Wednesday Thoughts

I'm kind of embarrassed about what I'm about to tell you guys but it was so interesting an experience, I just have to.

I mentioned in the past couple posts that I suddenly came down with bronchitis at the end of last week. It came on very suddenly and incredibly strong. Before I knew it, I was down for the count. Lungs filled up, asthma compromised, fever, shivering, Kleenex everywhere, etc. Just miserable.

I was so frustrated. My attitude about this illness has been anger and annoyance. I've already been sick several times in the last six months. Really sick. I had bronchitis in the fall, and the flu (the real flu) in January. I can't be sick again! First of all, what will other people think? That I'm faking it? That I'm exaggerating it? And should I call in sick to work? Will people be annoyed if I come in and seem sick?

I was just so frustrated.

So yesterday, I was taking the dog I'm staying with on a short walk, and I started thinking about those studies where people say mean things to something - a plant, typically - and over time the thing shrivels up and ceases to thrive simply because of the mean words and negative energy. So I thought, maybe I should start saying encouraging things to myself about healing instead of being frustrated with being sick.

This is the embarrassing part.

So as I walked the dog, I thought to myself things like,

You're doing such a good job of healing. 
You're fighting the germs and they're leaving your body. 
You're making amazing strides.
You're getting healthier and you're doing great at it.

Immediately my body felt more relaxed and less tense. As the day went on, I kept encouraging myself in this way. Today I feel about 50% better than I did yesterday.

Could it just be that I'm following the natural life span of this virus? Maybe. I just know that I felt physically calmer and healthier when I said encouraging things to myself rather than thinking about how my body betrayed me and how frustrated I was with it. I felt more optimistic and I believed I would be able to heal instead of just enduring, frustratedly.

I know a lot of people who are fighting viruses right now. Give your body a pep talk! It might help? Maybe it won't cure you (but maybe it will?) but it might help you relax and be less frustrated. Our bodies are amazing.

Happy Wednesday!