Water your kidneys.
The way I think about healthy ways to add hydration to your day is not only to help you stay on top of your kidney water exchange game, and getting rid of all the waste from your body, but also to have a very pleasurable (meditative?) experience while doing so.
Motivation-meditation-transformation.
Podcast guest Libby Lykins - PA, author and creator - talks about what motivates her, how she finds inspiration in meditative spaces, but also exercise, diet and …. karate.
Review of meditation apps.
I review meditation apps here, from Oak to Headspace. Meditation app with LeBron James, why not?
Nutrition for your brain.
Cruciferous vegetables benefits (e.g. broccoli, cabbage, bok choy) may be related to rich content of vitamin C, K, folic acid, minerals such as magnesium, manganese and then phytonutrients with their anti-inflammatory properties. Find out more in this audio Brain Series part 5.
Gardening as a tool of relaxation.
Audio on meditative quality of gardening. The best time to start your garden is - now!
Elizabeth Goldberg, MD on fall prevention.
What to do to prevent falls? There is a growing body of fascinating research out there, some with use of fancy electronic devices. On that and other falls-related issues, like healthy brain and senses, I talk with Brown University ED physician Liz Goldberg, MD who also co-created Covid risk calculation app.
Pandemic talk with like-minded clinicians.
Listen to this 30 minutes talk that reinforced my idea that we are in it together, and if we surround ourselves with like-minded, kind individuals we will make it through tough time, perhaps even stronger, or at least more resourceful. We observe the innovation and creative thinking that has a tremendous role in our fight with deadly virus.
Act beyond words.
How can we do better than words and prayers to advance social justice? I would start with listening. This is what provoked me to sit down with Tony Galvao who is the President of charitable organization near Boston that helps youth in need. We talk about what young people really want and how to use that energy to provide them with wider choices and bright future. We talk how to inspire the current youth to change and how art can be a source of healing.
Get moving Rhode Island!
Pandemic made us all adjust how we practice medicine, seek medical work up, diagnostics and treatment. There is less surgeries and knee replacements. Folks are skipping dental clearance and mammographies. But we need to get back to caring for our health, we need to keep moving. Sedentary lifestyle is one of major determinants of health and can negatively impact longevity and life quality. Dr. Nula from Elite PT in Rhode Island talks with me about options of PT, in office safe visits, remote and in-home treatment options. Listen to this less than 9 minutes informative interview and get moving!
Yoga instructor Carin thinks we all have talent.
In this 15 minutes-plus talk with Carin Trainer, yoga teacher and naturopath with office on Cape Cod, (see one of links below) I capture the essence of this great instructor and gentle human who enjoys all her students and thinks that we are not clumsy or injured, but seeking, beautiful and improving. I do not think this is incidental that I ran into her class some years ago while vacationing on Cape, but with the blossoming of remote yoga options I can continue practicing with Carin from wherever I am located, granted that I have proper internet access and some decent viewing device, at least iPad. I learnt that for yoga-remote one needs good size computer or laptop screen and comfortable space for mat as yoga poses require a bit of real estate around you. The remote yoga workshops gave me an idea that I need my prompts: bolster cannot be easily replaced by pillow, I need belt and yoga blocks for the best possible experience of that practice.
Michael Putnam reads medical literature with me.
Dr. Putnam has a podcast EBRheum.com where he concentrates on literature review relevant to rheumatology. He recently gave talk on how to review literature for American College of Rheumatology 2020 all virtual annual meeting. It is then that I invited him to talk to me about lessons I learned based on his speech, but also to review osteoarthritis treatment trial with use of prednisolone (steroid) that was named HOPE and was released in 2019 by Lancet publications.
Meditation, episode no.1
Meditate with Doc Off Clock…but really? I explore ways to enter this side of self that provides for comfort and ease of life.
Author of new book “Reflections on Transcendence” Libby Lykins.
