My Rx for Health

30 Jan My Rx for Health

Dear Friend,

What the heck am I doing sitting in Starbucks on a Friday night at 7:30pm? Why, I’m sorting through today’s prescription for health of course!

I thought what I needed was Restorative Yoga. So I made acrobatic arrangements to get care for my kids, and then I drove in stop and go traffic for 45 minutes to make a class I could take in joyous aloneness happen.

I was 10 minutes late. I ran up the stairs to the studio, slipped off my non-yoga clothing and quieter than a Buddha, and surveyed the jam-packed parking lot out the window as I signed my name on the class list. The genetically perfectly shaped yoga instructor startled me out of my daze to hurry my bum into that room.

‘Hi, Um, I had no idea this class would be so popular,’ she said.

I choked out, ‘Yes, it looks pretty full.’

“If you could get here earlier next time, that will be great,” she scolded me with a smile.

*&#@ I said to myself. She has no idea how much this exhausted mother of three needs Restorative Yoga right now, after a long day of work, and the shear juggling of schedules and the traffic.

“Yeah, I’m out of blankets!” She brimmed with restorative energy.

This meant I was not on the VIP list. I didn’t have any other good ideas, so I stood like a statue in awkward silence.

She picked up my hand as she walked me to the door and gave me a little pat in the direction of the parking lot – a little bump of encouragement to hit the pavement.

“I’ll lock the door so that no one else comes in,” she said goodbye.

Why does this get me down? Why was I was really looking forward to doing Yoga in a dimly lit room with other sympathetic strangers in need of restoration?

My reserves were low. This is the perfect example of a woman (me) who wants to practice what she preaches and do something for both health and enjoyment. I was emotionally knocked down.

Yoga, extra self care, self love, finding the spirit within, eating right, meditation… all the stuff I pride myself helping others find for themselves. Well, I don’t always get it despite my best intentions. I drove to Starbucks to sulk in restorative blog land.

The last time I was on the phone with my Dr. she asked me what I was doing during the day. I informed her I was teaching meditation among other things to help people achieve balance in their lives.

Interesting. She said to me, “It’s great you are helping other people, but I’d really like you to do more mediation yourself.”

My Doc doesn’t know much about my daily meditation practice. Still I have a reality check mantra — for myself and because I so much want this for me + you – all of us who really need it.

Take time out for yourself. Underline. Exclamation point! Bold.

Find time to relax. If it doesn’t work out, try again.

Here’s my scrip as edited from my fab physician. I have tired adrenal glands. That’s my situation. Use what works for you and check with a health care specialist you trust.

1. Get to bed before 10 PM. Sleep is way underrated.
2. Meditate – If you don’t know how, take a class from me or find someone to walk you through the process.
3. Take Epsom salt baths — 2 cups with lavender oil drops — at least 20 minutes — this is like having a massage.  It will take stress off your body, which will help the adrenal glands. It also helps detox. (Ask your Dr. first if this is right for you).
4. Calm magnesium —1 to 2 tsps. 1 to 2 times a day to help stress response. Ask your Doc if Magnesium is something that is good for your situation. It can be a great natural sleep aid.
5. ‘Clean Up’ your nutrition! Eat better whole, organic, food. (Being totally intolerant to gluten — I eat gluten-free).
6. Increase water intake.
7. Increase vegetable intake.
8. Do movement that is right for you. If you are cleared for slow walking and yoga, do both. If you have adrenal fatigue like I do, get exercise cleared with your Doctor first.
9. Do not skip meals! This may huge stress on the adrenal glands and blood sugar levels. Eat a small, healthy, balanced snack between meals.
10. Check with your doctor about taking digestive enzymes. They can be helpful for many people and especially beneficial for those with digestive issues.
11. Know what your stress level is and find out about taking an ASI or Adrenal Stress Index test.
12. Ask your Doctor about your IgA levels. If they are very low, this is the first line of defense against allergies and infections. Your Dr. may recommend something to help raise this level.

*** Although I’m an educator and proponent for healthy living, I’m not an M.D. or degreed health goddess, so check with your own Medical Practitioner/Dr. before starting any program or lifestyle change. ***

In Health,

XO

Anne

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