Advent Day 17:  Afraid of Getting Sick for the Holidays?

I’ve heard that the flu season has arrived early this year, and with is comes the “stop-you-in-your-tracks” possibility of being ill during this festive season. If you do not have a chronic health condition, the thought of becoming sick now is possibly not a primary worry. But for those of us with other illnesses, the threat of a severe or even mild bout of flu or a cold is, indeed, cause for caution. An infection, viral or bacterial, can throw fragile health off balance for months, and can pose serious complications, too, especially for people on chemotherapy or other immunosuppressive medications.

And, yet, we do not want to isolate ourselves too much because this is, after all, the time of year when we have the opportunity to see people we haven’t visited with in a long time, or attend parties, concerts, tree-lighting ceremonies, and religious services that are special and inspirational.

Balancing health with the holidays is a very individual thing. Given lupus and my other health considerations, I try to pick my special events carefully and avoid situations where I might be exposed to germs. I also try to get enough rest, eat well, and stay on my medication regimen. Frequent hand-washing and other precautions help, too, as does understanding that an extra illness may happen anytime, not just at this holiday season.

Overall, with prayer and a faith focus, I try not to be afraid of getting sick for the holidays. Advent and Christmas are seasons of personal, spiritual preparation and growth, and these can happen with or without getting sick during the holidays!

Blessings for the day,

Maureen