It's that time of the year again. You know, the one where you can hear your coworkers sneezing from across the office. The one where the classroom size dwindles throughout the week, and the students who came brought a pack of tissues with them. The one where you have to double check to be sure you remembered to pack cough drops before you left the house. Yes, that's the one.

It seems like everyone dreads this time of year- well, everyone except doctors, maybe. With the weather slowly but surely fading from summer to winter, the shift from allergies to colds happens pretty quickly. And even though I've experienced this for the past 20 years, I'm never fully prepared for that first sneeze- that first ache in my throat. Even as I write this article, my desk stocked with various nasal strips and Vicks products, I'm dreading finally accepting that I've fallen into the inevitable sickness hole.

Thankfully, because most everyone ends up with at least the sniffles this time of year, you don't have to feel alone. If the empty tissue aisles are any hint, then it can be assumed that there are a ton of others who are suffering right alongside you- me included!

Even if you have to avoid friends for a while (it's not cool to get others sick!) you can rest assured that somewhere out there, someone feels your pain. So here are a few thoughts that always seem to cross my mind when I come down with a cold- but don't worry, I've thrown in some puppy pictures to help cheer you up!

Even though a week of being sick can often feel like a year, there is good news: it won't last forever (hopefully!) Even though some of those last symptoms (cough cough) last a little longer than the others, it doesn't take too long to start feeling like yourself again. Of course, this happens a lot more quickly if you take good care of yourself throughout the entire process!

So, if you're like me and you're facing the same sick season, be sure to find some time for the well-needed rest. Whether that means going to bed early or sneaking in naps throughout the day, sleep is one of the most important things when it comes to healing! Make sure to drink plenty of water as well, and turn to nice, warm soups over less-healthy meals. (My soup recommendation is definitely chicken noodle!) Plus, it's never too early to start grabbing those cold relief medicines- there's nothing worse than shopping for cold medicine when you're already sick!

And most importantly, remember to stay positive! Whether you take the time to look at some adorable puppy pictures online (seriously, it works!) or simply take the time to remember that you're not going through this cold process alone, it's always important to keep a positive attitude. As they say, laughter is the best medicine, so take time for the fun stuff, too!