Make a copy of your passport and visa and keep it in a safe place.

If your passport is lost or stolen, you should call the Stamford office to speak to the Compliance Officer. Then you should contact the consulate or embassy of your home country and get the process started to replace your passport.   Chances are your visa was stapled in your passport. If you lost your visa as well, you cannot travel outside the U.S., but you can stay in the U.S. to finish the program. To learn how to replace your visa, visit http://aupairinamerica.com/resources/life_in_the_us/procedure_5.asp

We’re in the dog days of the New England Winter and many of you have experienced more snow and cold temperatures than you ever have in your own country.  Days are short, the nights are cold, which gives many of us the “winter blues,” characterized by mild depression, lack of motivation, and low energy.  It can also make you feel more isolated and homesick.

Here are some tips on how to keep your mood lifted during the dark months of the year:

*get enough sleep and rest – we need more of it in the winter – but don’t oversleep, which will make you more lethargic.  Sometimes a short nap can work wonders!  Relax when your energy level is down and give yourself time to rejuvenate.

*get out into the fresh air and sun as much as possible.  The sun provides you with vitamin D and improves your mood.  The air provides you with oxygen and you’ll feel more energized.

*exercise regularly. It maintains your weight, lifts your mood, releases stress and gives you more energy.

*eat healthy food.  Try to eat less refined and processed food (white bread, white rice and sugar) and more complex carbohydrates like whole wheat bread, brown rice, vegetables and fruit.  This gives your body more nutrients and stabilizes your blood sugar and energy level.   Make sure you drink your 8 glasses of water each day.

*Rely on your social network.  Meeting with friends over coffee and tea and chatting on the phone can brighten your mood.  You can always give me a call!

*Plan something that is exciting to you.  Looking forward to an event can brighten your mood: a weekend trip, a party, a sporting event, reading a nice book or watching a movie under the warm covers.

*Embrace the winter season.  Make the best out of what it has to offer – skiing, skating, sledding, building snow men, making snow angels.  If you don’t let winter bother you, your spirits will be brighter!

You are likely to find ice and snow on the roads in New England this time of the year. There are some basic rules to remember to stay safe in the car in difficult driving conditions:

• Start early and take your time.
• Accelerate slowly, especially on hills
• Drive slowly to avoid having to stop while going up a hill, as it will be hard to start again.
• Don’t make any sudden turns or stops.
• Be sure that the mirrors and windows are always free of snow and ice.
• If you skid, try to steer in the direction the car is sliding to regain control.
• The changes in temperature sometimes cause potholes in the streets. If you don’t see the pothole in time to steer around it, apply the brakes before hitting the pothole and release them just before you reach the pothole. If you keep the brake on as you hit the pothole, it will do more damage to the tire.
• Try to keep your gas tank at least half full.
• If your wheels spin on ice, switch to low gear, even on automatics.
• Leave extra space between you and the car in front of you.
• Remember that bridges and exit ramps are icier than roads.
• Ask what kind of brakes your car has and how to use them in case of a skid.

What is Novel H1N1 (swine flu)? It is an influenza virus that has never been seen in humans before and is spreading around the world. The virus can spread from people who are infected to others through coughs and sneezes.

What are the symptoms? The symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Many people also have reported diarrhea and vomiting.

How is swine flu different from seasonal flu? The swine flu takes its biggest toll on people younger than 25, pregnant women and people with asthma, diabetes, immune deficiencies and other chronic conditions. Seasonal flu usually takes its biggest toll on the very young and the very old, along with those who have chronic diseases.

How can I protect myself from getting sick? Get vaccinated. Vaccine for seasonal flu is available thought flu clinics, a limited amount of vaccine for swine flu is now available through the towns. Public health experts advise adults and children to get both vaccines.

If I do get sick what do I have to do? If you’re otherwise healthy, don’t have a high fever and are not suffering from any respiratory symptoms (difficulty breathing or shortness of breath; pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen), public health experts recommend staying home, taking fever-reducing medicine, getting lots of rest and drinking plenty of fluids.

When do I have to go to the hospital? Go and see the doctor immediately if in addition to the common flu symptoms (fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches and headache) you also experience: difficulty breathing or shortness of breath; pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen; sudden dizziness; confusion; severe or persistent vomiting.

What does the au pair insurance cover? If you are diagnosed with swine or seasonal flu and you need a special treatment, the cost of any medical exam, hospitalization, medication and other medically necessary treatment will be covered by Au Pair in America health insurance.

PS! Please note – vaccines ARE NOT covered. The seasonal flu vaccine costs around $30.00, the swine flu vaccine is free of charge.

Where can I get flu vaccine? CVS pharmacy “Minute Clinics” are good places to go. They are open 7 days a week and have evening hours.

5 easy steps to stay healthy during the flu season:

•Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow. Throw out dirty tissues immediately.

•Wash hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing and sneezing. Alcohol hand sanitizers are effective as well.

•Keep hands away from your eyes, nose and mouth.

•If you’re sick with flu-like illness, keep away from others to keep from making them sick.

•Avoid close contact with sick people, if possible.

More information about seasonal and swine flu:

Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services