Ten minutes to write. Less time to read.

I woke in the middle of the night instinctively knowing the salmon I had for supper didn’t like me as well as I had liked it.  So I dragged myself to the bathroom to wait for the inevitable.  I won’t detail it here; suffice to say, I was relieved of the salmon by 2 AM.

The rest of the night was a loss in terms of sleep, which is saying a lot because – as Earl notes – I can pretty much sleep standing up, in cars, on the floor, you name it.

When morning came, I felt achy, rumbly, and sore. My throat was scratchy too.  So I scrapped my day’s plans to baby myself.  Went back to bed. Got up and showered and went back to bed again. Soon 3 PM made its appearance.

In other times I would have soldiered through these low-grade feelings, but not anymore.  I have learned that when my body exhibits these symptoms, for whatever reason, it wants a time-out.  I call it a “Mental Health Day.”

I’m not always aware of why my body needs this; but I do believe that there is some psychological reason that needs to be honored.  I’ve also learned that if I check out of the fast lane for 24 to 36 hours, I’m rejuvenated and ready to go again.