A cold rarely arrives at a convenient time. But there is a kinder way to think about it: the sniffle and the fatigue are not the enemy - they are your immune system doing precisely what it evolved to do.
The wisest response is also the oldest one: rest, fluids, warmth, and patience. Cancel what can be cancelled, sleep more than feels reasonable, and let the body get on with the work of mending itself.
None of this is a substitute for good sense. If symptoms are severe, linger, or worry you, see a doctor - honoring the common cold means listening to your body, not ignoring it.
Originally published in View AZ Highlife Magazine, Dec 2007 / Jan 2008.