Just How Did You Get That Cold?

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Just How Did You Get That Cold?
by Jacquie Hale

Do you give more thought to why the stock market shot up or what when wrong with last night's casserole than why you caught the latest cold? Did you just say, "I caught the latest cold because it was going around and everyone is catching it"? Aha, there's an unconscious idea-that you have no control over whether or not you get sick. Think back to the Valentine's Sweetheart's Ball when you were in high school. If you had a big date, did you come down with a cold? Maybe you did the following day, but it's quite likely you did not get sick the day of that event -- or most big events that you really want to attend.

What I've seen in my practice is people getting a cold or the flu every time they are about to give that big presentation or while preparing for or coming down from some important event. Yes, the reason you catch a cold or the latest version of the flu is because of a virus going around. There's no doubt about that. But when you catch it is a big clue to what you need at that particular time in your life. Think back to the last time you were laid low by some bug and answer these questions:

*What was going on in your life just before or planned for during or after?

*What did you do while recovering from the illness?

*What did you long for (maybe your mother's chicken soup or your father's reading your favorite story). Get honest here, what did you really want in your deepest heart?

*Why was it inevitable that you would get this illness at this exact time?

*What did you get for yourself from having this illness that you couldn't have gotten through your normal activities?

These are important questions to ask about any illness or diseases. We often get sick so that we will take care of ourselves (or someone else will take care of us) in a way we cannot accomplish in our normal everyday lives. Recently, I was about to lead a retreat and my husband came down with the flu. He described the symptoms to me as I was packing up the car. I took off for the retreat and had a vague thought that I didn't have time to have this right now. The retreat went well but had a surprise ending. As we were saying the last words of appreciation and goodbye, I felt the exact symptoms that Jim had described. I didn't catch this flu bugs at the same time he did (although we are pretty sure we were exposed at the same time) because I had something important to do. But here's an even more interesting question, why did I catch it at all?

In the past few years, I have not caught the latest strain of contagion. Why this one? What did I need that I wasn't giving myself? Well, a new creative idea had landed a few days before the retreat. If I had done my normal schedule, I would have come home and started doing things to move the creative idea along. What I identified as I laid low for a few days was that I could really flesh out the idea before I took and action. I needed the creative space to think about a project before I enacted it. This is often the pattern I have seen in myself. When I need space to think about something or need to stop before I take some action, I am likely to catch a cold that ensures that I do what I need. In the last few years, as I've said, I have caught few colds. It is not coincidence that I have been paying attention to when I need a few days to regroup or rest or just be still so an inspiration can bloom and set up my life so I have the time I need.

For other people, it might be that they get sick when their have too many things to do-there's no better way to get a mental health day that to need a sick day. Others get sick when they are performing some activity that is scary. If they are sick, they can beg off at the last minute if the anxiety level gets too high to tolerate. All of this does not mean that a good nutrition or a good immune system don't play a big part in the occurrence of illness, they do. But you can enhance even the healthiest life style with some conscious awareness of what you need and decrease the incidences of both acute illnesses and chronic diseases.

Conscious Health Habit #1
Be vigilant about the balance in your life. Notice when you need to take time for yourself or when you are pushing yourself to do things that aren't comfortable. Then do what you need to make your life balanced and fulfilled. Take a day or two off before you get sick to deal with what is up in your life. And don't forget, eat your broccoli!
© Jacqueline Hale, 2000

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Jacquie Hale may be contacted at http://www.vibrancecoach.com jacquie@vibrancecoach.com. Click here to view more of their articles.
As a professional coach, I help people identify what they want from life and create a plan to get it. In addition to my telephone coaching, I create workshops, teleclasses, and home-study courses to help people identify their dreams and make them come true.

I am also a wellness advisor using nutrition, bodywork, and essential oils (aromatherapy) to support health and well being. I help people wake up to all the possibilities for wellness in the body, mond, and spirit. Vibrance! is living a balanced, vibrant life.