I've been fighting a cold (or perhaps a flu since there are occasional spikes of fever) since Monday afternoon.  Today is the first day that I went without taking decongestant during the day--I still plan on taking some before I go to sleep.  I was able to keep my energy up during the days, as well as the evening open house on Wednesday, only by sleeping through most of the evening on both Tuesday and Thursday.  Finally, I am at a point where I can feel that the cold is nearing its end.

It's at this point in an illness where I usually get a sensation that I call a "cold euphoria."  Basically, despite the fact that I do not feel well, I feel great at the same time.  It usually is the strongest when I am not taking any kind of medication, so I know that medical side-effects are not the cause; however, I will not rule out the idea that it is a symptom of exhaustion.

I have never quite been able to explain the sensations I experience in a cold euphoria.  I feel tired, but the good kind of tired, like after having spent the day applying physical labor to a just cause.  My mind feels unburdened in that hazy way it feels when coming out of a pleasant day dream.  My body, though tired, notes changes in the air, both in temperature and tactile sensitivity.  Basically, I feel like I have come through some sort of trial in triumph and my mind and body are looking forward to a well-deserved rest.

This euphoria can last a few hours or a few days.  I never clearly remember when it starts or when it ends; I only notice it when I am in it.  When in one, I want little more than to wear comfortable clothes and just lay back either sleeping, reading, or playing a low-stress video game.

When I explain this to most people, I get the impression that they have not experienced anything similar.  I figure that they probably chalk it up to another one of my eccentricities.  Still, I wish more people could experience this feeling (without the use of drugs, I should add).