Day 46: The Beginning of the End....

Dear Blog Readers:

I am ready  to set sail for new writing adventures.

I know it is premature to end  my Living Dr. Oz journey but my healthy lifestyle journey didn't begin 46 days ago. 

I have been lucky to be blessed with good health for all my forty five years.  My family doctor has told me for years on end that my test results come back low risk and my risk for major illnesses is that of someone in their early thirties. I have never been told to lose weight despite my dream of being size 8 and looking 28 years old again!  I weight 150 lbs now which is  a healthy weight for someone my age and my height (hovering at 5'9'').  My GP told me that in the last six years my weight has only fluctuated give or take five lbs. My blood pressure is fine and knock on wood, I have kept a steady course of healthy habits in adulthood.

Here is the deal:  I have been eating for the most part very healthy my whole life. I am a decent cook and my meals have always had the four food groups and are balanced. Sure, I am not 135 lbs anymore but people recognize me on the street and I still fit into lots of clothes from five or six years ago.  I am on my feet all day Monday to Friday as a teacher.  I get up at dawn and don't stretch out on the couch till close to eight thirty or nine pm because I am busy running around doing housework, cooking, laundry, errands and all those second shift jobs that full time working moms do.  When I wear my pedometer, I am hitting anywhere from 12,000 to 15,000 a day just doing my teaching job and wife/mom job.

I think this blog idea is better suited to someone who needs to do a complete 360 degree turn around and come full circle in his or her life.  Other than being a little more conscientious of what I snack on, for the most part I have pretty much done what I have always done  and I've felt good about my overall health.

I squeeze in regular exercise on the weekends and I have yet to be out of breath or pain after a day of biking, hiking or swimming.

So, it is time for me to no longer focus on reiterating and regurgitating what Dr. Oz says and what I have been doing for a long time e.g, Omega 3, adequate sleep, Vitamin D, healthy eating, 10,000 steps a day and move on to a different passion. Writing short stories and re-visiting my chick-lit novel, things that are on my bucket list.

Along with: planting a perennial garden, learning how to play guitar, cycling around the city discovering new kitschy spots and joining a choir. I would also like to dust off my tennis raquet and join my kids in a few rounds'.

So dear readers, thank you for your interest in my blog.

I hope one day you will be reading more of Maija Kimens, but this time it will not be about Dr. Oz and health, but a different genre focusing on the human condition.

Wishing you Health and Soulful Happiness,

Maija

Day 45: Here Comes the Sun......

Last year Dr. Oz talked about his number one vitamin supplement: Vitamin D. 

All his audience members left with Vitamin D 3 bottles.  Most of us do not get enough vitamin D in our diet.  We are vitamin D deficient.  Vitamin D insufficiency is linked to many diseases such as cancer, diabetes, MS, cardiovascular disease, depression and autoimmune diseases.

It is recommended that we get 15 minutes of unprotected sunlight a day.  More than that in hot climates is a concern since we are then exposing ourselves to UV rays and increasing our risk of skin cancer.  For those of us fellow Canadians, or people living in northern climates, the sun in the winter is not enough to give us the vitiamin D levels we need in our body. 

Why is Vitamin D 3 important:

-helps bone growth and maintain bone density
-promotes strong bones
-increases calcium absorption to maximize bone health
-boosts your immune system
-prevents cancer
-can  reduce chronic pain

There is a blood test that can be done to ascertain the Vitamin D levels in your body.

The recommended daily about to take is 1,000 mg.  If you have arthritis or other joint or bone issues, higher dosages are recommended.  Consult with your physician before beginning any supplementation.

Spring is here and summer is around the corner.

Practice sun safety by wearing a hat, avoiding the peak sun hours from 11 am to 3 pm and wearing sunscreen without paraben type ingredients. 

Include natural sources of vitamin D and supplement to maintain your optimum health!

Day 44: Forks Over Knives

On April 27th, Dr. Oz had several guests promoting the documentary, Forks Over Knives.  It opens May 20th to the general public in Canada and May 13th in the USA.  I urge you to check out the trailer listed below.  The premise of the movie is that we can improve our health by completely eliminating dairy, fish, eggs, meat and chicken from our diets.  Rather than succumbing one day to the doctor's scalpel, our forks will guide us to a new way of longevity and well-being.


http://www.forksoverknives.com/

Here in Toronto we have had a brilliant day of sunshine! 

Here's to clinking forks rather than glasses,

Maija

Day 43: Health Vows and Wedding Vows Go Hand in Hand

Today Kate and William tied the knot!  History was made for the royal family.  Many Dr. Oz shows tackle the topic of how good marriages can improve health and how bad marriages can destroy your health.  Below I have copied and pasted an article from the Dr. Oz archives. I have also shared my own two cents worth.  My first marriage lasted ten years.  After a a six year hiatus as a single parent, I am now in my third year of my second marriage.  I have some life experience to pass along to the newlyweds too!

I have made mistakes and had successes along the way.  Being imperfect, I have learned the hard way as to what works and doesn't when it comes to communication in relationships.  It's a life-long learning skill too.  We either grow as people in a way that brings people closer or creates distance. 

 In January 2010, this is what Dr. Oz had to share about the link between the marriage and health:

Most of us have heard that married people are healthier than their single counterparts. But new research shows that the state of your union matters more than just being married.

One recent study found that couples living in a miserable marriage are 25 times more likely to suffer a major depression than those in a happy marriage. And if you have suffered a heart attack, a bad marriage could increase your risk for a second attack. It can also cripple your recovery from cancer and weaken your immune system. Even a single bad argument can raise your blood pressure sharply, putting your health on the line.

Facing tough times is part and parcel of matrimony. In fact, the first 5 years of marriage have been shown to be the most stressful, as couples navigate the transition from dating, take on new financial responsibilities, consider becoming (or become) parents, and build a life together. But how you choose to respond to the slings and arrows could save your life. Here are 4 tips designed to alleviate stress, increase communication and help make your relationship and you healthier.

Identify Your Stressors
Sit down with your partner and write down everything that causes stress in your relationship. Divide triggers into 2 categories: in your control and out of your control. Then pick 3 items from the “in your control” list, brainstorm ways you can work together to solve them, and write your strategies down.

Fight Fair
Conflict is a natural, inevitable part of any relationship and running from it will only seed trouble, not solve it. But it’s how you fight that counts.

