As we enter cold and flu season amid continuing COVID-19 cases, Abbott (NYSE: ABT), makers of BinaxNOW™ COVID-19 Antigen Self Test, and The Home Edit, the world's number one organizational company and a global lifestyle brand, are partnering to redesign the medicine cabinet for today's health needs. Together, Abbott and The Home Edit will provide organization tips and advice on healthcare essentials to have on hand to feel more prepared and in control this season.
As COVID-19 becomes endemic, many aspects of family life have changed—including the types of products and medicines that families have on hand. People are growing more accustomed to managing their health from home, from vitamins and digital thermometers to Pedialyte® with Immune Support for hydration. At-home COVID-19 tests have become a necessity, as they give results in minutes, providing peace of mind and the ability to take action to quickly slow the spread of the virus.
"We love helping families get organized and there's no better time of year to do it than now," said Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin, founders of The Home Edit. "Going through your medicine cabinet and making sure you have health and wellness products on hand and organized can help you feel prepared for whatever the season brings. Essentials like BinaxNOW have become a staple in our medicine cabinets to keep our families protected from COVID-19."
To help families get ready for cold and flu season, Clea and Joanna are sharing how best to organize a medicine cabinet for preparedness and convenience, including their must-haves for keeping a cabinet well stocked, and in their signature style, also making it visually appealing.
Tips include:
- Select your space: Pick a spot based on where you use the products, the size of the space—starting small is perfectly fine—and if the area is climate controlled and away from children and pets. Properly storing your wellness products is key to keeping prepared.
- Edit and group: Check expiration dates and take inventory of what you have and need, especially as many of us have purchased new health products during the pandemic. Consider adding bins to group similar products.
- Create a system: Organization should balance the least amount of effort without sacrificing efficiency. Create designated zones that have a specific purpose and product, such as cuts and scrapes versus sick must-have items.
- Be ready to go: Create a "sick day" grab-and-go system or "COVID station" so you're prepared if or when symptoms strike. It's helpful to keep essentials like COVID tests, tissues, cold medication, pain reliever and more in one spot that is easily accessible and moveable, if needed.
- Label to easily find: Labels add a layer of instructions that help you find what you're looking for and guide you where to put items away.
Home organization is not only good for being prepared, but also can have surprising mental benefits as well.
"Many have faced mental health challenges during the pandemic including a sense of powerlessness due to all the unknowns," said Andrea Bonior, Ph.D., clinical psychologist and professor at Georgetown University. "Research has shown that organization can reduce stress and bring back some sense of control in these types of situations. Knowing that you have the ability to have answers and medicines on hand when sicknesses show up will add an extra layer of peace of mind."
Abbott has produced more than a billion BinaxNOW tests to help communities, organizations and families have access to reliable and quick results. The company's U.S. manufacturing facilities continue to make tens of millions of tests per month.
"While we still have a lot to learn about COVID-19, one thing that we know for sure is that it's not going away," says Aparna Ahuja, M.D., head of clinical and medical affairs, infectious diseases, Abbott. "Having rapid tests on hand will be critical to staying safe this season by ensuring that COVID-19 infections are diagnosed quickly, so the appropriate measures can be taken to get well and avoid the risk of spreading an infection."
Learn more about Abbott's BinaxNOW Self Test and tips on organizing your health space here.
Original source can be found here.
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