The mighty have fallen ... but getting back up

It turns out, you can embrace every preventative measure out there – from eating healthfully, getting lots of vitamin C and zinc, and getting enough sleep to getting preventative vaccine – and sometimes, sometimes it just doesn't make a difference.  Also, there is a HUUUGE difference between different family members getting sick and the impact on the rest of the family members.  

I've been really quite sick for a number of weeks.  Having had COVID three times (yes, I know), having had any number of other ailments throughout the years, I can attest to influenza A being amongst the worst.  The. worst.  I admit, I was a teensy bit pigheaded about going to the doctor, continuing in the misguided belief that I was getting better, couldn't possibly continue to feel worse, until I just couldn't take it any more.  More, I was very worried I would pass the infection on to my family.  You might ask: how could you have gotten influenza A?  After all, flu vaccine and eating healthfully, sleeping, etc?  Well, not all of us are as careful with passing on our germs, I guess.  I won't point fingers, but suffice it to say, I am not Patient Zero in the Brown household.  

So on that: I didn't take anyone else down with me.  I was ill, yes, and quite so, but no one else caught it from me.  And, though feeling truly horrible (much like one would feel, I imagine, if hit by a bus), I still made most meals, did most laundry and worked (from home).  How is that?  Previously, I’m sure I've mentioned the difference between how men and women ail in our house.  I've definitely mentioned how my goal is always to not let two particular individuals in the family fall ill because they are, without a doubt, the biggest drama-loving manful-experiences that have ever had a sniffle.  To the nth degree, these two will whine and moan.  They will carry on, while in the main living space of the house, making all others tiptoe around them, basically bringing functioning in the house to a full stop.  They just want to be left alone, they say.  They just want to sit, do nothing, sit in front of mindless tv.  Can’t we all just be quiet around them?  And so on. 

The unexpected symptom I still have niggling me is a pain in the back.  I imagine it is from taking too much cough and cold medicine for too long, but suffice it to say, it has been bad enough that I asked our health provider about it.  His automatic response?  Clearly, I must have laid around and lazed too much while fully ill.  I don’t recall doing that even once; it’s interesting that the automatic diagnosis is based on (probably) his own MO when down with the flu, never mind that I don’t actually laze nor lie around. 

Why does this even matter?  Well, partly because I just like to tell you all how life is, but also because I assume that my household runs a lot like a lot of yours.  It can make us grumpy when we feel as though things aren’t “fair” or “even”.  What is fair though?  I mean, even though I was unwell, my assumed role in the house is to do the majority of the housework tasks.  I generally like to cook.  I generally don’t mind at all to do the various things that get us to the end of the day with things mostly clean and clothes to wear.  On the other hand, should these tasks fall to me, when I am not feeling fully able to do it, just because I am the female in the house?  That doesn’t seem quite right, either. 

The best solution is the not fall ill, I guess.  To take well enough care that this doesn’t become a big ugly elephant in the corner. 

What do I generally do to stay well?  I eat a balanced diet with a lot of fruit and veggies.  I stay well hydrated.  I get enough sleep (for me that is 8+ hours.  Yes, I know).  I stay active.  I get outside regularly.  I spend time reflecting and try not to get stressed.  I try to balance the elements that I HAVE to do with what I want and like to do.  I spend time refilling my cup with time spent with positive people.  I’m getting much much better about saying no to negative people.  Generally, my wellness wheel is running pretty smoothly.  I’d love to hear about what you do to keep healthy.