Wow, this year has already been dreadful for the flu and colds. “He, who doesn’t do sick” has had the ‘Man Flu’. Yes, that dreaded illness which arrives as a cold but soon develops into a death sentence.
Of course he had to be going overseas on business right when the cold started, didn’t he? Packing for Man Flu was going to have to be strategic.
TISSUES
I was sure tissues wold be fine but was informed very quickly that, for “He who always has a hanky in his pocket” tissues are apparently totally unacceptable. What? Yes, he still prefers to use a handkerchief.
I enthusiastically introduced the idea of large tissues, MAN-SIZED tissues which I delivered in a man-sized tone. However, after the painstaking explanation about sogginess and the germ aspect of used hankies, he still insisted on handkerchiefs… or is it handkerchieves???
GOOD QUALITY MAN-SIZED HANKIES
Now I know I’m not alone when I tell you all that I loathe and actually refuse to wash yucky hankies. I decided the best way to go – packing-wise for his business trip – was to buy a pile of new hankies which he could just rinse out (eeeoooh!), seal them into a plastic snaplock bag, and I could sterilize them when he came home. So off I went, looking for really good quality cotton handkerchiefs.
I had no idea how difficult the task would be. Today most hankerchiefs are pea-shooter-thin or as my dear mum used to say “As thin as a cheap tissue”. At last, I found good ones at a local shop catering just for men. Now that’s a rare thing in our area. I found lots of shops with mens clothes, belts etc but only one sold handkerchiefs!
VICKS VAPOUR RUB
I then began to think about good old Vicks Vapour Rub to give him an inhalation before he left. It is always a wonderful way to clear the airways. Remember hanging your head over a bowl of boiling steamy water which had Vicks in it? You had to drape a towel over your head to create a steamy environment. Of course we all have heaps of time to do this (?!) and somehow I always forget that it makes your hair a mess.
.
LIGHT BULB MOMENT!! THE STEAMER.
I am a sinus sufferer so a head cold can be dreadful. Both my children experience seasonal hay fever too so I was really delighted when my favourite daughter (I only have one) introduced me to the portable steamer. It is the most fabulous little ‘must have’ for the medicine cupboard.
This is a small portable unit which all packs into itself for portiblility. Personally, I believe it works even better than hanging your head over the bowl of hot water. The one we have is made by Bosistos and includes the eucalyptus oil. I have bought several for friends and family and it works a treat for colds and flu. (Please excuse the tatty box… it’s used a lot.)
THE BOBISTO EUCO-INHALER
So with the inhaler tucked in his case, 14 hankies and three Vicks Inhaler sticks he set off on his trip.
Well, he sang its praises because it worked so well. He also managed to discover some new fabulous MAN-SIZED tissues and bring some back! All in all, I thought it was a man-flu-defeating, trip-planning triumph.
This was confirmed few weeks later when a friend said she had a cold coming on and who do you think offered HIS favourite recommendation (one he uses ALL THE TIME)? The Bosistos Portable Euco-Inhaler, of course. A true success story if there ever was one. You have to laugh…
RELIEVING THE DREADED DRY EYE
Not only is the steamer fabulous for colds, sinus and flu it’s also great for relieving dry eye. Of course you need to OMIT the eucalyptus and mouth piece to just use the steam. Close your eyes to allow the steam to play across your eyes. Keep it at a comfortable distance so as not to burn. Heavenly!