The healthiest way to disagree is to view an argument as an opportunity to work things out and develop effective communication skills. Explain how you feel, ask for what you need, encourage your spouse to do the same and listen well when they do. Follow the 5 to 1 rule: for every single negative thing you say to one another, you wipe out 5 positive things you have said.

Make Peace Over Money
Experts (and amateurs) agree that having a different approach to spending money is one of the greatest relationship stressors and the cause of many fights and divorces. Explain to your other half how your parents dealt with money and how that informs your choices and have them do the same. Then each of you should clearly explain what you need or want and where your priorities lie. Come to an agreement about how you will spend, and how you will talk about spending, that you both can live with.

Prioritize Health
Controlling the stress in your life is a great first step to improving your health. Bolster that commitment with other healthy choices. Make more meals at home, never skip breakfast, pack healthy lunches, and limit how much you eat out (which will cut down on money stress and overeating). (The Dr. Oz show - Jan. 7, 2010).

My advice to the couple is as follows:  Follow the Golden Rule.

Do unto others as you would like them to do unto you.  Always take the high road during a conflict so you never have any regrets of what you have said, done, unsaid or not done. 

Follow Judy Welch's 10 10 10 approach to issues.  Ask yourself will this matter (or how signficant will this be) ten minutes from now, ten days from now, ten weeks from now, ten months from now and ten years from now?

Ask yourself, is this a hill to die on? (Courtesy of my former next door neighbour, a new age massage therapist who always shared this mantra).

Make peace first rather than last.

Marry someone who you feel at home with and who is like your long lost friend.

Shared values and philosophies of life are more important than shared interests. 

In the end you need to have similiar views on family, finances and life creeds as those are the things that get you through the peaks and valleys of marriage. 

A tennis partner for doubles, a shared interest in cultural affairs or a  passion for imported cheeses at farmer markets is not as important as finding someone who shows and lives mutual respect for others.

Trust your gut instinct and speak up if something signficant is bothering you rather than let resentments build.

Ask yourself everday, have I done one thing to help my spouse today?

Don't be a prince or primadonna with one another.  Give more than you get and your life will reap far more health benefits than if you keep a tally chart.

Trust is the bricks and mortar that creates the foundation of marriage.

Don't let your past love life failures or history dictate your present and future.  Every day is a new beginning to do and say things to one another that are helpful rather than harmful.

Lastly, tell your spouse everyday how much he or she means to you. Treasure one another everyday so that your love will grow each and everyday.

Long Live Love (and Long Live the Queen),

Maija

Day 42: Making Sacred Time for Your Family the Dr. Oz Way

Nowadays, much of our time spent with others is filled with distractions. 

Ever notice at work, around the dinner table or at restaurants, people sitting beside and across from one another are not spending quality time together?

 Either people are texting, watching TV, flicking through the pages of a newspaper, book or magazine or the radio is blaring.

I have met many widowed folks and people who live alone, who keep their TV or radio on all the time for company. 

Whether we are alone or with others, technology fills a void with electronbic company when that space around the table is scared.  Habits are hard to break. Especially when people are accustomed to tuning out at the end of the day when they need to be tuning in. We need to be reaching out to each other. 

Dr. Oz writes about the importance of family in his April 2010 blog.  This is what Dr. Oz says,
                                      Importance of Family
"This week one of the most important people in my life, my wife Lisa, will be joining me on the show.  She is a major creative force and an integral part of “The Dr. Oz Show” family.  In fact, she predicted long ago that I would one day have my own television show, and as much as I’d love to take the credit, Lisa is responsible for that prediction coming true. 

The professional and creative collaborations we’ve shared over 25 years of marriage not only give us more time to spend together, but also help us remain connected despite two very demanding careers and four kids.  It strengthens our family when we can look at what another is doing and find ways to join in. It’s one of the concepts Lisa explores in her new book Us: Transforming Ourselves and the Relationships that Matter Most.

What Lisa teaches us with this book is that “us” begins with “you.” On the show, we’re focusing on the relationship between parents and their children. I believe she’s drawn from her personal experiences and crafted a book that reveals the Oz-family formula for parents balancing their careers and all-important family time.

For example, there’s a good chance your kids are interested in something you could find interesting as well, but you’ll only figure that out if you slow down long enough to look at it. One of the best times to do so is when you’re together at the dinner table. All families should make better use of this sacred time. Even if the family can only get together once a week, it can become the event that everyone looks forward to and where everyone gets to express themselves;hopefully it will become a beloved tradition your children impart as they grow older and begin families of their own.

It is fundamentally important that parents take action now, because many children are growing up in homes where both parents have full-time careers, a major change from the American norm just 50 years ago. As a result, we have to work harder than ever to establish a bond with them. What we can teach them now by example is how to manage a successful career without allowing it to cast your loved ones in its shadow.  -Dr. Oz".

In my first marriage, when I was a single parent and now in my second marriage, I have continued to insist that at dinner time, the TV is off and we are tuned  in to chat with one another.  Even when I was on my own and my children were visiting their father, I set a table for one, made myself a nice homemade meal nad sat in silence, enjoying my dinner hour. 

That twenty minutes a few times a week is often the only time that all family members get together.  Plus, without having distractions, you can enjoy the food in front of you, pay attention to when you are full and eat mindfully.

Next time we fill our agendas with our commitments, hobbies, appointments and celebratory dates, make sure you add family dinner time on the calendar a few times a week.

It sets a precedence that will be passed on for future generations to come and then there will always be a space at the table for you too!
,

Day 41: Shhhh......

Today was a busy day! My class went on a morning field trip, in the afternoon we performed a song for an Earth Day assembly and the rest of the day has been filled with errands and all those hidden responsiblities that working moms do before their spouses get home. 

Therefore, tonight while I still have a reserve of energy, I am giving myself some down time .

 Dr. Oz reviewed the dos and don`ts of what to do if someone faints on his show today.  Elevate a person`s  feet 12 inches above their head, loosen clothing, check for pulse and breathing and call 911.  In this segment, Dr. Oz had two actors situated in a busy food court walking by and one actor pretended to faint.  Other than an off duty nurse, a person who worked in Emergency services and someone who had CPR and First Aid training, no one even got up and came to the aid of the fainting victim.  The folks closet to the woman who had fainted, stayed sitting and some even continued to eat oblivious to the scene before them.

When it was revealed that this was all an act, the people who did not come to the victim`s aid admitted that they had no idea what to do and waited until someone stepped up to the plate.

This spring everyone of us should be re-certifying our expired first aid certificates or doing what we can to learn how to handle ourselves in an unexpected emegency.

