Everyone knows that health is wealth, but it is also said that “Health is not valued till sickness comes”. Well, this past Sunday morning, for the first time in a long time, I awoke to the beginning symptoms of a cold. A typical cold follows a fairly predictable pattern over 7-10 days. It starts with scratchy or sore throat, sneezing, and fatigue. Then symptoms intensify – nasal congestion becomes heavy, runny nose with clear or whitish discharge, sneezing, mild headache, possible low-grade fever, body aches, and fatigue. This is typically the worst phase. By day 5, nasal discharge may thicken and congestion often shifts or starts to improve. Cough may develop or worsen as post-nasal drip begins. Finally, by days 8-10, most symptoms fade, though a lingering cough can persist for 2-3 weeks after other symptoms clear. That can all take a longer course if its really more of a flu than a cold, but that’s always hard to tell.
Generally speaking, healthier people tend to recover from colds faster and experience milder symptoms. They have stronger immune functions and better overall health means a more robust immune response that can identify and fight the virus more efficiently. Your immune system is better resourced and responds more effectively with good nutrition, adequate sleep habits, regular exercise, and lower stress levels. Your body just has more resources and capacity to mount an effective defense without becoming depleted. People with good metabolic health typically have lower baseline inflammation, which means the immune response is more targeted and efficient rather than creating excessive collateral damage. Healthier individuals are also less likely to develop secondary infections (like sinus infections or bronchitis) that can extend illness duration. Genetic factors affect immune response as well and age still plays a role (children and elderly typically take longer regardless of health status). People with obesity, diabetes, poor cardiovascular health, chronic stress, poor sleep, or nutritional deficiencies typically experience longer duration, worse symptoms, and higher complication rates. My AI pal, Claude (Anthropic) tells me that my 60-pound weight loss and improved fitness likely means I’ll handle common illnesses better than I would have at my starting weight because better metabolic health translates to better immune function.
That turns out to be the case. It’s Wednesday morning, which is day 3 since I first noticed mild cold symptoms. I went through the full cycle of symptoms described above, and I did medicate with Nyquil at night, but all the symptoms were very mild and resolved quickly with the attendant minimization of follow-on symptoms. I took NyQuil last night, but it seemed almost optional. I had a normal night’s sleep and this morning I feel that besides a light occasional cough to clear my throat of some vestigial mucous, I am almost symptom-free. I doubt I will be taking NyQuil tonight. I am a bit surprised by the speedy recovery and tend to attribute it to my improved overall health condition.
Health is foundational to virtually everything else in life, as we know. It enables everything else. Without health, pursuing your goals, enjoying relationships, advancing your career, or even simple daily pleasures becomes difficult or impossible. It’s the platform that supports all other ambitions. Good health means freedom – freedom from pain, from limitations, from dependence on others. It’s the difference between living fully versus just existing. Energy, mobility, mental clarity, and physical capability all stem from health. It’s not just about living longer, but living well for longer. Maintaining health means more years of active engagement with life, family, and experiences rather than decline and diminishment. Give me as many good years to do what I like to do and you can have the rest. Physical and mental health are deeply intertwined. Poor physical health often leads to depression, anxiety, and reduced cognitive function. Good health supports emotional resilience and mental sharpness, independence and dignity. Health allows you to maintain autonomy and self-sufficiency as you age, avoiding dependence on others for basic functions. And health decisions compound over time – both positively and negatively. Small consistent choices either build toward vitality or decline. The trajectory matters immensely.
I have written often about such things as sleep. I now sleep much better. I still use my CPAP machine out of long-term habit, but I imagine that one day I may even stop using that. The best thing about my CPAP machine is that it tells me me exactly how well I slept. Last night I slept 7.5 hours, which is at least an hour longer than I used to sleep. That means I fall asleep in the evening less often and that I simply have more energy during the day. I also awaken with far fewer aches and pains and when I do have them, I can relate them specifically to exercising I have done, which somehow seems better since I know the pain/gain relationship will mean less discomfort in the future. By going to Stretch-U twice a week for going on three years, I really have resolved almost all my myofacial and joint discomfort. My hamstrings and IT bands are still always tight and in need of loosening, but I suspect that may always be the case given my larger than normal size. I rarely get night leg cramps any more, which makes for a much more peaceful night’s sleep.
So what are the things I like to do the most these days? I like to ride my motorcycle, which I now do regularly. I am going on my weekly ride today, which involves two hours out to some lunch spot in the far-flung corners of the county and two hours back. That does wonders for my physical and mental health each week. I like to work in the garden on a daily basis and am doing just that as the spring starts to bloom on the hilltop. I am on my knees in the dirt and hefting this or that almost every day, keeping the property looking its best. That too does wonders for my mental and physical well-being. And, my newfound enjoyment is walking with Kim and Buddy. I do that almost every day…sometimes twice a day. In addition to just enjoying the weather and the beautiful nature that is all around us on this hilltop, it’s a great way to be together more, not just with Kim and Buddy, but also our neighbors, who we regularly meet for walks. I would suggest that walking is by far the major activity for most people of our age and we have the sort of neighborhood that allows for the perfect length of walks in several directions and with just the right amount of hill climbs to keep things intriguing and challenging without making it too difficult to bear.
Maybe I just got a mild strain of cold, or maybe I just got lucky, but I think not. I’m pretty sure that my weight loss and exercise regime is serving me well and simply making me healthier and more resilient to things like colds. I have always had a strong immune system and I’ve known for some time that my genetic good fortune has positioned me well to resist the big diseases. My challenge has always been weight and that seems finally to have been wrestled to the mat. I haven’t pinned it yet, but I think I have it in a choke hold and it may be ready to tap out. I took my blood pressure reading this morning and texted my doctor that it was 113/57 with my pulse at 55. I asked her if I should drop the last of my BP meds (Ramapril) and see where that might take me. I think I need to be especially careful now when I cross the road. This good health fortune is usually a sign that you may suddenly get hit by a truck.