“A good laugh and a long sleep are the best cures in the doctor's book.”

- Irish Proverb

I’m lying in bed all stuffed up with a head cold as I’m writing this month’s post. Huddled under my toasty Chicago Bears blanket amid boxes of tissues, bottles of vitamins, bowls of soup, and (what seems to be) barrels of Robitussin DM, there are 5 Hay House books that helped me survive the misery of more than a week with the latest flu bug and pointed me back to the road of recovery. I hope they will do the same for you.

5 Books The Flu Bug Doesn’t Want You to Read!

Louise Hay’s You Can Heal Your Life:

This classic book is a must for your bedside in sickness and in health. It allows you to look up your symptoms and learn some of the mental causes behind them. Did you know that colds and upper respiratory problems could mean that too much is going on in your life? Or that a persistent cough may mean you need to “speak up” or “bark back” at a world that is sometimes unfair or unkind? Plus, Louise offers many healing affirmations to get you back into your positive rhythm:

I allow my mind to relax and be at peace.

I am noticed and appreciated in the most positive ways.

I am loved.

Alan Cohen’s A Daily Dose of Sanity:

You’re lying in bed thinking, “I can’t afford to be sick now. I have too much to do.” And as the weeds keep growing, the deadlines keep piling up and your to-do list becomes even more unmanageable than it was before, you start questioning your sanity. Stop! If there were a way to put Alan’s wisdom in a bottle, everyone on this planet would take a daily dose for their own health and sanity. He is a brilliant storyteller and one page from this heart-warming book will soothe any and all of your needs.

Here’s a sample:

Sniffles or a cold sore are life’s way of telling you that you have just gotten off balance, and it is time to take a step back to reclaim your equilibrium. You do not have to quit what you are doing forever; just take whatever time you need to return to a poised state. From that position, you will feel better and accomplish far more than you would have if you just kept pushing yourself.

Thank your body for its signals. It is the best message service you could have.

Susan Smith Jones’ Recipes for Health Bliss:

One of the best ways to build your immune system is to start eating better. In this book, Susan offers a delicious array of recipes using Naturefoods to help heal and rejuvenate your body.

Did you know . . .

• Strawberries are a good source of vitamin A, C, folic acid, beta-carotene and potassium plus they’re anticancer, antiviral and antibacterial?
• Apples are a super health food that assists in detoxifying the body?
• Ginger tea relieves chills and the congestion of a cold?
• Cinnamon is a natural bacteria fighter?
• Grapefruit is great for allergies and infections in the mouth and throat?
• Spinach regulates blood pressure and boosts your immune system?

And there are plenty more tips and great recipes to choose from. All you need is to find someone who will make them for you!

Cheryl Richardson’s The Art of Extreme Self-Care:

In any situation—whether recouping from a bad cold or trying to get through a trying time, Cheryl reminds us of the importance of our extreme self-care. And since you probably wouldn’t be lying in bed with this cold if you took better care of yourself, this is the book for you! As Cheryl says, “No one is coming to save you. The quality of your life lies in your own hands.”

P.S. You may want to also try Cheryl’s comprehensive and quite empowering online course on the same subject. Click here for more details.

Loretta LaRoche’s Squeeze the Day:

When you’ve been sick in bed for more than a few days, you can certainly use a laugh.  And reading and rereading Loretta’s hilarious anecdotes in this lighthearted book will make you smile when you need it most.

• Isn’t it time that every physician asked us, as part of a regular physical exam, if we’re having any fun? What’s the point of having low cholesterol, low blood pressure, and good blood sugar if you’re a miserable wretch?
• Why do normal people take workshops on how to deal with difficult people? Why aren’t the difficult people taking workshops on how to deal with the rest of us?
• Talk to yourself. It can be very insightful, and it’s often amusing. And the payoff is: If you ask yourself a question, you’ll always get the answer you’re looking for.
• If you can laugh every day, especially at yourself, you’ve found the best joke in the world.

Let’s all send our love and get well wishes to anyone who is “under the weather” this month. And the next time you feel the sniffles coming on, grab one of these books and get better—sooner!