According to Dr. Ben Kim in his article What Most Doctors Won’t Tell You About Colds and Flus¹,  “By and large, the viruses that cause the common cold and the flu infect mainly your weakest cells; cells that are already burdened with excessive waste products and toxins are most likely to allow viruses to infect them. These are cells that you want to get rid of anyway, to be replaced by new and healthy cells. Therefore, ultimately, it is one of the body’s quickest natural ways to purge itself of flawed and damaged cells, which may take much longer without the illness.”

Cellular transformation aside, getting sick is our body’s way of messaging us to slow down and make more time for self-care. We often overexert by taking on too many commitments, constantly wearing ourselves down and neglecting time to re-nourish and recover. Taking the time to heal is an opportunity to contemplate harmful catalysts in our lives and to formulate changes to improve our own well-being.

Best-selling author Alan Cohen articulates this idea well in his book, A Daily Dose of Sanity, stating: “Sniffles or a cold sore are life’s way of telling you that you have just gotten off balance, and it is time to take a step back to reclaim your equilibrium. You do not have to quit what you are doing forever; just take whatever time you need to return to a poised state. From that position, you will feel better and accomplish far more than you would have if you just kept pushing yourself. Thank your body for its signals. It is the best message service you could have.”

The journey of self-discovery through recovery requires temporarily postponing some of the tasks on your perpetual to-do list. Not to worry, those chores will still be there waiting for you when you recover. In fact, once you achieve a clear mind and body it’s the perfect time to re-prioritize and eliminate some of the unnecessary obligations on that ever-expanding list.

Take the time to remove that which is no longer meaningful and add items that perpetrate self-fulfillment. Reflect on your diet, nutrition, exercise, being outdoors, connecting with others, and personal time. Listen to what your body is trying to convey so you can make adjustments that will ultimately manifest a stronger you. Love yourself through the sickness and plan a more purposeful life beyond it.

So, the next time you feel the sniffles and your body aches from head to toe, do not necessarily despair. Lean into yourself and embrace the ailment as a time for positive transformation physically and spiritually. Mindful misery for the WIN.

¹http://drbenkim.com/cold-flu-difference-health.html

About the Author – Madison DeCamillis