Hello amazing friends and welcome to my sixty-fifth blog.

 

It has been a while since I published a blog, for a couple of reasons. Anyway, since the middle of May we have not socialized with friends (like so many of you) and I have been in and out of isolation having been exposed on an almost ongoing basis to patients and family who have been infected with Covid. As a result of this I have had a fair bit of time on my hands.

As most of you by now know, I am passionate about health and wellness. This is a subject which is continually evolving, and I am constantly learning and developing and modifying my thoughts on the subject. I have realized that I need to make sure that I am not just following trends but rather that I am concentrating on the science and what is good for me as a person and examining my optimal health holistically and across a broad spectrum. I have used this enforced intermittent sabbatical time to try to make some more sense of it all.

 

Below are some thoughts on an assortment of health practices.

 

 

1. Honest revelations.

Part of my own health routine is trying to balance the healthy lifestyle with the not-so-healthy. I love my bubbles and a delicious glass of Sauvignon Blanc is also just the biz for me. I am even enjoying the odd glass of red on a cold winter’s night. I adore chocs, all types, not just the dark (unfortunately) and have a penchant for fruit pastilles. I love bread (white as well as health) and a piece of thickly iced vanilla cake gets my mouth a watering. Do not start me on desserts, the more decadent the better. Added to this, I sometimes do not feel like exercising or preparing the most nutritious grub. Over the last month or so things have gone a wee bit pear for a variety of reasons, and that is okay.   I have fallen off the wagon, landed on the road and have had to dust myself off and start again. I am okay with this.

 

2. Sustainability.

I am a huge believer in sustainability within my own life. I cannot start practices that I am unable to sustain. They need to be able to be incorporated in my life with relative ease and they need to become habitual. Habits are massive minefield for another day. So, I am really exploring practices that are sustainable and this will be an ongoing journey. Also remembering the 80/20 rule or for me now the 70/30 rule. The first being great choices and the second the treat and comforting ones.

 

 

3. Learning.

Another aspect of my health practices is to keep learning and to this end I have been beyond blessed particularly with the physio treatments I have been doing recently. I have had numerous WhatsApp video calls with patients with Covid and have learnt an amazing amount on breathing and breathwork and their importance in helping people with respiratory issues. I am also treating patients for post-Covid complications, and this is also an amazing learning curve. I have also been using my several periods of self-isolating to do a great deal of research on falls and fall prevention.

 

4. Cooking for optimal health.

Another minor sabbatical with my experimental plant-based cooking, but I have been doing a bit of baking and have fallen in love with the delicious date and banana muffin recipe from Jessica Sepal which I have tweaked to scrumptiousness.  I still love perusing my compendium of cookbooks and will return to this aspect of my health and wellness forthwith.  It is just on the back burner and will return soon.

 

5. Social media.

I have not been inclined to write blogs or to do too much on Facebook or Instagram which has been so refreshing. I went off both for a while and loved it. Am now back on moderately. I have managed my aversion to group chats by keeping quiet unless I really have something to say and realizing that some people really do need to express themselves on group chats, and that is their prerogative.  If folk do not reply to my messages straight away, that is also fine. It is also their right and I have no place being critical or judgemental about this. Except for my Boys. That is most definitely a chat for another day.

 

6. Physically.

I have really been taking care of myself and listening to my body, which is relatively new to me and a health practice with which I am thrilled. This has resulted in me exercising when I feel like it as mentioned above and resting when I do not. A great deal less than I normally exercise. I have also not been a beating myself up over this or worrying about my weight. This is a large win for me.

 

7. Being kind to myself.

I have been sleeping in often, and this is completely and utterly unheard of for me. Superb actually as this has meant sleeping for more hours and as we all know quality sleep is vital for optimal health and wellness. Having been treating so little, this has been the name of the game. So decadent and utterly delightful. It has been the occasional rusks dipped in milo for breakfast in bed whilst enjoying the mindlessness of the Hello magazine. It has meant sitting on the couch with my Girls watching heaps of tennis whilst researching, taking notes, and reading. So very enriching and great for my mental health.

 

8. Family time.

It has been about not socializing for more than six weeks now, but about having time with Pops and a wonderful catch up with E when he visited over Muz’s birthday. Also, a lot of time with my Mum after her surgery and as she convalesces with us at home now. We have really bonded, and it has been so good for us. Stressful at times, but that is totally normal. I would be odd if it were not. Revel in the time spent with my eldest who is an unbelievably awesome presence in our home. Missed him so when he had to properly self-isolate. The other two are sadly mostly away. As always, extra special time with Rich. Laughing often and constantly even when times are tough.

 

9. Connecting.

So many messages from and to my awesome tribe of magnificent friends. Not so much talking initially but slowly making up for this now.  I have connected with new folk and re connected with old friends. It has been a time of self-reflection and letting go of baggage and negative thoughts. Also linking with magnificent carers and nursing staff and relatives. More laughing and fun, and mainly virtually. I am also astonished and thrilled by the way in which our community has come together to consistently help and support those families or folk in need during this devastating, heartbreaking and beyond dreadful time. I struggle to express how privileged I have felt with the connections I have had over this time.

 

10. Supplementation.

I have been vigilant about taking my many multivitamins and supplements and am hoping these will continue to help maintain my great health. Particularly as I have not made perfect choices, but we have spoken enough about this already. All cool and feel grateful that I am able to positively augment my food intake.

 

11. Managing stress.

My stress levels have been high (as have most people I know). This Delta variant of Covid has been too dreadful for words. Dear friends have lost loved ones, friends have been gravely ill with the virus, and several people are really struggling with long-Covid symptoms. What is for me the scariest thing is that I do not know when and where it will all end. This is a real ongoing struggle and worry for me and millions of other people and I honestly do not know how to manage this. My mum’s uncertain health is also making me anxious often and constantly. My boys and their futures, Rich, and Pops…. it can all be too much at times. Then I sit quietly, I think, I try to count my blessings, I pray and that settles me for the most part. Of course, exercise is amazing, too. I think I have only properly lost it on one occasion. Perhaps I should just check this with my favourite. Or maybe not.  My patience has improved, from rather a low base, but I am pleased with this.  On the odd occasion I have even managed to zip my lips. Wow!!! I can almost see you all shaking your heads, but I promise this is true!!

 

12. Vitamin D

I love time in my home and garden and our Highveld winter is really just great. Even on those chilly days, its rare not to be able to sit or walk outside by midday and get a magnificent dose of vitamin D. We have chatted endlessly about the enormous benefits of this.

 

13. Being me

A little up and down, as sometimes I have had to suck some stuff up, but that is life. I have come to terms a great deal of late and feel so much more comfortable in my skin. This is proper progress for me.

 

14. Giving thanks

So, this one has definitely been roller coaster like as there have been recent challenges, but more recently, as I have seen what beyond terrible things other people are having to deal with, I have amped up my gratitude big time. I do give myself a break when I feel bummed by something that seems trivial compared to the suffering of others. I have been happy with my acceptance of not being able to treat very much over the last while. I love my work, but I have also realized that there is always so much for me to do at home, and it has helped my ongoing studies and research big time. It is also great for my self-esteem as my patients really do seem to miss me.

 

So, friends, I hope that my ramblings have kept you a little entertained..

If you can take home one idea from this, I will be happy.

Take care, stay safe and please be kind.