threefivenine

I keep a pretty well stocked medicine cabinet, including a large variety of vitamins. The average person doesn’t need to be that prepared but it’s important to keep a basic, well organized medicine cabinet/drawer/area etc. I’ve put together a list of a few steps which can easily change your day, if not your life.

1. Prescription Medications: Whenever you are prescribed a medication you should ask your doctor about side effects and interactions. Instead of just ignoring him/her if they don’t mention something you currently take or experience, write down the common ones. You never know when this can come in handy. Additionally you can use http://www.drugs.com/drug_interactions.html to check for potential interactions.
2. Prescription Medications (Step 2): Separate all of your or your family member’s daily prescription medications. Get a small notepad or a piece of paper you can tape into the cabinet and write down the name of the medication, the normal dosage and its interactions. This way not only will it remind you to follow the directions and make refills easier, but it can be important to have basic information on hand during an emergency.
3. OTC Pain Relievers : Basic otc medications are highly under-rated. The most useful are pain relievers (analgesic). Pain can quickly ruin your day or week. Pain is a symptom but it’s reduction can often hasten recovery. Pain relievers are cheap, easy to find and often serve dual purposes. Keep a small amount of a variety of pain killers. Many people are allergic to at least one, they serve different purposes and some are not appropriate for those with a variety of conditions. This will also help you avoid interactions. Aleve, Advil, Tylenol and Excedrine are not the same medication. They are brand names for other individual medications or combination of medications. You should at least have ibuprofen (Advil), acetaminophen (Tylenol), and ideally one more such as Advil (acetylsalicylic acid) or Excedrin (combination of acetaminophen, asprin and caffeine).
4. Never underestimate the power of cold or heat: Heating pads, ice packs and icy hot pads/ointment may seem unnecessary but you’ll disagree when you wake up unable to move or come back from a run with a swollen ankle. You can always use frozen vegetables etc if you don’t have an ice pack. Just remember ice is for inflammation (i.e. swelling or headaches) and heat is for sore muscles.
5. Benadryl: Most people have a vague idea of what they’re allergic to but few know the full list. I recently had my blood tested and I’m allergic to 5 different types of grass. But serious allergic reactions can happen anytime and they come on suddenly. A dose of benadryl can turn a dangerous, or just really annoying, moment into something tolerable.
6. Multi-vitamins: While their daily effectiveness is debatable, they will not hurt during an especially rough week. If you’re travelling, under excess stress, sick or not sleeping well your body depletes its resources quicker than usual. The boost from a vitamin may help you get through the week, keep you from getting sick, and give you some extra energy.

Here are some additional things I think it’s nice to have on hand but are not absolutely necessary.

• Coffee or tea (caffeine has tons of medicinal benefits which I will discuss in another post)
• Candy (for those with low blood sugar or as a pick me up)
• Ginger ale and saltine crackers (for upset stomachs)
• B-vitamins (for energy)
• Sleepy-time tea, chamomile tea, etc (to help you relax and get to sleep)

Inspired by my new found love of yoga, and in the name of blog research I’ve decided to try out some new gyms, classes and workouts. Last week Kristin (coworker from friends with benefits part 1) and I went to yoga in bryant park, followed by kickboxing at her studio only gym in midtown.

Having not practiced for a week I was so relieved and I swear I heard my body sigh as we went into upward facing dog. Oh how I missed it! But there’s something magical about taking a yoga class with 500 people in midtown NYC. We were blessed with a beautiful day and once again this week I gazed in awe at the contrast between clear skies and not only the skycrapers but the reflection of their counterparts across the park. Looking at the world upside down while in a handstand is one thing but looking at an upside down reflection of the NY public library with the clouds rolling in behind it is another.

Onto kickboxing. We showed up right on time to the tiniest studio I’ve ever seen. 8 of us barely fit in this space outfitted with mirrors to make it seem slightly more spacious. Visions of the bright, beautiful NYSC studio where I took cardio kickbox almost every Sunday for years flashed through my mind. The class began with 100 situps and 50 push ups. I haven’t done a situp in years but I guess Kristin is a regular because she powered through them at twice my speed. Onto fighting series, which brought me back to cardio kickbox until the instructor said “this isn’t cardio kickbox.” Well damn I wish it was!

We had a blast but it made me realize how hard it is to find a workout routine which works for you. I missed my amazing ex-marine kickboxing instructor who’s class I left dripping with sweat and coming back for more. Kristin missed her kickboxing gym in Miami where she could practically hit bags all day and got her into amazing shape. Lesson learned: if you find a routine that challenges and works for you hold on to it!! If you haven’t then keep looking! It’s out there! If you’re not getting real “benefits” then it’s not an ideal partnership.

Swarms of people surrounded the gym entrance as I went to leave yesterday evening. There was a sudden sun shower, or really a downpour. Like everyone else I was unprepared and waited inside with the hope that this would soon pass. The moment felt very characteristic of my day.