It`s one thing to put up a Do Not Disturb sign to catch a few extra zzzz...s and another to turn a blind eye to someone who needs help.

Day 40: Fashion Faux Pas Health Hazards

What does a cinched waist belt, wedge sandals and a pair of metal aviator sunglasses have in common? 

On the Dr. Oz show yesterday, Dr. Oz and a fashion expert talked about the health hazards of some of the latest looks and what options you could do for a healthy fashion alternative.

Metal aviator sunglasses can cause rashes over time.  Substitute a pair of oversized plastic sunglasses for the same look.

Tight cinched belts can cause indigestion and restrict the abdominal muscles.  Skinny belts are the healthier and more comfortable option. 

Ankle wedge sandals can cause ankle damage and increase potential risk of injury when wearing them.  Instead substitute wedge sandals with a pair that have a supportive ankle strap or pick gladiator sandals.

 Be a smiling fashionista. Not a suffering fashionista.  Sacrificing comfort for fashion winds up giving you health consequences down the road.  Walk the runway pain free by choosing the better accessory.

Day 39: To Be or Not to Be Blonde? Hair Colour, Safe or Dangerous?

Spring is here.  Time to feel light, carefree and bright!  It's a time when in the past I would be heading to my hair colourist to get a sun-kissed glow on my crown!

For 27  years I highlighted my hair blonde.  I went for touch-ups anywhere from 4 to 10 weeks.  My hair grew lighter and lighter with various shades of blonde interwoven.  Hair bleach and hair dye are chemicals. 
Last fall I started doing research on hair colouring.  After spending nearly half my life colouring my hair, could I be putting myself at risk?

I did research from various sources and decided to go back to my natural colour.  As a child I was a dark blonde. My shade faded to light brown as a teen and I dove into using spray on lighteners before going full force into cap and then later foil highlights.  It wasn't until people in my peer group were being diagnosed with cancer that I started to question not just what I put in my body but also on my body.

Unlike henna which is natural, bleach and hair dye is toxic.  Hair stylists wear gloves to apply the colour.  The smells can be noxious if ventiliation is poor at the salon. 

What does Dr. Oz have to say about hair colour?

Read below and find out.

Artificial coloring on your hair, whether you're bleaching it or coloring it, is the equivalent of artificial coloring in food - it may make it look as pretty as can be, but it's not always the healthiest thing you can do to your head. There is some suspicion that permanent black hair dye can cause leukemia and lymphomas and some chemicals that are no longer used caused bladder cancer. Because of extensive lobbying in the 1930s, hair-dye manufacturers only have to put warnings on the labels for skin and eye irritation. But in the late 1970s, the FDA proposed a warning linked to products that used two coal-tar ingredients - 4-methoxy-m-phenylenediamine (4MMPD) or its sulfate cousin (it never was implemented).
Temporary hair dyes are safer than permanent dyes, so the purple Mohawk you're considering probably poses little risk to your health - though it won't help you ace your next job interview, either. Bleaching, on the other hand, will really run up your hair bill as you try to salvage permanent damage.
Here's why: The pigment of your hair comes from the inner two layers. When you bleach your hair, you damage the shingles that create the covering of the hair shaft. The dye, which slips through the gaps in the outer layers, swells to give your hair a different color. But the prior or current damage the bleach caused allows the dye to slowly slip out of the hair, so we end up losing the full body of the hair faster than if we had just left it alone.
Now, in the olden days, hair dyes were toxic. Women who had their hair dyed monthly were twice more likely to get bladder cancer. Dyes have changed, but some still contain lead, known to cause neurologic damage. Others contain the skin-irritant coal-tar; if you get it in your eyes, you can lose your vision. Coal-tar hair dyes have also been linked to cancer in animals. The FDA has tried to put a ban on hair dyes that contain a coal-tar-like chemical called 4-MMPD, but manufacturers have fought this. Any dye that penetrates the skin is a cause for concern. It will take several more decades to know if hair dyes currently in use have subtle side effects.
I'll quote Billy Joel when it comes to bleaching, dying, and adding hot-pink highlights: "I like you just the way you are."

Find out more about this book: YOU: Being Beautiful

Another article is found in the International Agency for Researchy on Cancer, March 26, 2008.

Article date: March 26, 2008

Regular exposure to hair dyes, processing agents, and other chemicals used in hair salons and barbershops probably increases cancer risk, according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), a World Health Organization panel that maintains the world's most commonly-used system for classifying carcinogens. But there’s not enough evidence to say whether personal use of these products is linked to elevated risk, according to the report.
The IARC has labeled these occupations as "probably carcinogenic to humans," a classification the agency reserves for those exposures backed by fairly strong evidence.

It took me to my mid-forties to feel good about being who I am, all natural, darker hair and all.  The confidence that my highlights gave me is not as strong as the belief I have that I am making a healthier choice today for tomorrow!

Be you rather than Blonde, Brunette or Red!

Day 38: Christening my Bicycle! Spring Has Sprung!

Hurrah!  Here in Toronto the weather reached 19/20 degrees celsius and spring has finally sprung!

A few days ago Dr. Oz said on his show that when it comes to anything to keep you motivated with exercise, "if you don't love it, you won't do it".  Well, yesterday, my Dad, husband and I dug out a patch of our backyard lawn for a vegetable garden.  Today I cycled.  Old favourites of mine!

I cycled all afternoon with my husband.  We cycled through Riverdale and to Yorkville.  I haven't cycled that much in over 17 years. There was a time when I cycled to university, to my summer job at Ontario Place and as my preferred mode of transportation. I used to bring my bike on a bike rack and cycle in Niagara on the Lake, Cape Cod, Nantucket, Ottawa and Montreal.

Then babies came, my bike was forgotten and replaced with Little Tykes wagons, tricycles and kids' bikes. 

Being a single mom to two little kids for a few years while teaching kindergarten and primary aged school children all day left me with little time or energy to focus on my past loves.

My spring crush is my bike. Spring fever has re-ignited bike fever.

Right now I am on an exercise high so I am not sure if my leg muscles will be tired out tonight or tomorrow.  My legs haven't had this type of workout since my late twenties.

If you want to feel free and young again while giving your heart and body a great work-out, dust off your bike or treat yourself to a sturdy and easy to ride bike and GET CYCLING!

Day 37: Hedging Bets on the Royal Wedding

Pick up any newspaper, current affairs magazine or read any online UK paper website, everyone has started to hedge bets on the long-term outcome of the royal soon to be newlyweds?  Kate is not Diana and Will is not Charles.  In Day 35, Dr. Oz talks about the ways in which healthy marriages can boost longevity.

