Too much, too soon

I have a cold.  I have the kind of cold that dwells like a worry at the back of my throat and is working its way up into my sinuses causing me havoc in more ways than I can count.  It's not just a "common cold" as if that exists, but a clearly definable bacterial infection causing head-cold like symptoms.  If I am lucky, the judicious use of a neti pot will keep it from turning into a full blown, and very painful, sinus infection. 

See I haven't really had a cold since learning I have Coeliac's Disease.  I had a couple days of flue which were really rather nasty, but never "just" a cold.  My immune system was no longer so busy fighting off the invading gluten that ti could actually concentrate on the other invaders.  My digestive system was actually providing me the nourishment my body needed from the foods that I ate.  I had actually forgotten what it was like to just get a cold even though it has been less than a year since my diagnosis. I had forgotten just how fragile a human bdy can be.

The thing is, I needed reminding.  I have been pushing myself, body and mind, harder these last two weeks than I have in quite some time.  Between the long hours at school and associated stress of September, the work at church and nervousness that comes with new responsibilities, a steady stream of stress due to my volunteer work, and then long nights spent chatting at parties, socialising, and generally chilling with good people (I know better than to drink too much on nights like these), I have simply been expecting my body to do too much.  I thought an evening off for exercise, and then brunch the next morning would be enough to recharge and then get right back into it. Not true.  There was a birthday party and not enough sleep in between.  There was the reality that, though I am confident that parkour classes will ultimately be excellent stress relief, and a life-enhancing practice (somersaults!  squee!) I pushed too hard that first class.  I tried to keep up with people in far better shape than I am.  And I felt it for three days afterwards.  I ached in muscles I had long forgotten existed, and even more in ones I knew about.  It hurt to stand up or sit down, and I dreaded such basic activities as climbing a set of stairs.  Note to self: When starting a new exercise regime, start slow, and not on a week when you are already too busy.

What I need now is radical self-care.  I need to refocus my attention on realistic priorities and what is important here and now: Get healthy.  Stay up to date in readings and assignments.  If not, nothing else will get done  at all.  This means sleep, water, restricting caffeine, eating well, and doing light exercise.  It means taking time out for spiritual practice, and family.  It means making a list, dchoosing priorities, and then taking apart the extras.  I means saying "no."

I hate saying no.