By the end of the workday I was unexpectantly exhausted. My high hopes for an intense evening workout had faded and I highly considered skipping it altogether. I strongly believe half the work is finding time and getting yourself to the gym! So I went and thought I’d be fine once I warmed up. Turns out I wasn’t and I did a very light/disappointing cardio workout.

On the way home the sky had cleared and the sunset hit the clouds so their edges shone like silver. I started to think about silver lining and how so much in life turns out differently than expected.

I’ve had a long year of uncertainty from waiting for my MCAT score to figure out where I’d end up this year. Ambiguity can sometimes feel stressful but I happen to love it’s potential. When something is not set you can dream of any possibility. Before I got my score it could have been a 45 and before I got into school I could end up at Harvard. Although my score was not a 45 and I will not be moving to Boston, I still feel that dreams are tremendously important.

They help us think of possibilities and explore what we want from life, situations and opportunities. Sometimes our dreams don’t workout how we plan or are just completely unrealistic but you can still seek out aspects of it. I wanted the resources of a school like Harvard so I choose an amazing research based school in NY. I didn’t get a 45 but I aimed for it!

So I didn’t have the workout of my life last night but there’s always tomorrow. Sometimes the silver lining is what you have to focus on in the moment but I’m still going to aim for the platinum center and see what I get.

Another great pearl from my yoga instructor: “Your mood can dictate everything you see around you. When you’re in a good mood everything seems great, but when you’re in a bad mood everything can seem miserable.” Lately I’ve been in insanely good moods. Moods so good that colors come alive ( I found the colors within a big mac ad beautiful?!?), the most obscure experiences make me laugh and I learn something new from almost everyone I encounter.

Unfortunately this weekend I ended up in a bad mood funk. Instead of getting frustrated I reminded myself that “unhappiness is just practice for happiness.” I looked for ways to snap out of it.

Attempt 1: go for a nice run in the beautiful park right near my house. I just forgot it has zero shade and it was noon on a 90 degree day. I felt like I was baking and went home after 1 mile. Once home I felt even more frustrated as I was stopping right after my warm-up. What a tease. I delved a bit deeper into the funk….

The next morning was no different. Defunk Attempt 2: Put off my errands and do some relaxing reading in the other park steps from my door. The playing children I normally think are adorable and joyful made me want to scream SHUT UP. I almost gave a little girl in a floral print jumper a dirty look. It was time to go home….

Attempt 3: I played some tennis with my hubby. I figured it’s exercise and quality time with my favorite person. This had to work! Nope, our game was off and our motivation seemed to wane minutes into the game. I forfeited, came home, took a shower, and went to bed.

Attempt 4: Monday morning I was still off. I couldn’t stand the people on the bus, I wanted my extra Monday morning coffee asap and I could barely focus on my work. Yet I spent the entire day trying to be cheerful…fake it until you make it. And although all I wanted to do after work was go home and crawl into bed I went to the gym.

45 minutes of intense cardio flipped the switch. Colors seemed brighter and the bus line 100 people deep made me chuckle while others sighed at the sight. Straight from the bus I met my husband on the tennis court and even found my swing! Then I suggested my husband and I make dinner together (I never cook). Finally, I happily took Pico on his evening walk.

Frustrating? Yes! Tons of good practice in finding happiness? Definitely!

Homeostasis:  the processes that work together in a system to maintain stability and cohesiveness.

The good news is your body is designed to maintain a stable state. It comes equipped with set points that constantly monitor to ensure it is kept in check. So if the body does such a good job of maintaining homeostasis why do we have to even think about it? Well the bad news is homeostasis is extremely sensitive and our bodies rely completely upon it to function. Meaning the second something is out of whack we feel it. The same goes for the balance in our mind, body and spirit. When one component is struggling it threatens the continuity of our personal system. Meaning your upcoming deadline which is causing you to mentally feel stress, may also be stressing your kidney. It’s the reason why a night of drinking can lead to feelings of depression the next day.

Since it’s the foundation of our well being it should be the foundation of our journey towards healthy enlightenment. So what can we do? It’s important to recognize and keep homeostasis in mind as we make daily choices, with the goal of preserving and working towards a “fairly” stable foundation. How do we know what this foundation would look like? As individuals we all have a different set point that keeps us healthy, sane and balanced. The best way to determine your personal set point is through a bit of trial and error. Start with some basic rules, think about what’s worked best in the past, then try out something new and see how you feel.

Start with these recommendations then feel free to modify as you learn what works best for you.