Will Kate and Will survive? They met eight years ago at age 20.  According to Macleans magazine, the couple has had a pretty uneventful courtship and they have lived together for a few years now.  They had a brief break up but got back together.

Charles maintained his friendship and relationship with Camilla whilst married to Diana. He wound up with his first love after Diana's death after Camilla left her husband. Back in those days, social circles evolved around face to face charity events, polo matches, balls and other regal celebrations with high society.

What about now? Will the advent of the internet, that is emails, texting, social network sites like Facebook mean that one day Will or Kate will be leaving one another?  Dr.Oz's wife, Lisa talks about the importance of communication in couples.  When you love yourself and have a healthy relationship with yourself, you are better equipped to establish boundaries with the ones you love.

Facebook is now one of the top reasons why couples stray.  All of a sudden, with the click of a mouse, you can get in touch with people you have not kept in contact with in ten , twenty or thirty years.

I was briefly on facebook a year and a half ago and deleted my account.  Most of the people who were contacting me were former male friends from highschool and past loves from my single years.  If I had really wanted to keep in touch with these folks because of common bond or circle of friends, we would not have lost touch.  Atlhough flattered I was remembered, it made me uncomfortable and I realized that when it comes to sharing details about my life and photos, I do that with my inner circle of friends and family. Not online. So I went off Facebook.

Will and Kate?  Where will they be in twenty or thirty years?  I hope together and attending their offsprings' weddings.

My marital advice to Will and Kate is what Dr. Oz says to couples: Hug each other every day and spend time connecting emotionally.

When your arms are around each other, they won't be clicking the mousepad or around someone else.

Here is what the UK Indepedent Paper Has To Share:

"Affairs are fizzling out, and the change is recent. If the final years of this decade are sounding the death-knell for the affair, the late Nineties and early Noughties were its zenith – and ever-cheaper technology was the fuel philanderers used to stoke the flames of desire. Increasingly available technology – mobile phones, SMS messages, internet connections, BlackBerrys and Bluetooth – made it easier than ever to make contact and stay in touch. "Technosexuals" used phones, email and the internet to hook up with partners for easy encounters. Bluetooth allowed the unfaithful to pick out potential partners on trains and in bars. Research by the London School of Economics found that a quarter of mobile-phone users sent sexually explicit text messages, and one in six people flirted with someone who was not their partner via their phones.

As home PCs became affordable, huge numbers of the populace went online. Through websites such as Friends Reunited, we started to seek out long-forgotten friends, often for romantic reasons. The same story was played out in homes across the globe. Bored husbands and housewives, hypnotised by Windows 95 and the wonders of a 24-bit per second dial-up internet connection, would wobble along the information superhighway from the comfort of the spare bedroom, track down high-school sweethearts and start affairs. Six month later, the marriage would be over. Luddites didn't stand a chance.

Even the England goalkeeper David James succumbed to the lure of Friends Reunited and walked out on his 13-year marriage after rekindling an affair with an old flame through the nostalgia-driven website.

Friends Reunited, launched in 1999, was arguably the first mainstream social networking site. More than 15 million people subscribed. It was suddenly easy for any Tom, Dick or Harriet stuck in a loveless marriage to try to revive the carefree romances of their youth. Friendships that had lapsed decades ago were dusted off, and affairs were inevitably started.

It became easier than ever to find people to cheat with. At the same time, the logistics of an affair also became easier, thanks to burgeoning communication online.

And it won't stop there. The BT futurologist Ian Pearson predicts that in the next 10 to 15 years urban positioning technology will mean that you can text an attractive person in a bar just by pointing your phone at them. He also predicts the rise of technology such as "ego-badges"; jewellery-like devices on which you will be able to upload personal information for transmission to passers-by. ations technology. The very structure of the way we communicate with each other changed. Personal mobile phones outsold home phones; text messaging abbreviations crept into standard language; kisses at the end of communications became common; emails replaced "snail mail" and then replaced telephone calls; and finally, face-to-face conversations diminished as office workers began emailing colleagues sitting next to them rather than speaking to them. "

The Independent UK Paper Online

May Kate ande Will have a marriage that boosts their health and longevity.  May they break bread around their table with royal generations to come.

Day 36: How Much Is Your Emotional Account Worth?

Building or depleting your emotional bank account?

One's emotional bank account in life works in the reverse order from your money account. The more deposits you make doing good deeds for others, the more your own emotional account grows in equity.

Easter for some of us is a a three or four day long weekend. For those of us who are Christians, or if we are affiliated with other religious denominations, the first long weekend in Spring has elements of reawakening, rebirth and rejuvenation. 

On Day 35 Dr. Oz shared some stories about love and devotion from his medical practice and his own family life.  What I found admirable is that he stated to his daughters, that the best thing he had ever done was marry their mother.  Testimonial love, becoming more rare these days.

My parents will be celebrating their 46th wedding anniversary next week.  They married at age 25 after meeting at a church confirmation party several years prior.  A year later, my twin brother and I were born.  They both share similar backgrounds, having come from Latvia to Canada in the late 1950's.  Much of their childhood was spent in a Red Cross refugee camp in Germany and later both sets of my grandparents and my parents lived in various parts of France, before being sponsored to come to Canada.

My brother and I were raised to be grateful for our opportunities.  As a first generation Canadian, I can attest that despite the importance of being financially secure, I also learned  that one's emotional bank account is equally if not more important.  My grandparents left behind their family businesses, homesteads and assets to start a new life with their children.  All they had was each other to rely on. 

Appreciatively, I grew up observing my parents look after my grandparents health, home repairs and well-being so that they were able to live independently in their own homes until their late eighties and early nineties.  I hope to return the favour to my parents one day. 

When it comes to emotional bank accounts in your immediate circle, do you deposit more into your loved ones accounts or do more withdrawals?

Dr. Oz encourages people when they first wake up to do stretching. He also suggests a few minutes of meditation, visioning your day and at  some point in the day, paying gratitude to the good things in your life.  Keeping a gratitude journal sounds corny but it goes hand in hand with your emotional bank account.

The more grateful you are in life, in general the longer you will live.  Regardless of your bank assets.

It takes more effort to do something nice for someone else than it does to make a withdrawal from another.

This weekend, join me in rediscovering your emotional bank account.  Are you happy with the reservoirs you are building with your immediate family and friends?  Is there anything you can do to build up someone else's emotional account?

