Woman with a cold by Vera Kratochvil

Excuse Me While I Whine by Steph Beth Nickel

Forgive the pun, but I have a killer immune system. So, when I do get sick, I have been known to be very miserable. I am thankful that as the years have gone by, I have learned not to whine—so much.

My daughter decided it was a good idea to share her sinus cold with me. (Why, oh why, did I teach her to share when she was little?) What have I learned this time round?

While lying in bed or vegging in front of the TV is very tempting, I’m glad I have motivation not to do so. My son is coming home for a visit and a friend of mine is due to arrive the day he leaves. Therefore, this horrible housekeeper had some things to tend to. And hooray! I did some—though not all—of what I wanted to get accomplished before his arrival.

So, what does this have to do with fitness? Let me explain.

Though there are times we need to hunker down and just get better, plugging along can work wonders.

1. Walking the dog—although I admit the walks have been shorter—has kept me moving, at least a little.

2. Puttering around the house and going on a lengthy shopping trip kept my mind off of how I felt for a while—and ensured that we won’t trip over the clutter or go hungry. While not exercise per se, it kept me moving.

3. Sometimes lying around just makes us more achy, so moving—even if it’s more slowly—is a good idea.

4. Eating healthy when we don’t particularly feel like it can keep our strength up and help us fight the germs that wreak havoc on our system. If you don’t feel much like eating, consider hunting up recipes for nutritious smoothies. You might even want to add a scoop of protein powder.

5. Getting enough sleep is advisable at any time, but it’s especially important if your body is fighting something. If your schedule allows, you might even want to schedule a nap in the afternoon.

6. This is just a cold, but I have heard of a number of people who developed pneumonia this year. I encourage you to know yourself well. If you suspect things are out of the ordinary, I encourage you to check in with your doctor. It takes a team effort to stay healthy and fit.

7. And never underestimate the positive effect of a good attitude—for you and the people around you. While I have been known to whine over relatively inconsequential cold and flu bugs, I have learned that I have much to be thankful for. There are so many people who have chronic—even terminal—illnesses who don’t let it get them down. They are an inspiration.

So, how about you? What is your go-to solution if you get sick?

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Steph Beth Nickel is an author, a freelance editor and writer, a labour doula, and a former personal trainer. She’d love to connect with you on Facebook or Twitter, on her website or blog.