Winter always means more germs are around, and at the start of July I woke one Sunday morning with my body aching, a fever, no appetite, and pain in every part of me. I had no energy to get out of bed — I had come down with the flu, the real flu. It wasn’t just a sniffle or a few days of feeling off, but the kind that completely knocks you flat. I actually couldn’t do anything; even getting out of bed exhausted me. I’m usually someone who likes to keep busy and work through my daily to-do list, but this time my body just said no, and I had no choice but to stop.

On the first Monday I decided to try and push on, since I was working from home. I thought I could do it, but I couldn’t. The more I tried, the worse I felt. By 11 a.m. I had to admit that what I needed most was time and rest.

For me, one of the hardest things was accepting that healing doesn’t happen on my preferred schedule. I kept waiting for a morning when I’d wake up and feel “back to normal,” but it didn’t come. Each day was a tiny step forward, although some days felt like I slipped back. What I realised is that recovery isn’t about speed — it’s about allowing my body to do what it knows how to do if I give it the chance.

Learning to Relax, Properly

Rest for me wasn’t just about sleep (although I napped more in those weeks than I have in years). It was also about learning to properly relax — something I’m not always very good at! I needed to stop half-working from the couch or scrolling endlessly on my phone. I needed to actually switch off. I read a few pages of a book, listened to gentle music, and surprised myself by just lying still and breathing. Those moments of calm helped me feel I was supporting my body rather than doing battle with it.

Finding My Way Back with Gentle Steps

When the fever passed and I felt a bit more myself, I was desperate to get going again. However, I knew I couldn’t just jump straight back into normal life. So I started small — short walks, a slow stretch, standing outside in the sunshine. It felt good to wake my body up gently, and it reminded me that exercise isn’t only about fitness — it’s also about healing, circulation, and mood. Bit by bit, those short walks turned into longer ones, and I could feel my strength returning.

What I’ve Taken from It

Being forced to stop has made me think a lot about how I treat my health. I don’t want to wait until I’m sick to take care of myself. Rest, good food, movement, and kindness to myself aren’t optional extras — they are the things that keep me well.

Recovering from the flu has been a reminder that bouncing back doesn’t happen overnight. It’s slow, it’s uneven, and it takes patience. Each small sign of progress — like the first proper night’s sleep, the first time I walked without feeling exhausted, the first morning I woke up with energy — felt like a little celebration.

With time, kindness, and space to heal, we always find our way back — not just to where we were, but to a stronger version of ourselves.