The quality of our lives depends on how we focus our energy and our attention.
Hmm. Either that bug that laid me low last Saturday came back in a milder form, or I just have a bad cold with some minor aches and pains. Whatever it is I’ve been fighting it since Wednesday. So I’ve been taking good care of myself and trying to get something constructive done…something that doesn’t take a lot of energy.
I decided it would be a good time to go through all of my unorganized files and pictures on the computer. I’d been putting that off for a long time, and it turns out it was a good choice. The pictures brought back all sorts of warm fuzzy memories, especially of dogs from the local shelter. For a while I used to go over almost every day, and I truly loved some of the dogs. The above two pictures are of Samantha, an elderly dog who had no problem getting adopted because she was the mellowest, most cheerful dog I’ve ever known. She’s still lifting my spirits after all of these years.
Some people think oxytocin and warm fuzzy feelings rev up the immune system. I don’t know about that, but it certainly makes recuperating more pleasant. 🙂
I’ve also been listening to a lot of good audio books, which also helps. What about you? What do you do when you’re feeling under the weather?
I doubt very much that oxytocin will help me! Warm fuzzy feelings most decidedly do.
When I feel under the weather, I try and go out for a walk. If I cannot do that for whatever reason, I cook.
I see that my URL has been wrongly entered in the earlier comments. I have rectified it now.
One more goof up, thanks to commentluv now rectified. Sorry about the multiple comments Jean.
If I start feeling like I have a cold, I use Zicam. It usually seems to reduce the severity of the symptoms and shortens the duration. Several years ago, when we going up to Wisconsin to visit, we started taking it before we got there because both the grandkids had colds. I don’t know if it helped, but we didn’t get sick.
If it’s anything else, I’m pretty much a wuss.
>Either that bug that laid me low last Saturday came back in a milder form, or I just have a bad cold with some minor aches and pains.
– 🙁 Bugs have gotten more virulent now. I’ve noticed that colds and flus take a good week longer to recover from than about a decade ago.
You sound definitely on the mend; *almost* mended, I’d say. Good to hear that, Jean.
>What do you do when you’re feeling under the weather?
– I have warned every boss I’ve worked with that I will take a sick day or two the moment I feel the slightest trace of flu because I don’t like to turn into a wheezing, snivelling mess and have to down meds. I’ve never had trouble with that request and the few times I’ve done this, I really have been good.
I hunker down under the covers, drink a little more than my two litres of water a day, salt water gargles if required, keep quiet (this is hard for me), eat (fortunately, my appetite doesn’t get affected.) and stay warm with socks, scarf around the neck and a hoodie. My method has never failed me. I can remember as far back as 20 years and during this time, I’ve never had to resort to antibiotics or expectorants. Oh, I do take a Tylenol to keep the low grade fever down and to feel less creaky.
Oh, Samantha is such a doll! She has a gentle face and such trusting eyes. Aww. Her adoptive family is very lucky.
I hope the fire trucks did not turn up in your driveway for the same reason that the police jeeps did on Maria’s street.
>hi kate! you’re a little ray of sunshine.
– Why, thank you, Tammy. It would only be fair to let you know that this ray of sunshine turns into quite a dark bolt of thunder when she’s hungry, tired or sees an injustice.
>where are you bhb???
– I’m with you on this, Tammy. Where *are* you, bhb? We miss your humour.
Rammuser, I hope your brother and you can meet again soon. I feel that way about (my) Big Sis, too. One of my many dreams is to live next door to her when we retire. Inshallah. No, I’m not Muslim. I had worked in Saudi Arabia.
>The quality of our lives depends on how we focus our energy and our attention.
– Amen.
Kate
well. i’m in love with samantha. and so happy to hear that she was adopted. i’m with you monk, who cannot feel better just looking at that face!
this year i’ve had no colds, but a constant allergy. maybe due to our mild winter? don’t know why. but you feel about as miserable as you do with a cold. can’t breathe.
i worked with a guy that used to take thousands of milligrams of vitamin c as soon as he knew he was getting a cold. it always stopped it almost in 8 hours. in his head? (no pun intended!) or did it actually stop it? i haven’t ever tried it.
i’m a “cosy type” when i get sick. just want to sleep and wait it out. once though, i was given a hot toddy… buttered rum.
yum! felt wonderful! i hope you feel better soon.
I have lots of health issues as it is…but if I think I’m getting flu’y/cold – I have to immediately increase my Asthma meds. I’ve learnt the hard way why 🙂 I then try to stay home, in bed, resting and fluids. But if not possible make sure I’m rugged up and taken some meds so I don’t feel so awful, escaping to home asap! TOUCH WOOD, haven’t succumbed to the summer colds that are around right now…weather has been so changeable.
right now trying to stay ‘stress free’ – a visiting overseas relative had a nasty bicycle accident on Friday, my long time friend ended up in another hospital with something still being investigated, a long time colleague who had very poor health died, and I’m possibly in more trouble with my own health (won’t know for a couple of more weeks…)
oh cathy. my thoughts and prayers with you in your health issue. it’s really all we have. i hope you’re okay. it will be a long two weeks.
one of my dearest friends just found she has stage 4 breast cancer. she was widowed 3 years ago. she has the most amazing attitude! she told the oncologist, “i really don’t care.
everybody is going to die someday. if you’ll control the pain for me, i guess i’m ready!” and she remains cheerful.
love,
tammy j
A friend said they traveled across the country to visit their daughter & grandkids. They all had the flu which the visitors got & spent the visit in bed. “Why didn’t you tell us ya’ll were sick?” “Because we were afraid you wouldn’t come.” 🙂
Rummser
The oxytocin I’m taking about is released when I focus on things that generate those warm and fuzzy feelings. It’s easy enough to do, and as far as I can tell there are no bad side effects.
Mike,
I’ve heard about Zicam. I assume you haven’t had problems with losing your sense of smell? Apparently the FDA issued a warning about that, but I don’t know what dose they were talking about. The main thing is, if it works for you, go for it! Up until now I haven’t had much problem with colds or the flu. Andy and I both get our annual flu shot, which is supposed to help.
Kate,
I agree, at the first inkling of illness I try to head it off at the pass. It saves a lot of time and energy. One of my problems right now is I have to force myself to eat and drink, but I’m working on it!
I agree about Samantha, she was a real love.
tammy,
I know a lot of people with allergies, so you have my sympathy. Around here people used to say it takes about two years to get allergic to the local flora. And just about two years after we arrived I came down with a bad cold. I was so relieved it turned out to be a cold and not an allergy!
Cathy,
Good luck on the doctor’s report! Please let us know.
tammy,
I admire your friend. In one sense it’s almost easier to know it’s Stage 4 rather than the possibility of having to choose between quality of life and taking heroic measures. It seems to me the older we get the easier the decision is, assuming one has access to good palliative care.
bikehikebabe,
That wasn’t very friendly! 🙁
You are handling a lot right now. Good luck to you all!
The Zicam that had the problem with sense of smell issues was the nasal swabs and spray, which are not on the market any more. I used to use those and don’t think that my sense of smell was impaired by the Zicam. We also get our annual flu shots.
Mike,
Good! That you weren’t affected and that the FDA figured it out. The FDA isn’t perfect, but it’s still a lot better than the late 1800’s, early 1900’s, when the makers of patent medicines didn’t have to worry about the safety of the consumers.