PHYSICAL DISTANCE NOT SOCIAL SHUTDOWN

I know its been a really long since my last blog post but…… life happens!

So, I go out running this morning, as I do every Thursday morning, and it just feels really wrong.  And no, I don’t mean my aches and pains that randomly move about my body during the run or the fact that I’m getting slower and slower as I get older. 

Running for me is something I started doing in elementary school as part of a “kilometre club”.  It was a way for us kids to get out our emotions, frustrations, and excess energy to help us not be disruptive during class.  We got to run down to a part of the sea wall and connect with the ocean daily (which is something I still NEED to do daily).  Running is where I let my mind wonder, both inwardly and externally.  I’m one of the few out there who is not plugged in while I run, rather I like to hear the birds, the ocean, and anyone around me who cares to talk.  Running is my moving meditation and my time to solve many of my problems or figure out a complex case for one of my patients. Running is something I mostly do alone and like it that way.

Back to today…… so yes it is a crazy time with the COVID 19 and there are too many unknowns for any of us to feel settled or to feel confident that we know what our immediate future might hold.  There are now signs everywhere about keeping apart 2 metres (or ”almost 6 feet” as it says on the sign.  How long has Canada been metric, now? At least since I was in grade 2 and now I’m in grade 46. Let’s keep it consistent.)

I keep running off on '“red herrings'“… yes it has been too long since I blogged…

What I noticed TODAY was how people are misinterpreting this physical distancing.  What it means is:  PHYSICALLY STAY 2 METRES APART.  NOT stop being friendly.  I’m running by people, keeping my “almost 6 feet” and people are looking away, turning their heads, avoiding eye contact.  At first I thought maybe I had a booger hanging out of my nose or my hair was doing a “medusa”.  But I checked: the nose was clear and I was wearing a toque so my morning hair could not frighten anyone. 

Come on people; we don’t need to be scared of any social contact with each other. We need to communicate, now more than ever. This is a stressful time and we need to encourage each other that we will get through this together (however, still remaining 2 meters apart.)

The world is a better place when we smile at each other, whether we know each other or not.

I will keep smiling and saying hello to everyone I pass (a little more loudly to overcome the 2 metres) and I hope now you will too.

Side note: We may be physically distancing from each other, but that does not mean we are needing to physically distance from the garbage bins. Please know and remind others that you can still throw your garbage in the bin, and you don’t have to just drop it on the ground beside the bin.

THE SMOKE IS CLEARING

It’s looking better for the summer to end on a “lighter” note!

I don’t know about you but the continual smoke was starting to make me blue.  Now, I shouldn’t really be complaining.  I  didn’t lose anything to the fires.  I was not evacuated, and I started the summer in a very healthy state.  But still, between the phlegm, the bloody “boogers” in the morning, the burning eyes, and the headaches, I was really happy to see the rain on Saturday and happier still to see some blue sky today.

Rumour has it that the smoky air was equivalent to smoking 8 cigarettes per day and had a particulate score twice that of Beijing.  That does not sound to good to me considering my happiness relies on being able to play outside….

So, what to do now that we can start to breath deeply again.  Firstly, send all your good karma to those who need it and are not fortunate enough to have blue sky today and secondly, start taking some deep belly breaths.

What we want to do is break up and kick out that particulate matter.  So get out of that air conditioned air and do some belly breathing.  I mean long slow breaths that puff up your belly as big as it will go.

Now that you are feeling all calm lets incorporate other practices that will move “stuff” out of the lungs and blood.  
1.    Drink 2-3 litres of filtered water every day so we have a means to carry out the “junk”
2.    End your shower with one minute of cold water.  Remember to breath and rub the area that is in the cold water and concentrate on the lungs both front and back. (This is the same hydrotherapy I’ve been trying to get all my patients to do for years so now is a perfect time to start if your haven’t already.)
3.    Take some NAC (the supplement N-Acetylcystine). 500-1000mg 2-3 time/day to break up the phlegm.
4.    Take an infrared sauna.  Minimum 20 minutes/session to actually clear anything out.  (I like to stay about 45 minutes but I like the heat.)
5.    If you don’t’ like saunas then try an Epsom salt bath.  2-4 cups of Epsom salts per bath and you must soak a minimum of 20 minutes (maximum is when you get too pruny and the water is cold)

There are also herbs and homeopathics that could support the “detoxification” pathways and the lungs but I suggest you see your Naturopathic doctor to confirm which are appropriate for you specifically.

All the best and lets all be thankful for our clean air and do our part in keeping it clean.

