Feeling a bit “off”

It seems that wherever I go, people are coughing.  Tis the season.

At a recent doctor’s visit I was greeted by a delightful receptionist who had a terrible cough.  I felt so bad for her, especially since she was greeting sick people and she had clearly joined the ranks of those who feel awful.  Fortunately, for her and for everyone else, she was consistently sanitizing her hands.

Ever think about how much a “coughing fit” takes out of you?  Your eyes water, it’s hard to catch a breath, and your whole body feels as though it has been run over by a truck.

And just when you find a calm moment, the pre-cough tickle returns and there you go again.

Yes, grandma’s recipe for lemon-ginger-honey tea soothes, especially when sipped while snug under an afghan.  But most of the time the coughing masses are coughing while trying to function in their lives!

Just think of what it’s like being overcome while driving.  Or sitting on a crowded bus.  Or walking to work.  Or giving a presentation.  Or helping a customer.  Or preparing dinner.  Or taking care of the kids.

As we enter the holiday season, in close proximity to people who are sick and well, we all need to take extra care of ourselves to try to prevent getting sick and at the same time, offer the person who is overcome by a coughing fit that you feel for them.