Archive for the ‘Health’ Category

Am I Crazy?!?

Wednesday, June 16th, 2010

Okay, I basically set myself up, by choosing that as my title. I am a ‘lil crazy folks and that’s why you love me. All kidding aside, I would like to address an issue that seems to be shunned by doctors and nearly obsolete on the internet, save some personal testimonials: SIDE EFFECTS OF GETTING OFF BIRTH CONTROL.

Oh yeah, sure, there are loads of tidbits about what you will feel when you first get on it. (Although, they don’t always tell you that depression, anxiety, potassium build-up that can cause chronic gall bladder disease, weight gain, clots, tumors, insomnia and headaches can occur.) Some of us are lucky not to have that happen, but as in life, the aftermath is the catch-22.

Even your gyno doesn’t, always, give you the low-down on what can happen as a result of adding and taking away the increase in hormones. As with ANY drug use, if you continually add something, your body stops making it, itself, so when you stop using the drug i.e. the pill, your body will have to readjust and re-learn to make the hormones.

It may not be as dramatic for everyone who gets off, but if you’re unfortunate enough to be more sensitive, like me, then you definitely feel like you are spiraling out of control.

As with anything, it’s much easier to handle difficulty if it’s addressed and you logically know why your emotions are so raw, because you know it will pass. But many, of us, don’t have anyone to tell us that it happens and medical tests may show all things to be “fine,” when it’s not totally.

There is a reason. Withdrawal is real. It’s sad, because most women tend to blame themselves, and just feel out of control and crazy. Their relationships and work may suffer, because they can just be deemed as “psycho” and not the same person they used to be, as if they consciously chose to change.

There are things you can do to help yourself deal as your body learns to make hormones again.

1. Increased the amount of cardio to 30 minutes a day.

2. Drink Yogi St. John’s Wort Blues Away Tea.

3. Do Yoga. It really helps balance your system and reduce stress. There are many types. Try them out and see which you like. Anusara or Bikram have been popular choices in my group.

4. Smooth Shaper skin treatments. I see Lynn featured on \"Doctors\" at Per Amore in Beverly Hills. That bloating and major hormone shift gave me major cellulite. You don’t necessarily need to be overweight or older to have cellulite. It’s on the skin level where this occurs not where lipo is traditionally done. Click on the name to learn more and see pics of before and after. I’m too shy to share that!

5. A more, natural and balanced diet, complete with vitamins. 5-HTP
is one vitamin that is not as well-known. it can aid in better sleep and higher serotonin levels a.k.a. the “happy” juice.

6. Major water drinking. Dehydration just exacerbates bloating and cellulite.

I read today that Arbonne has Arbonne Prolief Natural Balancing Cream that helps. I haven’t tried it, myself, but I’m gonna!

So, am I crazy? Crazy is harsh. We’ll call it “under duress.” You will be ok. A year off the pill after being on it for 13 years, I am feeling like I have more control, because I found ways to help myself during the transition. But until you know it’s real, you can’t address it.

Click here for a link to the best thread I could find with testimonials from women and their experiences getting off of different birth control.

Remember, our body changes every seven years. So even though, you were, once, able to handle it, it is not abnormal that you can’t anymore. Some people get food allergies or can’t handle caffeine as time goes on. It’s natural. Don’t be afraid to make the call, when your body is screaming at you to stop certain things, even if your doctor makes light of it.

Holiday Hangover

Sunday, December 27th, 2009

The HangoverThe Hangover is, quite, possibliy, this Holiday season’s greatest at-home movie watch. It’s sooo funny. It’s nice to get all cozy on the couch and laugh. Just a recommendation.

But now, it’s Sunday after the Holiday week, and my brain is completely mush and I, still, feel hungover from all the family and festivities. But, yet, I still try to mull over in my mind, what it is that I can do to snap out of Holiday snooze mode and kick back up into high gear, in time to welcome the New Year with a BIG “HURRAH!”, all the while, remembering that it’s okay to step back and decompress from the year. Just simply rambling!

Pity, we, only, get a week to work on this mindset and we have to do our normal duties on top of it. But it’s possible! I believe we can, both, let our physical bodies rest and polish up the brains and insides with some reading.

I don’t care what anyone says, but I am a big fan of reading self-help books with a leave-in conditioner in my hair or a mask on my face. It’s the best way to talk it out with yourself, without a therapist, who isn’t with you 24/7, and without subjecting your friends to a never-ending, re-hashing of the same events. I’ll share with you some things that help me in the next posts.

Pamper time! Maybe, what I find helpful, can help you gear up for the new decade!

A, B, C, D, elemeno Zinc

Wednesday, October 7th, 2009

vitaminsIt starts from the inside. Healthy organs mean a healthy body, which radiates in our hair and skin.

Taking a multi-vitamin is a good way to ensure that you make up for what you might have missed in your diet. (Eating seaweed, I heard, helps you have hot hair.) But here’s a quick summary on the ones that are good for our hair, skin and nails!

Omega-3’s really help your hair and nails grow thicker, faster and shinier.

Vitamin D and Vitamin E are great for your skin.

Now (Ladies only) if you’re really, trying to grow your hair out fast as possible, take the Prenatal Vitamins. Folic acid is great for you, in general. (Yes, you can take it, even if you’re not trying to get pregnant.)

A Side Note: I’ve been really benefiting from taking probiotics. With the years adding up, it’s been harder to digest certain foods and I’ve even gotten allergic to some of my favorite vegetables, but taking this makes me feel closer to “normal.”

Breathe In… Breathe Out…

Thursday, October 1st, 2009

Sachie meditatingTaking moments to compose ourselves and have quiet time throughout the day can really calm our nerves–perhaps, that is part of the allure of “cigarette” breaks. But that’s definitely not good for you!

I had underestimated the healing power of stretching and breathing but have a new appreciation of it.

Too much stress not only affects your health, but your hair too. Alopecia can occur, thinning of the cuticle, dullness, etc. (If all else fails, tap into our Vanity, right? Works for me.)Sachie pose
Since, I quit smoking-thank you again Vanity- and am too much of a spaz, I need an activity to help me concentrate on my breath.

Enter Yoga–Sachie's Yoga Pose I’m not talking about yoga where “My Cobra pose looks better than yours” occurs, but the nice, gentle, healing one. I take private lessons on Anusara Yoga with Sachie. I was hit in a car accident, two years ago, head-on, by a speeding drunk driver and developed a limp from being out of alignment. Sachie takes her time to know my trouble areas and encourages me to work at my own pace. Phew! No more gangsta lean for me. Bring on the Laboutins!

Moral of the story: Breathing & Excercise Gives You Great Hair and Health. Yay!
Sachie teaches Monday and Wednesday NIGHTS at City Yoga, Tuesday and Thursday DAYS at Urth Yoga. Contact me if you’d like her info for private lessons! Yes, it’s her in the pics.