The interview of author and clinician (Libby) who just released her book Reflections on Transcendence with images of Cape Cod artist Steve Lyons. I interviewed both of them for this website in past. I hope to inspire those that search for beauty and reflection.
Supplements to boost your immunity?
What I do is eat plenty of fresh fruit (vitamins C)and vegetables that have easily absorbable vitamins and minerals if you introduce that as part of your meal planning strategy. In cold and scratchy throat season I use herbal teas with turmeric and ginger, both anti-inflammatory. I make my own teas from these spices. While I do use supplements in my diet, mostly vitamins D with Calcium, as I do not consume enough of milk and dairy to have proper amount to augment and maintain my bone and muscle cells, I do try as best as I can to get most of my vitamins and minerals from food sources, that is why we always have greek yogurt in the fridge.
Meditation series, podcast. Stay tuned for first episodes!
Learn, Listen and Meditate with DocOffClock. Find ways and times that you discover space for taking care of your health, your meditative, balanced mind that does not require any extra room in your house, fancy gadget or expensive app.
Fellowship interviews - remote edit.
In this short video I talk about my interview experience in 2020. The year when we do so many things differently….adjustment or innovations? The same can be said about job interviews. I recorded this short clip with no interviewees in as my reflection on the day of the rheumatology fellows candidates interview. Also on these blog pages you will find post on remote interview with tips how to make sure it goes well for you and your guests. You will find it in section Moments published October 19th 2020.
Physical therapy in time of pandemic, Dr. Nula tells all.
My full conversation with Dr. Nula, PT in Rhode Island @Elite Physical Therapy Offices is presented without edits in video below. While I published abbreviated version previously this full talk addresses much more: we talk about health integration, benefits of therapy on musculoskeletal and rheumatology health, relations that we establish with therapists and the therapists with their patients. We address issue of Telehealth that is being utilized in physical therapy as well, and how we wish that this technology helping patients to stay connected and treated is here to stay. I mention that Telehealth is in my opinion an equalizer that bridges health access for patients with various disorders and Dr. Nula talks about that as well. In this time of multitude of social justice discussions it is important we bring that aspect of care to the table as well. Change in policies should follow so Telehealth is not a nuisance, but part of treatment and management strategies for years to come.
Photo from Elite Physical Therapy Website.
Rebecca Shanahan, dress designs.
I listed my interview with artist and dress designer Rebecca under Moments as her dresses and designs remind me of summer. In our 15 minutes interview we talk about art, healthy lifestyle, but also time of pandemic and how we all cope with this unprecedented and difficult time. Uplifting and positive Rebecca reminds us that we need to build strength and resilience and showcase that to our kids. We talk about swimming with your family, perhaps RebeccaJean mask designs and much more. Watch and enjoy!
Legacy of George Floyd
For my full interview with social activist and associate professor of trauma and surgery at University of Chicago, Dr. Williams - press the button. I thought that the sign of time that this interview to be posted in Moments, the section of my blog dedicated to what is current, up to date, at times difficult, but what we need to talk about and be aware of. Watch a section, watch it all, I think that any part of the conversation may bud a curiosity in you to learn more about Black Americans, diversity, social justice and even pandemic. I remain grateful that Brian is a friend and colleague who (despite very busy calendar) wants to share his perspective, vulnerability and talk openly about matters that need to be brought to surface and addressed.
Libby Lykins, PA talks about Magnificent Metamorphosis.
I met Libby through our mutual friend Steve Lyons, the Cape Cod artist that I interviewed for these pages in spring. Libby is a woman who wears many hats - she is a practicing clinician, editor, author and transformation enthusiast who wants to reach broader audience with her Magnificent Metamorphosis Magazine, see link to blog I wrote about it 2 weeks ago. I sat down to talk to Libby about her passion in this 18 minute video, hope you enjoy.
Do you think of change, balance or transformation? Do you need minute for yourself, or perhaps you have strength to help and listen to others? Perhaps you are ready for Metamorphosis..
Follow the journey.
