Spend a While with Dr. Weil

My mother, a die hard fan, and I recently saw Dr. Weil speak at George Washington University.  Dr. Weil has been part of my life for years.  Growing up alternative medicine books were referred to often.  And usually the front covers of those books were graced by a man that looked like Santa Claus.   

In the past few years I have developed my own relationship with the famous integrative medicine doctor.  I started by picking up my mother's prized personal signed copy of 8 Weeks to Optimum Health.  Two chapters in and I knew I needed my own copy, one in which I could highlight and mark in freely. 

While visiting his website (askdrweil.com) one day I noticed that he was going to be in the DC area to receive an award.  I quickly called my mom to let her know.  I should have known that she had known this information months ago and had already purchased two tickets for us to go. 

After receiving his award at the Listener Auditorium, Dr. Weil participated in an interview with Kathleen Mathews and then a Q&A with the audience.  In the first part of the interview Dr. Weil spoke about Okinawa and bitter melon.  As soon as he mentioned this infamous melon I started to get excited.  For the previous three weeks Young, my Tao teacher, had been making us bitter melon.  It was a vegetable I tried to love, but oh..the bitterness!!  Dr. Weil explained about the amazing Okinawa culture, and their respect for the old, but most importantly, the process of becoming old.  He also spoke of the importance of Bitter Melon in their diet.  The melon lowers blood sugar levels, is an anti- Alzheimer's, anti-cancer and lowers blood pressure. 

He talked about the importance of the five element theory and using it your diet.  No offence, but duh.  The more (natural) color on a plate is a good thing.  But for those baby boomers out there who grew up with TV dinners, this might be a new concept. 

Things he said that are good for everybody include:

Vitamin E & D, 1000mg a day taken with fats



Asian mushrooms (wood ear, shitake...)



Ginseng, I know this is a hard one for me to start incorporating in my diet, but it's doable mixed with tea.  I'm not ready for ginseng tea straight yet, but maybe one day.   



Physical activity.  Walking is the best!  45min a day 5x a week. 



Laughter.  You know in India they have laughter yoga?  I think we should start a laughter group.  It's a good thing. 



Breathing.  Yeah, yeah, we have to breathe but do we breathe efficiently?  Breathing can control your mood, helping with anxiety and panic disorders.  Breathing should be slow, deep, quiet, and regular. 



Sleep.  Another obvious thing one must do, but how often do you sleep really well?  Dr. Weil suggests that everyone should sleep in COMPLETE darkness.  Absolutely no light should be penetrating the room.  If you have to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night, he suggests you do this in the dark as well.  Good luck! 



News Fast.  Turn off that BBC World News and that evening edition for a week.  You feel better?  A little less angry at the world?  A little less anxious?



Daydreaming can be constructive.  Imagination and short cognitive vacations can be helpful. 



Meditating.  Sit down, relax, and breathe. 

If you think any of these ideas are a good idea, he has so many more in his books.  If you have not picked up one, please do, I promise you will get something out of it.  He writes for people on all levels and educational backgrounds.  My only complaint is his love of Alaskan Salmon and fish oil.  If only I could turn him vegetarian!!