Last week a bad cold left me in bed, feeling like I was at the mercy of a relentless wave of congestion and fatigue. It is not the end of the world, I know, but it certainly made the passing of each day feel like a century. In order to find some confort, I kept reminding myself that it was just a temporary setback, and tehre was nothing not do but rest.

During the long days of waiting for the flu to pass, I realized that in these moments of extreme vulnerability, we learn to value the small miracles of everyday life (who would be able to think, outside of the flu state, of the wonders of a decongested nose?). Taking for my own example, we also become much more sensitive to gestures of kindness (or lack thereof).

The heightened awareness of our own fragility makes us more attuned to the actions and attitudes of those around us, whether it is a friend offering to run errands or a stranger showing impatience in a crowded pharmacy. The absence of a helping hand or a comforting word is felt more deeply, while an unexpected act of generosity can lift the spirits to an unimaginable degree.

It is as if the slowing down of our usual routine allows us to truly appreciate the simple pleasures we often take for granted, like a warm cup of tea or the comfort of a cozy blanket. Being aware of both the subtle joys and the shortcomings of human interaction can build a quite profound connection to our environement, shaping our perception of the world long after the illness has passed.

But there is also another connection that strengthens when we are sick: the connection with our own body. Only when we are sick do we really realize all the intricate mechanisms and the amazing processes that keep us healthy and how delicate they are.

Personally, I always considered being sick an alert. It is the way our body reminds us to listen to it and take proper care of it, nurturing and respecting it. A flu, as annoying as it ca be, can also prompt us to appreciate the complexity of our bodies and the resilience of our immune system. It offers us a chance to reflect on the importance of self-care and the need to listen to our bodies.

When we are unwell, we become acutely aware of the numerous small signals and sensations that our body constantly sends us, and that we mostly ignore. We start to pay attention to the subtle changes, the twinges, and the discomfort that we might otherwise overlook in our busy lives. As we navigate through the discomfort, we may find ourselves reevaluating our habits and priorities, considering how we can better care for ourselves.

And last, but certainly not least, going through a cold made me, once more, admire the capacity of this wonderful machine called the human body to heal itself. I have always admired the power of the human body to recover. Even when faced with adversity, the resilience of the human body is a true, yet not completely understood wonder.

It is truly remarkable how the immune system kicks into high gear, working tirelessly to combat the invading pathogens and restore balance within. When it comes down to it, it is all about the immune system, working hard to keep us going strong.

Yes, of course I also thought about all the things I want to do differently from now on, more aligned with a mens sana in corpore sano stance. After all, we cannot avoid catching the flu every now and then, but we can, at least, try to use the experience to become a little smarter.

Be seeing you!

G.F.