Day 35: Relationship Q and A with Dr. Oz

Easter is a time to count our blessings.  Our emotional equity in relationships is often put aside for financial profits.  Often when people count their blessings, health and their loved ones may not even make the top three list.

It's easy to take our significant others, family and friends for granted. Dr. Oz often talks about happiness and mentions that people who demonstrate gratitude and do thoughtful things for others e.g., volunteering, helping a stranger, an act of kindness for a loved one, have less stress and health ailments in their lives.

Most of my blog posts to date have been about diet and exercise.  What about our emotional well-being?  Our relationship with ourselves and one another?

Below is a Q and A with Dr. Oz that I stumbled across on the web.  Here is what he has to say about marriage, parenting, raising his children (he has four by the way) and the message he passed on to his daughter who recently tied the knot.

Dr. Oz on marriage and fidelity

Dr. Oz: Well in the animal kingdom it is very common for males and females not to bond for life. It’s a norm that they don’t, and there are even some cases where we’re pretty sure that there are actually infidelities occurring. And of course, proving this and putting a moral context to it is not fair, because in the animal kingdom there are different rules of engagement, so it’s hard to translate it directly. But it’s not unreasonable for anyone on this call to think that there’s a natural inclination for males and females to stray. But part of what’s made humans such a cool species is that we have been able to break rules from the animal kingdom. And one of the most important ones is trust and the ability to create a long-lasting relationship. We have over and over again demonstrated it correlates with longevity. Pay attention to the important things in life, which at the top of that list is the family relationship and the covenants you have with each other, is critical to the survival of our species. It always has been, it is what allowed us to come out of Africa 50,000 years ago and settle the entire world. And when we are at our best we pay attention to these covenants. We don’t make them rules that bind us and hold us from living life, we make them supportive, lessons that allow us to live life to the best and I think that where marriage ought to live.

Dr. Oz on how children can change a marriage

Dr. Oz: … Well you know there’s a couple of things that happen. When women

bear a child, especially the first child of a marriage, the father will often start seeing his wife as a mom rather than his lover… And that’s an understandable transition. There is something so sacred about a baby coming into existence. And the preciousness of that being gets in the way sometimes of the sexual relationships that we have that got us there in the first place. And so that needs to be clear to both father and wife, that they are there for each other and they have to support each other throughout that process.

And I remember I was doing an operation — I still do heart surgery — and so I was taking care of this guy and his wife was 24 weeks pregnant. And at 24 weeks, the baby is barely viable. I mean most of those kids, 50/50 will make it, maybe a little more. But it’s tough, and so before I went into the operation I had to ask the husband in private a very direct question. I said to him that he’s got two relatives on the table with me — you know his wife and to be born child — I said there is going to be a time probably in this operation where I’m going to have to make a decision that benefits one over the other. She had a mitral valve that had torn, so I had to do the heart surgery on her. And I said what’s your choice? And he said there’s no question about it, I married my wife, I know who she is. My child is, although I love the unborn baby and would love to have the baby, my loyalty is to my wife. And that’s what I think was the right answer in that case. And when we did the operation we paid attention to the mom and the child. But when the crisis occurred, we favored the mom a little bit. It turned out fine. The baby was born a couple of weeks later and everything worked out well. But that’s the ultimate decision you have to make in a family that’s just had a new child. Another thing with children, of course, (is) actually one of the benefits. The nice thing about a child is a child doesn’t care what you’re studying tomorrow. The child cares about now. So when you come home and you’ve had a difficult day — in my case if I’ve lost a patient or the show tapings didn’t go well — and when I get home and they want to play horsy. You know, it just changes your balance. You don’t care about the other things. It’s a very grounding experience.

Dr. Oz’s advice to his own daughters

I asked Dr. Oz what advice he gives his own daughters. I know my father was a strong influence on me.

Dr. Oz: Well the first important observation as a father is that your teenage daughters generally don’t care what you think. So you have to sort of insert yourself into their lives innocuously, and then over time sometimes they’ll open up. One very good way of doing that is to walk into their room and just sit there. I know that sounds crazy, but after you lie there for a while they’ll tell you that they don’t want you there. They’ll ask why you’re here and then after a few minutes they soften up and then they’ll say something, and then something else. When they were little girls, I used to always tell (them) bedtime stories because I knew that at night, when they were about to fall asleep, is when their guard come down. They begin to release and relax, and then you can actually start to tell them stories, fables and insights that might influence in a subtle way how they think about the world.

So what are the messages I tried to deliver them? First I emphasize that the smartest

thing that I ever did, the best thing that ever happened to me, was marrying their

mother, Lisa. I want them to hear that over and over again because it is a huge

bungee cord jump when you make that decision, male or female. Too often now, we

have people who are arguing about the hassles of marriage. And the beauty of

marriage is often not readily apparent to kids because they remember the conflicts

more then the bliss. So I emphasize that to them.

My eldest daughter Daphne, who just turned 24,  just got married this summer… I told her when she was a little girl — and I tell her sisters — that I think getting married at an early age is a very wise thing to do. It gives you a lifelong partner, before you started getting jaded and change your mind and start feeling the pressure of getting married. And start to think that you’re going to marry the perfect person if you just wait long enough, and then you feel the time pressure because you never found that person. Just recognize that there is no perfect person for you. You’re going to find someone that you have an emotional and physical connection to that you love, but for good or for bad, they’re not the perfect person for you. You’re going to make them the perfect person for you either by changing yourself or changing them. And it’s that coming together that makes marriage a remarkable event. That’s why arranged marriages for so many years — I’m not arguing to arrange marriages — but that’s why arranged marriages were often such an effective way of binding people because if the families got along, at least you had a social glue to get the couple to make peace when conflicts occur which happens anyway. And so I wanted them to be comfortable making the decision to get married early, and not sense that that’s not the norm anymore. Because, you know, Daphne’s the first in her group (who) went to Princeton, of her graduates to get married. So they were all at the wedding. You know she must have had like 12 or 14 bridesmaids. I lost track.

And so as they were all sitting around talking about this, I noticed that none of them

were married yet. It did, I think, make a lot of people comfortable over time to see that, you know, it’s a choice you make and you live with it. And some of her classmate won’t get married for another decade. Some of them will never get married, but I didn’t want her to have pressure either way. When she found the right person, pull the trigger and she doesn’t have to wait. There’s no benefit to that and there’s no penalty if does find the right person either.

