From the Inside Out

According to an article in Psychology Today, “work hours in the U.S. have increased by more than 12 percent in the past three decades, and the average American is allotted a paltry 9.6 days of vacation per year. Incredibly, many of us don’t even take full advantage of this slim window: Travel industry data indicate that about 15 percent of vacation days in the U.S. go unused.”

The demands of our jobs often take priority over family and play time. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been on a conference call or exchanged emails with someone who was “on vacation.” With mobile devices, smart phones and anytime, anywhere access to the Internet, working vacations are becoming a way of life. However, we pay a stiff price for the lack of quality downtime. A nine-year study conducted by Brooks Gump, an associate professor of psychology at the SUNY, reports that “men who skipped vacation for five consecutive years were 30 percent more likely to suffer heart attacks than those who took at least one week’s annual leave. Even skipping one year’s vacation was associated with an elevated risk of heart disease.”

While they can’t fully explain this phenomenon, the research clearly shows that an escape from stress and the demands of everyday worries for only a few days can have unbelievable results. These thoughts are in my mind as I prepare to get away for an extended weekend. It’s been a stressful time at work, and it’s only going to get worse over the next 4 months.

I seriously need this vacation. So with my “heart health” in mind, I’m going to leave the stress behind, shut off the smart phone (well, most of the time), and relax.

Vacation…it does a body good!

I must confess that my workouts have been non-existent over the last few months. I haven’t been to the gym or on the bike for longer than I’d like to admit. Even my “at home” workouts have suffered lately; it’s the result of having too many things loaded on my plate. I’d like to get back on a regular workout schedule now that Pirates of Patmos is over. I’m not sure if I can stick to it since SNL is quickly approaching, but I’m going to try. Maybe I need a workout partner to keep me motivated and force me to go even when I don’t feel like it. Do I have any volunteers?

Yesterday we hopped on our bikes for an evening ride. It felt great to be back out there (except when I had to climb hills, that didn’t feel so good). We rode to the new Watter’s Crossing area on Bethany in Allen — about 14 miles round trip. For the most part, it’s an easy ride using the bike trails that start near our house. We even got to see some wild life on the way. Okay, it was one armadillo and a few bunnies, but when you live in the city, that’s cool.

I’m hoping we can make the ride a regular weekend occurrence. I’d love to participate in the “Hotter than Hell” ride in Wichita Falls, but that may be too much for my first organized ride. Then again, they say to “dream big.” Hmm…maybe I will make it into the “Hotter than Hell” this year after all.

Anyway, I’m off to California this week. Travel wreaks havoc on your exercise plans, but my hotel has an adequate workout facility. I’m thinking I can get spend some time on the machines this week. I got a decent workout when I was out there a couple of weeks ago. Wish me luck!

I’ll be back on Friday. Have a good week everyone.

Remember the days when you didn’t want to go to school so you tried to convince your parents that you were sick? Well, it didn’t work for me too often.  For the most part, my parents weren’t going to let me stay home unless I was running a fever.

Maybe that’s why a fever is still my official gauge of how sick I am. If I’m not running a fever, I’m working. Even then, it doesn’t always stop me…especially now that I work from home.

Today was one of those miserable days. I felt horrible, but forced myself to work anyway. That’s why tonight’s blog is dedicated to the “Top 5 Reasons I’d Rather Be Working than Laying at Home Sick”:

5. Hourly conference calls — way more entertaining than watching soap operas and lawyer commercials.

4. The constant stream of IM conversations throughout the day is just so energizing.

3. Gotta save those PTO days for something fun.

2. Sleeping late and getting enough rest is just so overrated.

…and the number one reason is:

1. I can take advantage of that computer monitor radiation and work on my tan.

It has been well documented that eating right can help you lose weight and enhance your health, but does it also boost your mood and ease depression? That’s what respected nutritionist and author, Dr. Susan Keiner, suggests.

Dr. Kleiner’s book, The Good Mood Diet, offers tips for eating to feel good. For example, did you know that:

• Milk raises serotonin levels, helping you relax
• Broccoli and blueberries can increase energy and happy feelings
• Turkey reduces anxiety
• Regular intake of fish oils can lower anger in aggressive adults (no more anger management courses required)
• Egg yolks are high in a substance that enables nutrients into the brain and toxins out of the body
• Bananas reduce blood pressure

 By simply changing how you eat, you can improve your energy level, attitude and mood. Eating the right foods can even impact how you handle stress.

In my own life, this rings true. When I am eating healthy, I have more energy and my digestion issues cease. When I fall back into the dark pit eating junk food and fast food, the issues return — almost immediately. By simply watching what I eat, I can significantly impact my health — and my mood. Amazing, huh?

Never before has the saying been more true…you are what you eat.  I wish I had realized this truth a few years ago.

Tonight one of our most faithful actors didn’t show up for rehearsal. He’s never late. In fact, we can always count on him to be there rain or shine.

We should have known instantly that something was terribly wrong when he didn’t arrive on time. Instead, we just assumed he was running late — until we got the call. He had been involved in an accident on his way to the rehearsal.

Steve is the proud owner of a new motorcycle, and through no fault of his own, he was caught in the danger zone tonight. Steve stopped at an intersection, and shortly thereafter two cars collided. Upon impact, one of the cars began to spin out of control. It hit Steve. He was rushed immediately to the emergency room.

After rehearsal, we dropped by the hospital to check on him. Thankfully, he is going to be all right, but he didn’t get out completely unscathed. His right shoulder is broken; there are multiple fractures. When we were there, the doctors weren’t certain what the next steps would be. His shoulder may require surgery, so please keep him in your prayers. We are hoping for a speedy recovery.