This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of P&G . The opinions and text are all mine.
“We don’t winter well.”
Our family does not do winters well. We spend at least half the winter coughing, sneezing, with running noses, and fighting colds, flus, and viruses.
I don’t think we’re alone.
And we usually have one child contract something then pass it along to everyone else. Very fun. But, since we’re “experts” at this by now, we’ve learned a thing or two.
Here’s how you can fight a cold, the flu, and viruses when they’ve wiped out your whole house.
But first…
Is it a cold or the flu?
What's in this post...
9 Things To Do When Winter Hits
I hope these will help you fare winter well.
Wash Wash Wash and Switch Out
At the first sign that something is going around strip the sheets, towels, and half dirty/half clean clothes in the house. Wash with a hefty helping of baking soda and/or hot water so the germs don’t keep circulating each time they lay down to rest.
Which, if they are really down for the count, will be often.
A nurse friend said that we should always have extra toothbrushes stored away. Why? When someone comes down with a sickness you should immediately throw out your current toothbrush and start using another. Then, when you’ve fully recovered, throw that one out and go fresh.
If you don’t want to waste toothbrushes you can always heavily sterilize and boil (if the toothbrush will withstand it) to avoid swishing around the evil germs.
Keep Tissues On Hand
If the sniffles abound, it’s a good idea to keep tissues on hand. I used to use baby wipes to help wipe snotty noses, but that actually irritated my little ones’ skin. Soft tissues work much better and you can easily keep a box of Puffs (with lotion) in everyone’s room.
BRAT
Particularly if a stomach virus or bug has give everyone upset tummies, a BRAT diet is a great way to begin getting some food back in the body. BRAT is a bland-food diet that doesn’t further upset your stomach and will help to solidify what’s already in it to prevent further diarrhea and discomfort.
BRAT…
B-bananas
R-rice
A-applesauce
T-toast
It’s a slight step up from saltine crackers, and it’s foods the kids won’t reject.
Detox
Whether it’s from unhealthy foods, viruses, or our bodies just being worn down, one way to regenerate from the inside out is to do some basic things to detox. Detox meaning to help get the toxins out of the body safely. Detoxing helps if you have the FLC Syndrome (Feel Like Crap). I’m not talking about detoxing to lose weight, but detoxing to recover from the cold, flu or a virus.
One easy way to detox that is actually appealing when you’re in recovery is a detox bath. These can tend to make you drowsy so giving the kids or yourself a detox bath before bed might be a soothing way to start the evening.
Sterilize
Things you use around the house regularly that may never get a good wash should be sterilized. Whether you put them on high heat in the dishwasher or use a kettle to boil some water, things like water bottles, sippy cups, and pacifiers should be attacked with a vengeance.
Though these won’t bring you into a state of wellness immediately it will help prevent the nasty reinfection cycle.
Stock Up On Supplies!
For viruses there is no medicine that will actually speed up the process of recovery. However, often with colds and flus you can take some medication that’ll take the edge off of your symptoms. Put Vick’s on your little one’s feet with socks before bed if they’re coughing or have chest congestion.
Give older children Nyquil if they’re having trouble sleeping and this will relieve some of the more pressing symptoms as their body begins the healing process.
Hydrate
Hydration is key when you’re fighting off an illness. Particularly when your body is actually trying to get rid of most of the liquid in your body.
Water is an obvious choice, and it’s good to have everyone drink a small cup or two as often as they’ll take it. Gatorade (I would suggest Powerade, but I’m a Florida Gator so… you know) is even better because it replaces the electrolytes lost in your body after a bout of the upset tummy.
Ginger ale, sprite, and flat coke are also suggested to help settle tummies. If your little ones don’t want to eat, don’t force it. Their appetites will eventually come back strong.
Rest, relax, and release
I know it’s often a funny joke to say that a busy mom should lay down and rest, but unfortunately it’s essential. If you must abandon normal routine and schedules and allow more screen time than normal then do it.
If the kids need to lay on the couch under the covers and waste the day away with Disney movies, don’t let yourself feel guilty. Desperate times call for desperate measures. You can and will get back to a normal rhythm when the scourge has passed.
Ask for help
If you are like me then you find it hard to ask for help. If someone offers, sure, but going out of your way to ask is hard. If everyone is down for the count it may be a little easier, but if you have a child or two who are perfectly healthy yet you are really suffering, the best thing you can do is call in reinforcements.
Not that you want to infect others, but sometimes it’ll take someone else to help you push through until everyone is well.
So if you are reading this because you guys are all hammered from a cold, the flu or a virus (and I feel you) then hopefully you’ll find some tips and inspiration to start making the trek back up to health.
Glad that you covered the importance of air conditioners and purifiers here because i can attest to that.
thank you for your advice