Do you expect to catch the cold and flu this year? fall - winter 2021

 Last time a cough kept me all night was 2018.  Per conversation on the social media (take it with a grain of salt --as anyone can be or do anything in the virtual world) I am not the only one who has not needed a good rest, a bowl of soup, hot tea and etc to get over a cold.

Lockdowns, masks, handwashing, they say is the reason we are getting as sick as often.  

I got my vaccines, and merely got tired a bit of a headache after both shots.

I was quite surprised when it took me three weeks to get over a cold.

I got it in early August.  It started with soar throat, and I developed a cough before I started sneezing.  Three days into it, and thick yellowish phlegm was pouring out of my nose, and mouth.  I was sleeping upright, and that only allowed for a few hours of shut eye.

It was pretty bad and pretty long.

When I told a friend that I am three weeks into a cold and I still feel under the weather, her response of 'that's strange' prompted me to look into the reason it being so drawn out.

I found a very good article online, on WebMD website on the topic.  It made a lot of sense.  To summarize: rest, stay hydrated, and manage symptoms were the key messages.

I failed in all three.

I cannot rest because I am a mom.  I was getting fluids on demand and it was by no means enough.  I was too wary of over the counter medication, e.g. Tylenol, because it is only a temp fix, and once they wear off the problems come back.

I learned, and I am documenting it here, because I have a feeling I need to remind myself these this year.  (I think there will be more germs and they will spread more this year (2021).  We are mingling more and our immune system has been out of practice for 18 months)

I learned to take the drugs soon after onset of the first symptoms, this to give my body chance to get the rest.  They say sleep boost the function of out immune system.

I learned to drink as much fluid as possible.

I also learned that gargling with salt water solution helps if done often and regularly.  

Since I am a mom, and I don't have a helping hand, I have been thinking of how could I avoid getting sick, or get the milder version of it.  These are things I have come up with:

Vitamin c intake (via food and supplement)

Vitamin D intake (sunshine and supplement

Drink a lot of water in the day and pee often (no holding! happens quite often being busy:)

Have a restful sleep - sleep on time, and don't wake up too early

Exercise, walk, yoga and pilates

That's it for now. :)