Self Soothing in a Crisis
When I worked on my fear of flying with Cognitive Behavior Therapy, I learned that fear of flying can result because the individual has not developed their mechanisms for 'self soothing' and calming themselves.
I engaged in some self soothing yesterday, as I knew that if I just 'did something' and felt like I was at least preparing, it would be helpful to my mental state.
I went out and purchased some of the travel size hand sanitizers and hand wipes (in case of a run on them *rolls eyes*). I have plans to force my family to carry them with them if things get worse, but right now I'm not making them do that. I also bought two packages of Oscillococcinum, as reallyginnyf suggested. I have an aversion to Tamiflu as when I had pneumonia a few years ago, a few hours after taking it I was unable to breathe and had to go to the hospital. I don't know if it was related to the Tamiflu but I've always been turned off to it since then. There was no Tamiflu to be found anywhere, anyway.
As of this morning it sounds like US cases have gone up to 50, from 40 yesterday. Of course the media is not looking at it this way, but that doesn't sound like a dramatic, pandemic like increase, does it? I actually felt good about the fact that there were only 10 new cases reported overnight.
I did cancel my dental appointment for myself and the kids, just because I knew it would make me feel better, and there was no harm in delaying it a few weeks until we see if this is going to fizzle out.
Were my actions rational or necessary? I fully realize that they may not be. But, I know myself well enough that I understand that taking these 'self soothing' actions will improve my stress level.
Hopefully in a few weeks I can store all of the hand santizer and flu medicine in my basement with my gas masks, full body chemical suits (not kidding), generator (Y2K), duct tape, and food stockpile.