Ironically, after writing my praise-laden post on massages, I came down with a minor cold. From what I could gather online (though admittedly there appears to be no authoritative explanation), it seems that deep-tissue massage can release toxins from deep in the muscle tissue, which, passing through your lymphatic system after a massage, can make you sick. This is a contested point, but it makes sense to me, and this is the second time I've come down with a cold after a massage. I suppose I'd prefer to experience the symptoms of the virus for a few days and then have it exit my system, rather than leaving it embedded in my muscle tissue.
For me, having a cold is a good excuse to slow down and listen to my body. I've been drinking a lot of fluids, eating chicken soup (the healing properties of which are not just an old wives' tale), and getting plenty of rest. I even baked pumpkin chocolate chip muffins and rented a movie, both very restful and comforting!
Based on how quickly this cold seems to be passing, I think this strategy of giving in to a cold and slowing down is a good one, especially since our lives are normally so fast-paced and activity-filled. It's even a pleasure to be sick if you use it as an opportunity to treat your body right.
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