Flu Survival Guide
I have taken up residency in my bed for four straight days. There is a pile of dirty Kleenex balls on my night table, along with lots of pills and several mugs of tea.
I have the flu, like so many of us do this time of year, and since I can barely talk (this flu put razor blades in my throat), I thought I'd compile a slideshow of tech tools that can help you stay healthy or deal with the sick. Click NEXT (above right) to see more.
Misery loves company— If you don't want to feel alone this flu season, track how sick the rest of the nation is with the official
CDC FluView App.
Brilliant. It's a little pricey at $240, but this Breville One-Touch Tea Maker
does it all: Heats the water and adds the tea, then REMOVES it at the right time. No more bitter tea, which is especially off-putting when you're sick, no?
My Seamless app has been getting a lot of use while I'm home alone. I've been tapping orders for soup and rice from local restaurants all over. I love Seamless even when I'm healthy, because I can easily refer to past history and don't have to reconstruct "my usual" order again and again. Plus it lets me know any restaurant near me that has delivery or take-out options, so I'm always spotting new restaurants in my hood that I haven't tried.
Looks like just a blender, but this Cuisinart Blend-and-Cook Soup Maker can heat up what's spinning inside. That means I can add some fresh veggies and broth, then go blow my nose while it blends it and heats it. When I return, I've got flu-busting soupy goodness. Makes smoothies too, and anything else you want to whip up. $113
If you've got the flu, so does your smartphone. Drop it in the Violight UV Cellphone Sanitizer, though and it will be disinfected in no time. $29
Here's me discussing the ick factor on your smartphone and all the rest of your gadgets. Watch this Digitwirl video to learn how to get them germ-free without wrecking your tech.
One of the easiest things you can do to get healthy fast is to get lots of sleep. The Zeo Personal Sleep Manager can help you get more shut eye, and lets you know how high quality your nap actually was. It's like having a sleep coach on your bedside table. $240.
They say getting a healthy dose of Vitamin D is a real immune booster. But how much sun is too much? The D Minder App can help you figure it out, based on data in your local area.
8 Comments
Sarah says:
Oh No!!! So sorry to hear you're down with the flu! It went through our house too and was miserable! Thanks for the tips, in case we go down again! Feel better soon!!
Andi-Roo (@theworld4realz) says:
Very cool apps --- thanks for compiling this awesome list!
Rhonda says:
Hope you are feeling better soon Carley, no fun!
I especially like that Violight!! That, along with hand sanitizer should keep us from getting sick!
CKnobloch says:
Rhonda— I know, that's a cool little toy!
Erin says:
I had the same flu right after Christmas and it felt like razors in my lungs. It does make you feel like death, but I am a little concerned that you have an ad for creamation services right after finishing your story about the flu! Feel better soon.
CKnobloch says:
Erin— LOL! I can't control those ads... but that's funny timing.
http://bing.com says:
Just what exactly truly motivated you to write “Flu Survival Guide | Digitwirl”?
I personallyreally enjoyed the post! Thanks a lot ,Genesis
CKnobloch says:
um... I had the flu.