Dr. Deb

My friend, Mike, is a great guy. Knows everyone, goes out of his way to do nice things, but Mike HATES doctors. I mean he really hates doctors. He hates waiting in the office, wearing that silly gown, talking to the doctor and certainly doesn’ t want to hear any recommendations that the doctor may have.

When Mike started having balance problems while running, the last thing that he wanted to do was go see a doctor. He HATES them. I am sure that he was also afraid that it might be something serious. And it was. Mike was diagnosed with MS in his 20s. This was not supposed to happen. But because Mike saw the doctor and received the proper medication, he has had little symptoms of MS and has continued to lead a productive and healthy life for almost 15 years.

Many men feel the same way Mike does about doctors. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, 55 percent of men hadn’t had a checkup in the last year and 29 percent said they wait “as long as possible” to get help when they were sick.

(more…)

Holiday Stress Remedies

This is the year that I have finally accepted, despite my best-laid plans; things are going to go wrong. I will not have all my shopping done early. I will eat too much of the wrong thing. I will feel a bit melancholy or blue for no reason at all. You know what, that’s OK. It happens every year… but the difference is that this year, I am not going to beat myself up about! I am going to keep moving, move on and savor all of the imperfections of this holiday season.

Here is my 2009, Dr. Deb prescription for a healthier, happier less stressed holiday.

5 Holiday Stress Remedies

1.Make your List and check it twice.

(more…)

Alright, everyone in the car!” This is my daily battle cry. Unfortunately, many days there are too many battles (“No, I don’t know where your soccer ball is!  Did you forget your saxophone? What is that car funk smell? What do you mean, you don’t have shoes on?”) and way too much crying before we ever get out the driveway. Many of us feel stress, but how much of our stress is felt by our children?

A recent American Psychological Association survey of

1,568 adults aged 18+  and for the first time included 1,206 young people aged 8-17 years,

(more…)

My 5-year-old daughter jumped on Santa’s lap on Sunday and told him, “I want a pink DS?” The good news is I have on top authority that there will be a pink DS under the Christmas tree. The bad news is that I also know it will have her 7 year old sister’s name on it and not hers.  I kept wondering about all of the Bratz things that she wanted two weeks ago and were already wrapped!

The thing about the holidays is, that no matter how hard you try, it won’t be the perfect white Christmas that only exists in Hallmark movies. Kids change their minds, in-laws are annoying and walking through the Festival of Lights with your husband is not nearly as romantic as you thought it would be when you were lonely and didn’t have a boyfriend.

(more…)