They are not the same thing, even though people love to lump them together. A cold usually tiptoes in. You feel a little off, maybe sniffly, maybe scratchy. Life continues. The flu kicks the door down. Sudden fever, body aches that feel like you got hit by a truck, exhaustion that does not care about your plans. Reminder: How aggressively you support the body depends on what you are dealing with. The immune response, inflammatory load, and recovery window are very different. If symptoms hit fast and hard, that is your cue to slow down, support detox pathways, hydrate deeply, and stop trying to “push through.” Your body gives clues. This chart helps you listen instead of guessing. Save this for later, because sick-brain never remembers logic.

Oh my gosh you guys… I just went down the most mind bending rabbit hole tonight about blood types and human history and I am not even okay right now 🤯🧬 It started as a simple question and somehow turned into this wild, elegant, layered story that made me look at genetics, ancient people, and how we got here in a totally different way. One of those conversations where you keep saying “wait… WHAT” and then five minutes later you’re even more confused in the best possible way. I am not spoiling it. But just know… the answer was not what I expected and it connects things most people never think to connect. If I randomly start talking about blood types this week, mind your business 😏

Your body doesn’t change through pressure. It changes through safety. Most people try to force habits, routines, or motivation before their nervous system feels regulated. That’s why change feels exhausting or short-lived. When the body senses threat (even subtle stress), it prioritizes survival, not growth. Safety is what allows flexibility. Safety is what allows learning. Safety is what allows consistency. When your body feels supported, change stops feeling like a fight. Day 2 Tool: Place one hand on your chest and take 3 slow breaths, making your exhale slightly longer than your inhale. This simple action activates the vagus nerve and tells your nervous system: I’m safe right now. You don’t need to do more today. You need to feel safer doing what you’re already doing.

Did you know perfection keeps people stuck? “Good enough” keeps people moving. And no, this isn’t the kind of “good enough” that means doing the bare minimum just to say you showed up. It’s the kind of good enough that’s intentional, complete, and honest without being punishing. When your nervous system senses impossible standards, it interprets them as threat. That’s when procrastination, shutdown, or self-criticism show up. Not because you’re lazy, but because your system is trying to protect you. Progress happens when the body feels like success is possible, not perfect. Day 5 Tool: Before starting anything today, decide what “good enough” looks like and stop there. Done is regulating. Perfect is exhausting.

For some people, rest doesn’t feel restorative and that’s not a mindset issue. It can be genetic. Certain genetic patterns affect how quickly your nervous system clears stress chemicals like adrenaline, norepinephrine, and cortisol. If you break these down more slowly, your body can stay “on” even when you stop moving. This is why: Sitting still can feel uncomfortable Rest can turn into zoning out or scrolling Sleep doesn’t always feel refreshing You feel wired but tired Your body isn’t resisting rest,it’s still clearing the signal. Genes involved in stress breakdown, neurotransmitter clearance, and circadian rhythm all influence how easily you downshift after stress. When these pathways are slower, intentional recovery matters more than passive rest. Day 7 Tool (genetics-friendly rest): Choose rest that gives your nervous system a clear signal of safety, not just inactivity: 🌿 Gentle movement (slow walk, stretching) 🫁 Slow breathing with longer exhales 😎Natural light exposure earlier in the day Think regulation, not collapse. If rest has never felt easy for you, that’s not a flaw/ It's information and it means your body needs supportive rest, not forced stillness 🤍