Biological foundation:

1. Get 8 hours or QUALITY sleep a night! This is the MOST important way to maintain chemical balance. Your body does the majority of its regulation while you sleep and cannot establish its critical set points if you are not getting enough.
2. Drink plenty of water
3. Eat a balanced diet (fruits, vegetables, and protein required!)
4. Exercise regularly (more on this later)

Mind(ful) foundation:

1. Leave time for yourself….we all need “me” time
2. Create a reasonable schedule at work and in your personal life

Soul (ful) foundation:

1. Participate in something that you find meditative
2. Do something for someone else

This list may seem frustrating, intimidating, or vague at first but the point is to try your best and see what works for you. Once you’ve established what your set point is, keep it in mind during the day. Ask yourself: will this take me closer to or farther from it? Is this really working for me or do I need to reshift my foundation? Even the strongest foundations get dusty and could use polishing once and a while!

Over the years I’ve dreaded the moment when friends say: “wanna go to the gym together?,” “oh I can come with you, are you going to the gym later?” or worse “oh I’m on my way there too, see you soon!” It’s not personal but my workout time is my only escape!

I spend a ton of time with people! I’m blessed with amazing friends, family living nearby, coworkers I consider real friends and regularly see outside of work, and my husband’s friends/ex-coworkers/students/old roomates. When I’m not with those people I’m on crowded subway blocks/trains/elevators or I run into someone I know from my childhood/high school/college/past jobs/church/etc because I’ve never left NY! Finally, I come home to my amazing husband and dog, oh yea and my in-laws! Needless to say, I have a hard time finding alone time. The gym has been my hour a day for years where I get away from everyone and do something just for myself, by myself. I don’t have to talk to anyone, listen to anyone or think about anyone.

As much as I acknowledge the importance of alone time I have, as of late, come to realize the joy “friends with benefits” can be. No I don’t mean the type Natalie Portman recently played with Ashton Kutcher. A few years ago I met a girl named Molly in Organic Chemistry class, commiseration allows for quick bonds. Our friendship seemed to be going great until she spoke those few words I dread and I thought “oh no a deal breaker.” Luckily though, when she asked about classes I take I suggested she come to cardio kickbox with me on Sunday. From there our weekend routine turned into Zumba on Saturdays and kickboxing, followed by total body, on Sunday. Not only was the weekend accountability amazing but we’d spend 30min post working “stretching” but mainly catching up. These workouts strengthened not only our bodies but our relationship. She’s now one of my best friends.

Furthermore, over a year ago my amazing friend Jen said “I love my yoga studio. You should come with me some time.” As much as I love Jen, I cringed a bit inside. These were in my pre-Molly days. I didn’t want to go work out with someone and ugh yoga! Until a few months ago I had always had this awkward, illusive relationship with yoga. Every six months or so I had the idea of taking a class, showed up, felt lost for an hour, fell out of a few poses I probably wasn’t holding correctly, and sighed in relief when we laid down signaling the end of class. Needless to say I hadn’t quite gotten the point of this yoga thing. Luckily, Jen asked me again recently, post-Molly. Between my resolve to try new things before school started and my tight hips from running I took her up on her second offer. Also she had a free week pass! Long story short, the first vinyasa class changed my life and by the end of the week yoga was illusive no more. I quickly took advantage of their two month new member deal and I’m now a devotee!

Finally, last night I took yoga in Bryant Park with my new coworker/replacement. Not only is Kristin inspiring to workout with, she’s a professional dancer in her spare time, but we spent the workday anticipating our evening practice. As we laid in savasana (sanskrit for corpse pose, or what I like to call: finally i get to lay down) I gazed up at the clouds and the skyscrapers which surround bryant park and dedicated my practice tonight to these friends with benefits. Women who have helped me find new passions and have enriched those I’ve already found. Namaste.

I still dream of growing up and becoming a professional ballerina. I stare at them in awe at the New York City Ballet, when I see photographs or during the chance encounter on the street or subway. I’m enthralled by the fairy tale aspect and also the dedication, and borderline masochism, associated with these lithe bodies and tight buns (yes I meant hair and derrière)!

Although my tutu years have come and gone, I did continue to dance through high school. I still love to get up and bust a move the benefits of this background go much father. Dancers, as well as athletes, have a deep understanding of their body: its spatial relationships and its set points. This knowledge allows me to know my limits, to monitor my levels of pain and discomfort and to ensure I am constantly challenging myself. Having a sense of self in the physical state ensures that you acknowledge each aspect of your body while you use it. When learning something new I can envision and feel the exact piece of muscle. I can tell if I am actually challenging my muscles or if instead I’m straining the ones nearby. This ensures that I take full advantage of each workout. As a daily exerciser I automatically acknowledge how I’m feeling and if something is “wrong.” Maybe my calf is more sore than usual, my hip feels tight or my posture is off.

Acknowledging your body is the first step to taking care of yourself. A great way to get to know your body is through practice. Get moving or stretching and do it with purpose. Notice how far you can stretch, which muscles are sore when you run, is your body comfortable or do you need some sleep, water, rest etc?

Another great way is to stop and still yourself. We often don’t notice our discomfort until we break our routine. If you’ve ever taken a yoga class or meditated you know this. Get in touch with yourself and address it after you’ve allowed the world around you to slow down.