Knocked for six, or the tale of the three-headed monster virus

Can you tell I’m bored? yeah, well, I’ve been stuck in bed for 3 days, taken out of action by a virus of the inner ear. Labyrinthitis they call it. I think I got lost down the halls of Paint college and never made it to a lesson!

 

But it was fun to draw something from the imagination, straight down, bypassing the ever-present perfectionist Censor. How would a 3 headed monster, drawn on Paint ever look beautiful anyway? I think we’ll leave the perfectionism at the door this time, no?

So anyway. Felt sick and dizzy at work Tuesday, left work early, straight to the doctors, and she mentioned labyrinthitis. fun times. heard of that one. lasts for days if not weeks. joy.

Quite honestly, I’ve felt a little bit like Bambi. Couldn’t stand up for more than 2 minutes and I’d be in bed nauseous and feeling just generally horrible for the next hour.

 

Basically, this thing is like being sea sick when you’re not even on sea, travel sick when you’re not moving. All because the maze (labyrinth) inside my head thinks it’s a good plan to become inflamed and send some rather funky signals to my brain about what’s going on in the old balance system.

Maybe a bit like this, except you’re stationary.

A snippet of conversation with my body:

Body: mwahahahaha now you’ll listen.

Me: what did I doooo!!!

Body: Ignore me. I don’t like being ignored. So I sent a virus. Mwahahahah.

Me: Nice. Thanks. I heard you now, alright? Point taken, bed. Rest. Lots of sleep.

I devised a virus diet

Apple juice, and dry Cheerios in a bag. Insanely comforting, and the only thing I could eat as a sick child. oh and dry pasta for dinner. Rock on, haute cuisine!

 

So, yeah. Back to normal ish service, soon. I hope.

Take home message:

Our bodies are important. They’re the things that will let us live this life we are meant for. I’ll be forever sure that my body will take drastic measures for me to listen, if I dare to ignore it again.

Until then, be well. Look out for the three headed monster virus!

 And here are some very cute puppies. Just 'cus.

 

The week ahead

A short one today, one to say thank you for the support and encouragement on my last post. It means so much that you, lovely readers, take the time to comment. It lights up my day when I receive email notifications. I've left replies for each comment :)

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For the week ahead, may you listen to what your body is telling you. Are you downing caffeinated drinks or craving sugar? Are you falling asleep standing up?

I invite you to listen to the subtle messages of your body. How do your shoulders feel? Your stomach? Identify any triggers for stress, and how these manifest in your body. I get stomach problems if I’m under pressure, and dizzy spells if I’m exhausted beyond measure.

Take a moment to do a body scan, check out your feet, your legs, your arms, stomach, torso, neck and head. Notice how each one is behaving or feeling. I get twitchy eyes if I don’t get enough sleep.

The body gives clues as to what is really happening. So often we ignore them, and no wonder so many people including me, take time off work due to stress and illness.

Nothing is more important than your health. It gives you life, energy and motivation to do the things that matter to you. Treat it well.

If you can, make some time this week for an activity just for you. Take time alone, and indulge in your favourite self-care activity. A good idea is to make a vision board of all the ways you can take care of yourself. Things you would love to do, but don’t make {enough} time for. Here is mine, that I did a few months ago. It’s on my wall as a reminder.

 

For the week ahead,

May you be well,

Linda