I found the ideas of Dr. Oz interesting because he does not often refer to his daughters or wife on  his TV show. Nor does he speak much of specifics when it comes to giving fatherly advice.

I, Maija leave you with this Easter message:

Life is a lot like an Easter egg hunt.  We spend much of our lives trying to look for and locate the "golden" egg.  The egg(s) that will bring us good luck and fortune for the rest of our lives. 

Jack and the Beanstalk stole the hen that laid golden eggs from the giant.  He and his mother lived happily ever after.  So what if he sold his cow for the beanstalk beans.  At least he didn't sell his mother off.

But seriously, what I share with you is my own little nugget of wisdom. You will never ever be satisfied if you spend your whole life hunting for eggs, collecting as many as you can in your basket.  While doing so, you will likely end up cracking and damaging the eggs. Eggs are fragile. 

In the end, one's hunt for meaning in life comes down to this well known quote: Life is not about finding yourself. It is about creating yourself.

Create. Don't collect.

Day 34: Living Dr. Oz has it's good days and bad days....

Here is the scoop:  Living Dr. Oz has it's ups and downs. 

Eating healthy is the way to go but there are days where  the weather is dreary (e.g., here in Toronto, Canada it is cold, wet and rainy), when you are feeling frazzled or tired, when you miss plain old junk food....when you want to throw in the towel.

Today I have been craving something that is greasy, fatty, sugary......anything outside of a crisp, chilled juicy apple!

At work I don't have anything unhealthy so as you can guess, it has made me fantasize about something sweet or goopy (or .........fill in the blank with your choice of what's on your "no-eats" list) for most of the day.

Part of me wants to indugle over the next few days but I know that the Dr. Oz lifestyle is about thinking of ways to make it work for you.

So, what do I need to do to bring this back to being a positive experience?

Well, I will pick up some hummus and other low-fat tasty dips to enjoy my vegetable and fruit slices with, rather than eating them plain.  If I am sick of blueberries, then I need to try another fruit like kiwi to get me excited about good food choices again.  The fish recipe I make can be jazzed up with new types of fish, marinades and coating.

I will dig up the recipe book and go on the Dr. Oz website and choose some new meals rather than stick with the same old, same old which can get boring.

And I will follow the advice Dr. Oz gave yesterday when he made suggestions on how to lose those stubborn pounds and belly fat that creep up on you as you age: "If you don't love it, you won't do it". 

In otherwords, if I don't like doing an hour of regimented exercises to a DVD or on my own, then maybe I can do things such as tending to my soon to be new vegetable garden which would include many of the stretches, and strength training due to the physical labour of gardening.


Eat what you love. Choose an exercise that you enjoy.  Good health will follow.

DAy 33: BPA Bisphenol: Used in Plastics and Liners of Cans...Why Going BPA Free is Important

I am in the middle of reading this book. It is written by two Canadian environmental visonaries.  Here is a blurb from the Penguin Publisher's website:

Slow Death by Rubber Duck: How the Toxic Chemistry of Everyday Life Affects our Health

Author:

Rick Smith

&

Bruce Lourie

'Why don't we experiment on ourselves?'
When leading environmentalists Rick Smith and Bruce Lourie decided to tell the story of pollution in our modern world by using their own bodies as laboratories, they could not have known what they were about to discover.
They ingested and inhaled a host of things that surround us all the time, from mercury-laden tuna to flame-retardant chemicals in clothes and furniture, to toxins in plastics, toys, shampoos and deoderants.  The results of these experiments are both alarming and unexpected.
Slow Death by Rubber Duck exposes the extent to which we are being poisoned every day of our lives, both in our homes and our workplaces.  It tells the shocking story of corporate giants who manufacture these toxins, the government officials who let it happen and the effects on people across the globe.
Funny, thought-provoking and disturbing, Slow Death by Rubber Duck offers solutions for how we might be healthier, safer and more aware.  If you are concerned about the level of toxins in your body, care about the environment and want to understand the hidden threats already in your home, you must read this book.  You'll never look at a rubber duck in the same way again.
'This book is a powerful reminder that what we do to Mother Earth we directly do to ourselves.  Read it to see why we have to change the way we live and get off our destructive path.'  DAVID SUZUKI

In the Dr. Oz Show email newsletter which arrived in my inbox today, there is a piece about "Beating Bisphenol A (BPA)".  BPA has finally been labelled a toxin in Canada but in the USA it is still widely used in plastics and the liners of cans.  This chemical increases the risk of breast and prostrate cancer, obesity, infertility, diabetes and ADHD.  It is an endocrine disrupter alterning the hormones in our body.

BPA can be tested in your urine.  A recent study published in the journal of Environmental Health Perspective demonstrated that you can reduce your levels of BPA by not eating from canned products and by using a stainless steel water bottle. Getting rid of plastic food wrap, plastic dishes, baby sipper cups, plastic bottles, plastic cups and food containers and replacing them with glass or ceramic containers is also recommended.

Five San Franscisco families were served freshly prepared meals with minimal use of canned foods.  The 20 members of the families had their urine tested for BPA.  In 3 days, the BPA levels dropped by 66%.

I used to like the convenience of a grab and go plastic water bottle but I recently made the switch for all our family members in our household to stainless water bottles. 

Canada has outlawed BPA. That being said, I wouldn't be surprised if dollar stores or other stores have products floating around with BPA products. 

This is an excellent time of the year for spring cleaning our households to get rid of any items with BPA.

Be BPA Free!

Day 32: Getting Your Financial House In Order the Dr. Oz Way

In the "YOU: Being Beautiful" book, Dr. Oz has a chapter entitled, "The Worry War: Solve Your Most Troubling Job and Money Issues".  In his Real Age email newsletter he has a piece this week about finances and stress.  The higher your money woes, the more likely you have health problems.

Humans are wired to live for today and not for tomorrow.  That's where many of us fall into trouble because we want to gratify our present needs without realizing that some short-term pain can lead to long-term gain.

Some tips from Dr. Oz:

Every time you get paid, take 10 percent of the check and put it into an emergency account. Not for retirement, not for bills and not for an impulsive purchase.  That money can come in useful if your roof leaks, your car dies or you need another major expenditure.

Best way to avoid getting into serious debt or even bankruptcy is to treat your financial matters with the same respect and regard as your physical health. 

Have open and honest discussions about money with your significant other.  One of the top reasons couples split up is over money issues that build up. You need to have financial check-ins with each other every now and then about short and long term goals, emergency plans and financial strategies to keep your bank account and marriage intact.

