Myth: Vegans don’t get sick.

Ever since I went vegan, I catch fewer colds. It may be totally coincidental or just due to other changes in my life that took place around the time I decided to eat a vegan diet, but it’s still interesting to note. This winter in particular I have been especially lucky, not catching anything: cold, flu or otherwise. In fact, I was pretty impressed with my level of fitness over this particularly long and unfriendly winter here in Ottawa.

Now it’s spring. I’ve caught a cold.

Unfortunately, vegans aren’t immune to catching airborne viruses (though how cool would it be if we were!). So, I’m trying to do all right things: drink lots of liquids, ensure I get my RDI of Vitamin C, resting, staying away from evil depressing thoughts, etc. But all my efforts seem to be in vain because this cold is truly getting the best of me. Colds mess with you physically, that is a no-brainer, but it’s also true that you are emotionally affected when you are sick. I tend to notice that I get more irritable, sad and hopeless when I’m sick. (Perhaps a wee bit dramatic, too.) I blame the virus. Perhaps I’ve watched too much Walking Dead, but it’s almost as if it the virus takes you over and you have no choice but to act and feel like Mr. (or Ms.) Crabbypants.

My goal today is to be patient and keep things in perspective. Compared to the rest of the population, as a vegan I’m among the healthy individuals, I can safely say, so I should celebrate the fact that I only get sick on rare occasions, unlike many others.

But it’s soooo hard. :(