I had big plans for January. I was going to clean my office, get my accounting all done, map out my strategy for the year, schedule a bunch of events and then…the flu made it's way into my lungs – for almost a month!
The day before New Year's I had a long-awaited massage. I was proud of myself for asking for a self-care gift for Christmas. This was one of the things my husband obliged me with and I knew it was going to feel great. 90 minutes of deep tissue, just for me! But while I was face down on the table, I started coughing. Right then! My therapist was a little concerned. I assured her it just started and I had no idea where it was coming from. I had not been sick up to that point. During the massage, I felt a little sore…my muscles were not enjoying the massage.
That evening I realized I was coming down with something. When I can't drink a glass of wine I know I'm not doing well. So, I layed off the alcohol and started drinking tea, with lemon, oregano and peppermint essential oils. The flu took a couple of days to attack my body and then the chills, aches, fever and never-ending cough came. I found myself lying in bed watching every episode of Downton Abbey. I started to feel real guilty.
No business woman lays in bed that long and watches soap operas. But I did. I couldn't bring myself to do anything or even think about work. This went on for 7 days. The fever broke and the aches subsided, but the cough would not loosen up, so I went to the doc and got some antibiotics – AND an inhaler! My first inhaler ever. After a week on those, it still wasn't going away, so another 10 days of antiobiotics was the protocol, which then lead to a yeast infection. Of course!
I want you to know that I dealt with the guilt of watching too much television and just decided to rest, rest and rest some more. I didn't sleep with my husband for 3 weeks so he wouldn't be constantly woken up by my coughing. But I took baths, slept on the couch, caught up with my friends and family and allowed my husband to take care of me.
Something happens when you're sick. You get depressed, down, totally unmotivated. Your mind starts to think very negative things. It's a good thing I'm so positive because I had to have these little talks with myself. "Lisa, don't think that way, this is so temporary. Look at what some of your friends have had to endure…you can pick up the pace again once you're well…take advantage of this time and let it go!"
I don't know if I will get the flu shot next year. I've never understood how a flu shot made with 1 or 2 strains of a virus can protect you from all the strains out there. But I am considering the shot. I really don't want to spend another month on the couch – this year or next.
I wrote this to let you all know that I'm going to practice what I preach – Self-Care is important. We need to assist ourselves when our bodies are under attack. We need to rest and recouperate, allow ourselves to recover and be okay with missing a few events, work or house projects.
How has your winter gone so far? Did you get sick? Did you watch endless episodes of Netflix series? Did you have to work through your discomfort? If so, my hat goes off to you. Leave your comments below and share this article if you think it might help someone.