Write down all your expenditures whether they are a few cents or many dollars over the course of the month to track your spending. After a month, review your financial diary and decide if there are some things you can do without or cut back on.

As a parent who is saving for my childrens' university, paying for braces and living the life of a busy family with typical expenditures from clothing to food to entertainment to household expenses, car maintenance and gas......I know first hand the realities of keeping things in balance.

  As a former single parent, I put off vacations abroad and house renos so I could concentrate on paying my mortgage down.  As part of a blended family, I still ask myself before I make a purchase, do I really need this or is this a whim "want" purchase. 

Perhaps I am an anomaly but my car serves strictly as transportation so I don't need to worry about status quo.  Luckily as a teacher, I don't need corporate attire on a daily basis and I brown bag.  I don't wear make up and I don't have my ears pierced nor am I a bling type of woman.

I do have my spending side too. I like to eat out twice a week to give myself a break from being a slave in the kitchen.  I treat myself to a few new fashion accessories or articles of clothing every season although I strive to find timeless pieces that will be around for awhile.

Financial style is like one's personal fashion style. It says a lot about one's personality, occupation and philosophy of life. 

There is no right or wrong way to managing one's finances.  If your credit line is growing exponentially and your assets are being whittled away, it's time to get credit counselling help.  If you can sleep at night without creditors at your doorstep and feel confident that you are meeting your financial goals, you are on the right track.

Practical ideas when put into action can bring you peace of mind which in turn reaps benefits for your overall health.

Day 31: Judgement Day

One month into my year of living Dr. Oz and here is the verdict. 

I went to the Mexx store in the Toronto Eaton Centre, tried on skirts and I can wear a Size 12 now. I was able to do up the zipper and button easily. But, my behind hung out like a toasted marshmallow that was overdone, hanging by it's marshmallow threads on a campfire stick.  So I still have some room to shrink over the next 11 months.

Now time to get real and spill the beans. Today before I tried on skirts I had lunch at Tim Horton's ( a doughnut chain in Canada, splurging on a chicken salad sandwich, coffee and maple doughnut). 

However, the past month, about 85% of the time I have eaten healthy.

My struggle is related to making a daily commitment to exercise outside of being on my feet during my day job. 

In the morning (no matter how much pre-planning and organizing I do the night before from laying out my work clothes to packing lunches and thinking through what I am going to brown bag for lunch.....) I am still rushing around, stressing out somewhat to get out the door.

At night, I catch up on whatever dishes have been left in the sink, start dinner, clean up after dinner and then it's time with the kids, marking and .....see I am making excuses.  We all have at least thirty minutes where we are staring off in space, watching TV, surfing the net or doing something sedentary where we can exchange one activity for another.

My goal for month two is to literally "schedule" exercise time five days a week. By pencilling it in, I am more likely to honour it.  A few colleagues at work do yoga during lunch hour.  They've invited me to join and thus far, I haven't.

Weight Watchers, a diet program that Dr. Oz supports as he often has Weight Watchers leaders and clients on his program, recommends putting aside time in your "planner" or to do list that includes daily physical activity.  Also finding an exercise or walking buddy helps stick to your goal.

Time to make exercise a priority. 

Day 30: Four Things Dr. Oz Can't Live Without

 Dr. Oz quizzed his audience last week on his program to see if they could guess what four things he can't live without. 

Here is his personal list:

1. Walnuts

2. Yoga Mat

3. Steel Cut Oatmeal

4. Compression Underwear

Walnuts are a great source of Omega 3 fatty acids. Dr. Oz suggests soaking them in water so that the walnuts soften up.  Omega 3 is great for keeping your brain, heart and skin healthy.  The Yoga Mat is to encourage exercising and stretching. Lower blood pressure helps reduce the risk of heart disease.  Steel Cut Oatmeal helps keep your cholesterol levels down.  Compression underwear helps circulate air, supports muscles and also generates heat so your muscles work harder when you exercise.

I invite my readers to post a comment and share their TOP FOUR  Healthy Things I"Can't Live" Without List.  It's your turn to share advice, be the expert and pass along any secrets you have that increase longevity and improve health.

Maija's Top Four List

1.  Omega 3  (See my blog entry for Day 17 "Go Fish" for info on the benefits of Omega 3)

2. Vitamin D (lots of research exploded on the health scene in 2008 regarding the correlation between Vitamin D and decreased rates of cancer)

3.  Silence (Dr. Oz reported in an issue of Oprah a few months back that excessive noise increases the risk of heart disease in women. Lots of people feel that they need the radio or TV on all the time, background noise. For some folks, it makes them feel less lonely. For others, it is habit.  Psychology research has shown that quiet moments every day help your brain rejuvenate, relax and your problem-solving, creativity and critical thinking skills improve if you have time without noisy distractions to think in peace)

4. Adequate Sleep (See my blog entry for Day 25: Why Having a Good Night's Sleep....)

I eagerly invite you the reader and fellow Dr. Ozzer to share your top four list for everyone. 

Let's discuss and discover what top four items are on your list to promote health.

Day 29: What Would YOU Do?

The piece below is taken from the ABC TV channel site about a new reality TV program, "What Would You Do?" It is on tonight (Friday April 15th at 9 p.m.).
 
Dr. Oz had the host of this new TV program on his program today.  Take a moment and read what I read when I googled the program info:
 
 
When people see a situation that cries out for action, do they step in, back away or just walk on by? Suppose you saw a friend's spouse cheating -- would you tell her? What if you saw a young girl being cruelly taunted by other girls - would you confront them? Using hidden cameras, ''Primetime: What Would You Do?'' sets up everyday scenarios and then captures people's reactions. Whether they're compelled to act or mind their own business, John Quinones reports on their split-second - and often surprising - decision-making process.
Scenarios include:

• Based on the real-life experiences of a devout Muslim woman living in west Texas, we find out what happens when a Muslim woman wearing a veil is denied service by the owner of a popular bakery. Who will come to her defense, and who will support the owner who wants to kick her out?
• Finding a parking space is a common inconvenience for many drivers, one that's often compounded when the only spot available is too small for the car. But what happens when ''Primetime's'' parker bulldozes her way in to the tight spot, hitting the car behind her? Does anyone intervene to prevent the damage?
• We all know adolescence can be tough and that teens can be cruel -- bullies even. But while ''bullying'' may be associated with boys, girls can be bullies too. Girls tend to assault their victims verbally, causing deeper, hidden wounds which can last longer than any playground punch. When ''Primetime'' creates a scenario where three girls verbally attack another girl in a park, what will people do when they walk by?
• Imagine being out to dinner one night when you notice a playful and flirtatious couple and, upon a closer look, notice that the man is your good friend's husband. The woman he's with is a complete stranger. Do you tell your friend?
• Boss with Bad Breath: Your boss has bad breath. Now you don't want to jeopardize your job- in fact you are trying to get ahead- but you can't take it anymore. What would you do?

