Do You Suffer From Flu-Phobia?

FLU. 

It is literally EVERYWHERE. I cannot open the newspaper (yes, we still get a print newspaper) without reading a headline about the number of flu cases and how they are the highest they have ever been and hospitals are full and drug stores are out of medicine. I cannot scroll through my Facebook feed without seeing posts from my friends saying their husbands have the flu, their kids have the flu, their cousin has the flu. I cannot browse through my Facebook groups without seeing posts about the flu (even my LuLa groups! No live sale because we have the FLU!).

You guys, it has to stop! I have developed anxiety over this flu and I am driving my family and friends crazy. I have flu-phobia and maybe you have it too? If you are doing any (or like me, ALL) of these things, the answer is YES. 

1. You Avoid Leaving the House

I have only gone to the gym and the grocery store. I only do these things when my husband is home to watch the toddler. She has gone pretty much no where since this flu season started. Before you say, “the gym is full of germs!” Know that I wipe weights and everything else down before I start and I wash my hands immediately after. Same with that cart at the grocery store. I am tempted to spray my groceries with disinfectant before bringing them in the house.

2. You Make Loved Ones Wash Hands the Minute They Walk in Your Door. 

My poor husband – want to give me and the toddler a hug? No sir. Wash your hands. I’d really like for him to just take his clothes off and put them in a hot washing machine, but I haven’t taken it that far … YET. I have, however, sprayed him and my friends with essential oils to kill anything they may have brought in from the outside. 

3. You are Traveling With All the Things

I had to stay in a hotel room last week. I brought my own sheet to place on top of the bed and my own blanket from home. I also brought my own pillow. I sprayed the entire room with disinfectant when I got there and had to leave the room because of fumes. I considered wearing a mask. 

4. Your Hands are CRACKING and Bleeding Because You are Washing Them So Much

I have purchased a TON of soap this winter because I am using it all the time! My hands feel like sandpaper. 

5. You Have All the Oils … Does Not Matter if You Think They Work or Not

I do believe essential oils help (if anything, they help my house smell nice) and I have had to reorder my favorite immunity boosting essential oil blends THREE TIMES this winter because I am diffusing and rolling on everything – all day long. 

6. You are Prepared

I have all the things JUST IN CASE. I have elderberry syrup, cough medicine, pain reliever, fever reducer. I have homeopathic remedies and Epsom salt and apple cider vinegar. If I see someone post about something that has helped them to either not get the flu or to get over it quickly, I buy it. Thank you, Amazon Prime. 

But, here’s the thing. No matter what we do to protect our family from this FLU, chances are, someone will get sick – your partner, your kids, even … YOU! All we can do, really, is wash our hands and try very hard not to cough or sneeze on people. And for goodness sake, if you are sick STAY HOME! You guys, that is how everyone is getting sick! People are still trying to go about their everyday errands SICK. If you feel something coming on, rest, hydrate, and get well!

Do you have flu-phobia? What are you doing to protect your family from the flu?