Why the US is probably going to continue getting fatter and sicker. When a problem is so big, we'd rather make sick acceptable than chip away at the mountain.
The Happiness Advantage
A meeting with NY's top sleep apnea expert.
A meeting in New York with top sleep expert & sleep apnea treating Dr. Jordan Stern, proved both fascinating and frightening.
Learning that 1 in 3 people suffered from sleep apnea and essentially do not get enough oxygen during their resting hours was only half as startling as the the wide variety of wellness categories that sleep directly effects.
4 ways I know it's time to get back to GREEN FOOD
I know what I am supposed to do.
I know what I am supposed to eat.
I even eat correctly a % of the time.
AND THEN I DON'T.
This manic, "I am queen of the world, Cadbury cream eggs are no match for my boundless energy and svelte physique" kicks in like the delusional sabotaging propaganda it is. I stay up late working on projects OR DANCING ON TABLES at reputable fundraisers. I skip protein and veggies in leu of sugary delights. I start ordering decadent caramel lattes instead of my staple green tea. I am off the wagon. And I tell myself it's ok. There will be no repercussions this time.
1. And then I get sick. That soar throat kicks in, fatigue, and aches pop up. I'm tired and feel yucky. I want to skip the very things that usually make me feel good like exercise and early wakeups. I'm easily overwhelmed.
2. My mood & drive plummets. An overall low energy, and disinterest in most things prevails and I wonder how my brain can make such a convincing case that life is not worth living. I feel like screaming, "You're amino acid and vital micronutrient deficient brain, not dying- let's be a little less dramatic!!"
3. The fatigue takes hold and I'm forced to rest despite the oppressive boredom. I experience depression symptoms and lose my zest. I'm drawn to quick highs like sugar and caffeine to even feel normal. I know I need sleep but stay in a warped denial. I beat myself up for taking my health for granted and ending up on my ars once again...
4. I get angry. I mean cranky, irritable, yucky to be around spicy. I envision doing terrible things to people that cut me off on the freeway. I am no where near connected to my best, open, loving self and wouldn't know the first place to look to find her. I am upset with the world because I am really upset with myself. There is no love to give out if I am not cultivating any love within.
AND THEN I GET REAL with myself and I make friends again with my Vitamix.
I start making spinach, protein powder, broccoli, smoothies. I bathe my cells in Spirulina, chlorella, and the good parts of green veggies. I start taking my supplements again and focusing on my hydration. I say no things to get enough sleep. I remind myself that I am good enough even if I don't get it all done and that my beauty, energy, cancer prevention, cognitive sharpness, and mood all depend on the occasional nap and good food choices.
And then I start feeling REALLY GOOD AGAIN. I wonder how I ever neglected my nutrition, scheduled exercise, and commitment to sleep. I have to remind myself to not overcommit and start the whole process all over again. ... Which is likely to happen :)
YOU DESERVE TO FEEL GOOD
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GETHSH is a wellness blog dedicated to researching the variables in the formula to feeling good. All suggestions should be reviewed with your licensed practitioner and taken on your own free will.
I don't just want an anti-depressant! Can't they test for root causes?
When I began considering getting on an antidepressant 5 years ago, I was quickly overwhelmed at the different types and the difficulty figuring out which antidepressant or anti anxiety would be best.
Should I address my Serotonin or Dopamine levels? Which would make me fat? Kill my sex drive? Make me one-dimensional & flat? Take my current Serotonin & leave it on the synapse longer but not actually get me more of it?
I didn't want to trial and error serious brain balance shifters before testing & I couldn't be more grateful to find someone that knew what to test for and how to go about it.
A doctor that knew what to look for and knew which tests to order! She checked to see if I had problems with my nutrition intake, absorption, or conversion as well as how well my brain manufactured my happiness chemicals Serotonin and Dopamine. She checked my hormone balance and explained which times of the month my estrogen & progesterone would be out of whack with normal annoying female cycle drops. She explained stress hormone Cortisol and it's affect on mood and relationship with sugar.
She gave me a better understanding of the pieces of the puzzle and changed the way I looked at chocolate pie. Dessert is now called Moody Blues in my house.
“1. my Vitamin D levels were as dangerously low as many of her depressed patients (taking 5000 IU/day if you live north of LA/Atlanta is a good idea & getting at least 15 minutes of sunscreen free sunshine mid day is also good)
2.my B vitamins weren’t converting properly to help make Serotonin (60% of people have conversion problems genetically)
3. my brain didn’t naturally make enough motivation and reward driving Dopamine ( Which explained the draw to chaos and constant activity )
4. My Serotonin stayed on my brain long enough Yay! (SSRI’s like Prozac would NOT have helped my mood at all & would have likely lowered my libido and sparked weight gain! )
5. I am low in estrogen which makes me muscular and lean w little boobs, makes me break out, and affects mood but reduces my chance for most reproductive cancers.- getting on an Estrogen patch certain times of the month is an option I wasn’t previously aware of.
”
Knowing what I'm working with lets me make better choices, forgive the parts I don't have control of, and change the things I do. Sugar is a terrible idea especially if I'm already burning through my B vitamins with other stress. Sleep and Leafy greens are practically medicine. I need to supplement the appropriate amino acids building blocks that make Serotonin and Dopamine naturally in my brain. Exercise is my "in the moment" Happy Juice releaser when I'm getting blah. I now practice reframing situations. thinking positively, and yoga breathwork. I also now know that choosing anti depressants that affect the Dopamine receptor/levels will be more effective than those dealing with Serotonin in my brain's case. I feel empowered rather than helpless and overwhelmed.
Dr. Stephanie is available at www.intuitivewomenswellness.com. Please tell her thank you for me- she is a blessing. She is also the founder of FunctionalMedicine.com as well as the MaleVitalityProgram. I can't rave about her enough.
YOU DESERVE TO FEEL GOOD
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
GETHSH is a wellness blog dedicated to researching the variables in the formula to feeling good. All suggestions should be reviewed with your licensed practitioner and taken on your own free will.