1. Do you believe in past lives? I didn’t either until Dr. Brian Weiss, a psychiatrist educated at Columbia University and Yale Medical School, taught me about the possibility. He didn’t believe in anything so woo woo until one of his patients started talking, under hypnosis, about her traumas in her past life that were creating anxiety in her current life. I’m so curious that I’m going to one of Dr. Weiss’ workshops later this month.
  2. Acupuncture has helped me with many issues. It’s helped to improve my blood flow post op, and you need excellent circulation for healing to occur. I’ve used acupuncture for my tweaky low back (long story, but I’m stiff and have sacroiliac hypermobility, tight hip flexors, and let’s just say my quadratus lumborum has a tendency to spasm), PMS, fluid retention. Some of you have asked about my acupuncturist—her name is Emily Hooker, and she is impeccable! Licensed Acupuncturist and Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine with a specialization in integrative therapies for hormone management and orthopedic medicine. Just the combo we all need after age 40! Read more about her right here, and if you’re in town, book an appointment. She’s worth a tr ip!
  3. I’m now 3 weeks post op and can do so many things! Wash my hair! Open the refrigerator! Reach up and get a glass out of the cabinet to fill it with water! If you don’t know about my recent surgery, read my Facebook post this week where I went public about the mastectomies, including my raw but very relieved selfie in the hospital.
  4. The science of transformation. I’m obsessed with what happens to the brain during spiritual experiences and enlightenment. A physician named Andrew Newberg coined the term “neurotheology” to describe the topic. Here’s an interview on NPR’s Talk of the Nation, describing a study of praying nuns that may be my favorite of all time, where he showed that while the Franciscan nuns performed centering prayer, their parietal lobes (the seat of your sense of self) went dark. What?! The nuns become selfless, as measured on brain scans during the prayer. Newberg is taking up a ton of real estate on my nightstand, so I’ll share the books in a few weeks if they’re transformative.
  5. Are you satisfied with your sex life? If not, do something about it. Having satisfying sex adds 8 years to your healthspan. Owning a dog adds 10 years, and while pet ownerships may seem easier, why not both?
  6. Quote about resistance. What is needed, rather than running away or controlling or suppressing or any other resistance, is understanding fear; that means, watch it, learn about it, come directly into contact with it. We are to learn more about fear, not how to escape from it. – Krishnamurti
  7. Remember to sleep on your side. Improves glymphatic shampoo in the brain that removes toxins and debris (either side), and stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system via the vagus nerve (right side).

Make it an awesome weekend!

XO Dr. Sara