Acceptance and February Favorites
According to the groundhog on Groundhog’s Day this year, we will have six more weeks of winter. That’s really not so bad considering that puts us only into the middle of March. I can handle that! Last weekend was a lot of fun - outside family movie night, lots of laughing and fun, beautiful weather. Saturday was full of soccer and errands and then…..I did something seriously (stupid?) and possibly broke my foot. It’s been a whirlwind of emotions since then ranging from “how in the world can I take care of my family right now” to “I should accept this for what it is and use this time for rest and slowing down (but how?)”.
Acceptance. What is it really? I know what it is not. It’s not complacency, it’s not settling, it’s not not standing up for yourself. It’s easy to face moments of stress with resistance, but at some point the only way to move forward is by practicing acceptance. As Eckhart Tolle says - for now, this is what this situation, this moment, requires me to do, and so I do it willingly. In my case, keep putting one foot in front of the other instead of dwelling on it in my mind.
This learning naturally has spilled into another area of my life that I have been fighting. Today, I am practicing accepting this broken foot situation without resentment or complaining - let’s see how it goes!.
What I am loving this month:
I can not say enough good things about magnesium. I also think a good night’s sleep is one of the best things what we can do for our health and energy. This nightly magnesium makes me feel relaxed and leaves me always waking up refreshed. Without a doubt, I can tell when I didn’t take it as my sleep quality is a more disrupted. This is my favorite magnesium supplement and you can get 15% off with code: PHARMACISTSGUIDE
Oxytocin candles: This new scent may be my favorite of Tiffany Moon’s aroma-sthesia candles (she’s an anesthesiologist!). With passionflower, pear and lychee, it’s fresh, fruity and energizing. I love it!! For the record, I had to have this drug during labor three times - sometimes we all need an extra little push. Use code PHARM for 20% off.
I re-read this book whenever I need to elevate my mindset. As quoted above about acceptance, Eckhart Tolle has such powerful insights into our psyche and how we relate to the world around us. Another book that I want to pick up is Morgan Harper Nichol’s newest book, Peace is a Practice. Her words are always deep and uplifting. I read a chapter or two every weekend to ground me for the week ahead.
January was focused on healthy eating for me and I’ve carried a lot of those practices forward (from Whole 30). I can tell now just how yucky my body feels after sugar, which is in everything! Michelle Tam is a former pharmacist and creator of the successful food blog Nomnompaleo. Her latest cookbook has been a god-send as I navigate whole food living!
I am late to the podcast game as my preferred medium of consuming information is still through reading. However, I find this podcast so uplifting when it comes to mental health. Whether you are working on mindfulness, learning about an entrepreneur mindset or working through some other mental block - I have found Jay Shetty’s podcast uplifting, helpful and a nice change when I am sick of hearing the same song over and over on the radio.
What better to use during the heart-centered month of February than a rose scented moisturizer. Rose is filled with antioxidants which work to neutralize free radicals on your skin (you know, that process that contributes to aging!). Rose also has anti-inflammatory properties that combat redness and is a great moisturizer that protects our skin from moisture loss and keeps the skin barrier strong. Most of the products now are light, airy and fresh (instead of that heavy rose smell from years past). Here is one of my favorites!
Lastly, it’s American Heart Month, and one of the best things we can do for our heart health is manage our blood pressure. I encourage you to get your annual checkup if you have not (I know COVID seriously backed up these appointments!). If you are taking medication, don’t stop. There are also lifestyle steps we can take. Eat a healthy diet high in vegetables, fruit and lean meats (and limit salt and sugar!). Exercise moderately for 30 minutes 5 days a week. Stop smoking (talk to your health care provider if you need help - we have good tools!). And as always, prioritize sleep by getting to bed at a good time, limiting your screen time before bed and keeping your room cool and dark (it’s good to set up a little ritual too!).