DRINK STRATEGIES FOR THE HOLIDAYS

1. Stay hydrated. Dehydration is one of the main causes of hangovers. Coconut water is a great hydrator!

2. Alternate alcoholic beverages with water. A 2:1 water to alcoholic drink ratio is best!

3. If you are going to drink, stick to red wine (contains resveratrol, which is good for you!) or drinks you can sip slowly, like silver tequila.

4. Use club soda as a mixer rather than sweet fruit juices or pop. The sweeter the drink the more likely the hangover.

5. If you want to avoid the pounds or a hangover sneaking up on you, stay away from eggnog and Irish Cream concoctions.

6. Stay away from the Brown. Darker alcohols have substances that increase hangovers.

7. Stay away from cheap booze. It is more likely to cause hangovers due to toxins (called congeners) that are created during less expensive distillation processes. So if you are going to drink, drink the good stuff!

8. Eat before you drink. Don’t drink on an empty stomach.

9. Take vitamin C and or charcoal before bed to help eliminate the toxins.

10. Consider going on the wagon during the holidays. I know, that might sound a little crazy but I am a firm believer in shaking up the status quo. The value it can have on the immune system, sleep, weight, mood, and productivity can be immense.  (Ok, probably not going to happen but just think about it!)

Do's and Don'ts for Traveling

THINGS TO DO

WASH UP

Keeping clean hands is the best way to prevent infections and illnesses.  And keep your hands away from your face and mouth.  Most viruses are spread from hand to mouth

GET UP AND MOVE AROUND

Whether you are travelling by plain, train, or automobile try to get up and move around to keep the blood moving to avoid blood clots, to avoid getting stiff by changing position, and to change your activity.

ONE CUP AN HOUR

Try to drink one cup (8 ounces or 250 ml) for every hour you are travelling, especially by air.  The low humidity at high altitudes makes the air cabin very dry on both our airways (which makes you more susceptible for airborne viruses and bacteria) and is very constipating.  I know you want to use airplane toilets as little as possible but staying hydrated makes you enjoy the rest of your trip better.

PACK A NUTRITIONAL SNACK TO KEEP YOUR BLOOD SUGAR STEADY

Plan to take some fun healthy snacks with you.  Don't count on airport, plane, and gas station food.  Think of fruits, nuts and seeds,  or veggie sticks.  (Remember for air travel if the homous is already on the crackers it will make it through security but if it is separate, in its own container it won't)

MAKE SURE YOU GET SOME SLEEP

For car travel a minimum of 6 hours sleep the night before and during the trip is a BCAA recommendation.  As for air, the more tired you are the more susceptible you are to catching things.

PREPARE FOR DELAYS

Whether it's due to road conditions, accidents, or weather.  Always have your car packed with warm clothes and plenty or water.  And your carry on with a toothbrush, underwear, a clean t shirt and your supplements and medications.

THINGS NOT TO DO

DON’T DRINK ALCOHOL ON YOUR FLIGHT

Alcohol is dehydrating, interferes with sleep, and suppresses the immune system.  Since it's not free anymore what's the point anyways.

DON’T GO TO SLEEP THE MOMENT YOU ARRIVE

Have a shower on your arrival and go for a walk, this will help you sleep better and deal with the jet lag faster.

DON’T OVERLOAD YOUR SCHEDULE

Try to only schedule one activity/day.  Your body, mind and energy levels will thank you for it.   If you are visiting friends and relatives, invite them all to a gathering at once, whether at a home or in a café, pub, or park.  Once they have all been invited, it's up to them to make the effort so you are not taking all your time visiting them individually. 

DON’T FORGET TO WINTERIZE YOUR CAR

That includes tires (check the spare), chargers, flashlights, and a first aid kit.

Holiday Season Survival

TOP 5 things to stay healthy through the holiday season

1.  Stay hydrated—that means water NOT alcohol. Drink a water for every coffee or alcoholic beverage.
2. Get enough sleep—be sure to be getting 8 hours between your parties. Be sure to black out the street lights in your room and keep your electronics out of the bedroom
3. Eat vegetables – party food seems to lack the vegetable component so its up to you to eat plenty of vegetable at lunch and throw some of those leafy greens in your morning smoothie.
4. Don’t forget your vitamins- B vitamins (50-100mg/day), your vitamin D (200IU/day) and Vitamin C (minimum 2000mg/day)
   
5.  If you drank too much—ooops!—take a big glass of water with 2000mg of vitamin C before bed and perhaps a dose of homeopathic Nux Vomica (3 pellets of 30C or smaller). Repeat the Nux Vomica in the morning too.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND SEE YOU IN THE NEW YEAR FOR THAT DETOX!