The Stress of Cold & Flu Season

Living in the upper Midwest, many of us have gotten used to thinking of winter as “the cold and flu season.”  However, with the advent of COVID-19, this season has become significantly more stressful for many older adults.  The reality is, COVID-19 is now endemic – meaning it is here to stay.  The virus will continue to mutate as it travels around the globe and between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, just as Influenza does.  Vaccine manufacturers will continue to do their best to track and predict viral mutations and bring to the market vaccines that create an immune response to help protect against the latest strains. The best precaution is to stay updated on vaccines.

However, given the many significant problems caused by the initial COVID-19 pandemic, fear and anxiety about upper respiratory symptoms in the elderly can now be overwhelming and cause strong emotions. Stress during an infectious disease outbreak can cause fear and worry about your own health, and the health of your loved ones, changes to sleep and eating patterns, and difficulty in concentrating or completing normal, everyday tasks.

Here are some simple steps that you or your loved one can do to help alleviate this stress:

• Stay as close to your normal routine as possible. Try to get up in the morning and go to sleep at the same time. Be aware that frequent napping during the day can cause an inability to get quality sleep at night.
• Avoid obsessing over endless COVID or Influenza coverage. Staying informed by watching the local news is adequate. Watching all day can be very overwhelming and confusing.
• Start a new project such as adult coloring, reading, jigsaw puzzles, solitaire card games, or word puzzles.
• If you do develop symptoms, or turn out to be COVID+, participate in visits with family and friends through video chats and phone calls. Staying in touch is vital to alleviating stress.

This time of year is common for cold and flu — and now, COVID.  While vaccines are never a guarantee of safety, if you have stayed up to date on your vaccinations, you can reassure yourself that you have taken important steps to improve your ability to fight off infection.  If symptoms become severe, make sure your provider knows that you tested positive; they know your health history and will be in the best position to determine if you will benefit from any of the therapeutic treatments now available for severe COVID.  However, if you have mild symptoms, do all of the same things that you would do with any winter respiratory illness: rest, drink plenty of fluids, and take care of yourself.