Exams, deadlines and colds Here's something from Robert Sapolsky's very readable book on stress and stress-related disorders, Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers.
To quote:
Everybody knows that being stressed increases your chances of getting a cold. Just think back to being run down, frazzled, and sleep-deprived during final exams, and, sure enough, there's that cough and runny nose. Examine the records at university health services and you'll see the same thing--students succumbing to colds left and right around exam period. Many of us continue to see the same pattern decades later--burn the candle at both ends for a few days and, suddenly, there's that scratchy throat.
End of quote.
Now life is such that sometimes we have to go into overdrive and that's okay as long as we do it consciously. When I have to push, I work to balance it somewhat by eating simple but nutritious food , taking occasional short naps (10 to 20 min) and taking some herbal tinctures for support..
Then as soon as the push is over, I schedule some downtime to rest more and eat well.
In addition, if I notice some early signs of a cold, I increase my herbal support and tailor it to the signs and symptoms. So for example, if I feel more sensitive to cool or cold temperatures, am dull and have upper body and neck aches I combine the Chinese formulas of Ren Shen Bai Du with Gan Mao Ling and add another tincture made of echinacea augustifolia and purpurea.
On the other hand, if my throat is sore and I feel like a fever is coming, I use Yin Qiao Modified and Gan Mao Ling with the two echinaceas.
The secret is to notice the earliest possible signs and take the remedies then.
We have these herbal formulas among our more that 300 other formulas at the clinic. | 
