus.
One professor states that the chances of transmission from inanimate objects are low. “In my opinion, the chance of transmission through inanimate surfaces is very small, and only instances where an infected person coughs or sneezes on a surface and someone else touches that surface soon within 1-2 hours,” wrote Emanuel Goldman, PhD, a professor of microbiology, biochemistry, and molecular genetics at the New Jersey Medical School of Rutgers University in The Lancet Infectious Diseases. Another key factor in getting the virus from surfaces is that the virus has lived long enough on it. Failing to wash your hands afterward could also lead to transmission.
Refrain From Heavy News Watching
One of the main ways of reducing anxiety during this season is to reduce your media coverage viewing. Watching too much of the COVID-19 media coverage has left many emotionally and mentally exhausted. With this flu season amongst us, it will only make matters more stressful.
The more you hear about the number of cases and deaths rising due to this disease, the more anxious you will start to feel. Monitor your news watching on your TV, social media, or any of your digital devices. Make sure your family is being balanced in the amount of time they invest in the pandemic coverage.
Develop Some Sense of Normalcy
Just because we’re going to be dealing with both the COVID-19 pandemic and the flu this season doesn’t mean it’s okay to stock up on a lot of sanitizers, frozen dinners, and completely start sheltering in place. You and your family could continue to stay safe and live an anxious-free life this winter.
But if you or your loved ones start to develop any feelings of anxiety this season, help is available. Reach out to us for assistance in getting through the COVID-19/flu season today.