''Primetime: What Would You Do?'' has won awards from the Chicago International Television Festival, as well as the Avon Foundation's 2006 Voice of Change Award for exposing ''injustice and wrongdoing against women, and bringing the message of domestic violence to the mainstream.'' According to a recent Columbia Journalism Review essay, ''Primetime: What Would You Do?'' is ''the flip side of reality TV... rather than show how people act in manufactured situations when they know they are being watched, they show us how people act when they don't.''

This reminds me of the adult board game Scruples which game out in the mid-eighties.  I remember playing it with pals in university. 

We have all been faced with real-life scenarios where we may be tempted to say something to a stranger, friend, colleague or family member but we keep our mouth shut. Or the opposite, we step in to a situation rather than "mind out own business".

Quinones tells the audience that most people don't intervene because they see it as the stranger's own, "personal or private family business".  He also says that if children grow up having their emotional needs met, they will demonstrate greater compassion, empathy and will stand up for others.

Emotional intelligence sets apart those who speak up for social justice versus those who are bystanders.

I tend to open my mouth more than keep it closed if I witness something disconcerting. Especially if I observe issue of inequity.  Or life or death.  I will offer first-aid if someone faints, falls or is injured. 

The situations where I struggle with are more the "grey" areas where social behaviour is concerned. 

Where one has to weigh out the pros and cons before speaking up.  Especially if the lines are bleary.

My advice is: trust your instinct.  Listen to your gut.  If your immediate response is to "jump in" then do so. If it is one of those delicate matters that is not life or death, listen to your heart.

Sitting on the sidelines or intervening.  Is one move better than the other? Or is it situation specific?

Day 28: Hummers or Smart Cars: What your Body Language Says About You

Good posture makes a signficant difference to how we breathe, whether or not we are pain free and our overall health.  Last night I went to the Ryerson University student Fashion show, Wanderlust, put on by Fashion Design students.  I was watching the male and female student volunteer models on the runway and it was interesting to see the difference in one's carriage depending on whether or not, the model held their head up high, walked with their back straight, looked straight ahead and walked briskly with their hands side to side.

All of the student evening wear designs for men and women were inventive and original.  The models who walked with the best posture really helped show off the creation they were wearing. 

 An aura of confidence is conveyed when someone walks with their head high, back straight, shoulders up and eyes forward.

Dr. Oz has a blog and on Jan. 11th, 2011, he compares the body language of men and women. Great analogy of how most men and women carry themselves on the street.  Men would be hummers and women would be smart cars. Women slope and show more timid bodily gestures as compared to men, who walk boldly. 

Dr. Oz says that changing our body language/posture can change our mood. 

So for all of you out there: Let's try an experiment. For the next 24 hours, walk with your head up high, back straight, shoulders up and arms swinging gracefully. Take proud steps and breathe deeply.  Smile. Sit straight rather than contorted. 

Let's see if our mood really is affected.

Today I have had one of those "hectic" days with students pulling at my dress hem with various needs, my own children sick or with their own woes while I am juggling a social engagement tonight with colleagues and the weekly big grocery shop.

I am feeling tired and not overly sociable.

I am right now going to sit up straight, hold my head high and then walk out with a healthy, brisk, model stride and a smile on my face.

Will this change as Dr. OZ suggests, make me go from feeling worn out to wonderful?

I will let you know at the end of the day tomorrow.  Here is to the next 24 hours of good posture and positive body language. 

And as I am planning to vote for the Green party this coming Ontario provincial election, my body posture will be eco friendly.

Hybrid of course!

Day 27: The Monthly Check In is Approaching....

On April 17th I am off to the Mexx store to try on skirts. It will be one month since I officially began living Dr. Oz.  Will I be a dress size smaller?  Have I improved my health?

I've been eating well.

I haven't been exercising regularly other than the bending, walking and stretching I do on my job as a teacher. When I came down with my chest cold a few weeks ago, I was so fatigued by the end of the day I gave up on doing the Dr. Oz work-outs. 

How has my cycling been going? 

My husband says my bike is like a piece of art. I haven't ridden it more than twice because I was battling my cold and had a hard time breathing as I was coughing so much.

I have to dust off my new bike, insert the Dr. Oz workout DVD and get my pedometer back on my hip.

Enough excuses.  The antibiotics worked, I am not coughing very much and I am back to my new/improved self.

I am getting stressed about my self-imposed monthly "skirt-in" (as opposed to weigh in).

 Although I have lost five lbs (I've kept it off despite not upping my fitness levels this past month), I am not sure I have lost inches.

How stressed are you? How do you tell if you are burnt out versus stressed out?

Dr. Oz has a stress test you can take on his Dr. Oz website.  On Monday's show he had a cardiologist as a guest who measured the stress levels of Dr. Oz and some of the audience members prior to the show taping.  Getting stuck in traffic, trying to fit everything in during the course of the day.....can elevate our stress levels. 

Even Dr. Oz became stressed at certain points throughout his day when he wore the measurement device.

The cardiologist said that a man's blood pressure goes down when he arrives home and gets in the door. A woman's blood pressure goes up. She is on her second shift. 

Burn out, is it the same as being stressed out.?

The difference is that when you are burnt out, your feelings of exhaustion, tension and anxiety are chronic and don't disappear.

Another specialist told the audience that it is important to differentiate to your physician how long you have had stress symptoms and how debilitating stress is on your health since the treatment will vary. 

Most of a woman's stress according to Dr. Oz's guest is relationship stress.

Women have an emotional reaction to stress whereas men have a physical reaction.

A cup of tea, massage, twenty minute walk, yoga class, break from cooking or house work or a weekend getaway can cure that everyday stress one experiences.

 The chronic stress that builds and takes a long-term toll on our emotional and physical health often requires intervention and sometimes medication. 

Cortisol levels goes up when one encounters everyday stress. 

The opposite happens when you are burnt out, the level of cortisol goes down.  A simple saliva test can determine your level of cortisol in your body if you are worried you are on the verge of burn-out.

More about burn out in a future post.