It’s the season of the crud.
The sniffly, sneezy, coughy, raspy sounds of winter are everywhere.
Stores. Schools. Gyms. Work. Social media.
As a post in Twitter put it: “Both my daughters came down with a nasty case of croup yesterday evening. It makes 2-year-olds sound like Bea Arthur.”
It’s only going to get worse.
Too many afflicted people don’t take it lying down. Instead, they saunter around and spread their cooties.
We’ve all had co-workers say, while spewing germs: “Stay away from me. I’m sick.”
There’s no way to totally avoid catching a bug, but there are ways to lower your chances.
For starters: Stay away from sick co-workers.
Maybe if they knew about all the fun products available they’d stay home.
Vicks Starry Night Cool Moisture Humidifier: This machine not only emits cool mist, it has a projector that turns the ceiling of your child’s room (or your room) into a starry night sky. The floating stars change colors to create a van-Gogh-meets-Disney experience.
The projector is independently controlled so you can use it without the mist. A heated scent pad produces menthol vapors, if desired.
For more information, go to www.kaz.com.
Facial tissues: You don’t have to carry a wad of used, crumpled tissues in your pocket. In fact, please don’t.
Pick up disposable pocket packs with cartoon characters, pop stars, slogans, logos and icons on the package front. Most have 10 2-ply mini tissues.
Pocket packs of tissues are common overseas. In Tokyo, packs with ads are handed out on busy street corners. In the U.S., a six-pack will set you back about $1. Fancy designs cost a bit more.
Another option is a cloth tissue-holder purse that you refill yourself. The wallet-sized purses come in many fabric and design options with zippers, snaps and key chains.
Available at craft shows to big-box stores. Makes a perfect stocking stuffer for friends as well as co-workers who come to the office sick.
Gel out: Cool wet washcloths are an age-old remedy to take the edge off the heat, but you have to keep chilling them.
Be Koool gel sheets with Disney characters stay cool for up to eight hours and look cool. The sheets have a squishy backing that sticks to foreheads.
The sheets, also packaged for adult migraines and hot flashes, are for one-time use only. For more information, go to www.kobayashihealthcare.com/kids.
Plastic packs filled with gel beads are a reusable fix for hot bodies of all sizes. The gel packs come in big manly sizes and cute little animal shapes. When the chill is gone, these recharge quickly in the freezer.
Of course, you can also do the same with wet washcloths in a baggie.
Chicken soup: Everything about Grandma’s old-fashioned “penicillin” is soothing. The vapor. The broth. The warmth.
Take it to the next level with a can of Campbell’s Chicken &Stars. Perfect to eat in the glow of the Starry Night humidifier.
Warm fuzzies: Happiness is good for your immune system. Try to smile. Watch a funny movie. Cuddle up with a pet or stuffed toy. Put on your fun pajamas. Go from the bed to the couch.
Quit focusing on how bad you are feeling. You don’t have to sing, but for heaven’s sake stop moaning, “Oh, I feel like I’m dying.”
Andrea Brown; 425-339-3443; abrown@heraldnet.com
Staying well
- Wash your hands often. Always before eating.
- Keep your distance from ill people.
- Avoid crowds during a flu epidemic.
- Don’t bite your nails. Fingertips are a magnet for germs.
- Keep your hands away from your nose and mouth.
- Turn away from others when they cough or sneeze. Turn away from others when you cough or sneeze.
- If someone in the house is sick, use paper cups and paper towels in bathrooms.
- Don’t let your nose or mouth touch public drinking fountains.
- Sanitize your hands after using public keyboards.
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