Sleep is good

Amazing what happens when you get 7 hours of sleep! Yesterday felt very blah just as described in my last entry but today even though I was on call and slept in a call room last night, getting 7 hours feels awesome. I feel energized physically and emotionally and headed home ready to plan some productive and some fun things like planning a Xmas party, sending out some emails, working on some things, going to the beach, working out. I keep thinking of what Dr. Oz says were the four keys to changing one’s behavior to reduce stress eating 

1) Don’t drink in calories – get rid of sugary drinks, juices, milk, it strikes me that the reason I drink juices are that they are easy and cold, one thing worth looking into is an easy cold drink I can make at home. I think having ice readily available (auto ice maker) and something with milk, honey and lime would be excellent if I can make it

2) Sleep! – Ozgur sleeps 7-7.5 hrs a night and if he can do it and still be the Vice  Chair of an academic surgery department, researcher, teacher, surgeon and have his own prime time show and have time to read to his family, what excuse do I have?

3) Keep moving – US Preventative task force recommends 150min of activity per week (half hour a day) – I think for compliance purposes I am going to try for daily activity just in the same way once daily dosing is more effective than any other regimen for drugs

4) Stress buddy – I find that even thinking about Jane before I make bad behavior choices is great, I can hear her voice “don’t do it bear! Its bad for you!” and it replaces the empty calories with a smile