Haven’t been feeling 100%. Sat on a bus last week close to a man who sneezed and coughed for the whole 20 minute journey. The bus was full so on the lower deck, there are possibly 36 other Brightonians with colds over the weekend too.
Frustrated and cross, I got up on Friday morning determined a mere cold was not going to stop me from achieving work goals. I wrote up my ‘to do’ list, whilst swigging back lemsip, honey, hot water and fresh lemons. Within an hour I had collapsed back to bed feeling weak, exhausted and very sorry for myself. I gave in. I agreed with my body that we would stay in the warm and enjoy a quiet, recuperating weekend. What I’ve found through the experience is that sneezes and sniffles and staying away from everyone can be positive.
Four benefits from giving into a cold:
1. I had the perfect excuse on Friday, to lie under a duvet and listen to non-stop BBC Radio 4. I drifted into and out of sleep listening to the dulcet tones of John Humphreys, Kirsty Young, and Jenni Murray. I learnt why there are so many young Italians in London through a radio documentary, caught up with the Euro-crisis with Edward Sturton on ‘The World at One’ and sympathised with Susan Carter on ‘The Archers’.
2. When I usually go out, it is with a purpose. I stride on my way to the shops or meeting. On Saturday afternoon, feeling a little better, I wandered. I strolled down into Kemptown village for some air and winter sunshine. I nosed around the second-hand shops, bought grapes and chatted to a friend I met.
3. Sunday morning, even with a ‘feeling much better’ cold, I still had an excuse to stay in bed a little longer than usual, get up leisurely, enjoy a warm bath and read a couple of chapters of my book. Then another wander to the local shops for a Sunday newspaper which gave me an excuse to treat myself to a late roast lunch at our local pub whilst catching up on the news. With time to read the whole newspaper plus the review, having a cold was starting to feel like a holiday.
4. I’ve been reflecting on my health. It’s only when I am feeling under the weather that I think about what being healthy means. Apart from a minor cold, this has been a good year for me. I’ve had no major injuries or illness. I am grateful to my body for keeping me safe. I’m grateful that most days, I am full of energy. I’m grateful I can touch my toes. I’m grateful for my mobility, that I can walk into town and back again. Being sick for a few days reminds me not to take my good health for granted.
If you catch a cold this winter, look at it as a blessing. Give yourself some space and time to take care of yourself. Don’t push yourself. This is your body giving you the opportunity to slow down, look around and spoil yourself – just a little bit. Enjoy the next cold you catch.
Anne Booth
on Dec 24th, 2011
@ 12:01 pm:
I absolutely agree with this. This run up to Christmas has been dominated by children, husband and me all taking it in turns to be ill, but now that we have realised we all need to take it very very easy we are focusing on staying warm and being together and getting through it, and it actually has its ‘up’ side. I hope that we all feel well very soon, but that we keep the lack of (often self-imposed) pressure!
admin
on Dec 24th, 2011
@ 12:28 pm:
It’s difficult sometimes not to give into the pressure of Christmas but why do we do it? It’s a couple of days where the only important thing is, as you say, being together and wishing each other ‘happy christmas’ with a smile and a hug. I wish you and your family a happy and healthy 2012. Many thanks for your response.