One Hundred Dollars a Month

Flu season has hit our area with a vengeance, and quite frankly, I am not in the mood to lay in bed with the spins and aches {though, just laying in bed all day is not off the table :)}.  I’m officially kicking off Project Stop the Flu {working title} around here…which short of stopping all human contact, usually insulates us pretty well.  If you are looking to de-cootie your house and hopefully your life, here are a couple of easy tips to keep the flu at bay:

1. De-germify your house.  Get a spray bottle of rubbing alcohol {yes, your house will temporarily smell like a hospital} and a clean rag.  Go for the things that get touched the most–doorknobs, television remotes, etc.  Spray the clean towel and then wipe down the offender {that way, if it is electronic, you don’t douse it with liquid}.
2. Wash sheets and bedding more regularly.  If your bedding allows, go for a hot setting.
3. Remember to replace toothbrushes if someone in the house does come down with the flu.  Also, I like to get everyone their OWN tube of toothpaste this time of year.  It seems a little excessive, but seriously, you put the brush in your mouth everyday, then you rub it up against a community toothpaste…not good.
4. Again, if someone does get sick in the house, empty garbage regularly.  Those used tissues are like little ticking time bombs every time  you add to the garbage.
5. This probably goes without saying, but wash hands more frequently.  It’s actually shocking how much our hands get near our faces.  Keeping them germ-free might leave you chaffed, but at least you will have your ability to breathe and stand upright intact.
6. Avoid being in confined spaces with sickies.  You are most likely to get the flu from human to human contact.  Sneezes, touches, etc.  So, courteously decline invites from friends who have been sick within the past 24-48 hours.  It’s war against cooties, here people, it’s not personal.
7.  When you are in public or at the office, think about all of those touchy sorts of places–elevator buttons, keyboards, etc.  Try not to touch your face after you’ve been touching communal supplies.
8. Insulate yourself from the inside out.  Up your nutrition game, get plenty of sleep, and if possible, de-stress often.  The flu can sense a weakened body…like a lion smells fear :).

That’s about the best you can hope to do, I think, unless you are going to go into a strict quarantine scenario.  How do you keep flu cooties away?

~Mavis