How do we do it?

Let’s be honest, sometimes the thought of socialising feels about as appealing as doing the laundry. After a long week of battling work, the media, and the existential dread of what any given leader in the world is going to do next - the idea of facing the #outside world can seem downright apocalyptic (?!) and frankly like it just requires way too much effort. Especially if your inner critic starts whispering in your ear too!

Our friends say, “I don’t know how you do it!” I agree, I mean we aren’t young, but we do go out most weekends. The answer is simplistic - we make ourselves.

Why? 

Because here's the thing - socialising, when you're feeling more sloth than social butterfly, is actually sincerely good for your soul, particularly after a tough week. 

In my humble view, sometimes when you least feel for it, may well be when you truly actually need it the most! Think of it as feeding your brain – because let's be real, it gets hungry too! It has an appetite! It's great to shoot-the-breeze and talk through the good, bad and ugly and hear what's what. Interacting socially is what us humans do best!

- Now be honest, how's your real life social diet looking?

When we socially connect IRL, our brains release that magical love hormone, oxytocin (the one I’m always getting excited about). This isn't just for cuddling puppies and partners, although I definitely am a hugger! Oxytocin reduces stress, makes you feel happier, and even gives your immune system a little pep talk. Plus, social interaction is positively a jungle gym workout for your brain! Just imagine that every person who you socialise with is exercising your brain and keeping you agile (read: young). 

Next time you're tempted to hibernate in your pjs and become at one with the sofa, just check in with yourself:

• Are you in your own head and giving your inner critic too much airtime? 
• What does your brain and or body really need?

This is how do we do it:

• Put local events on our shared calendars (to balance holidays and budget)
• Highlight new places to check out, locally and overseas 
• A quick coffee before heading out - always!
• Music when getting ready
• Dressing for self (not fussing) equals happiness
• Comfort thanks to icy-hot, where-ever you need it. Try it on the underside of your feets - when it’s a long day or night, carnival!
• Designated driver, your ride is sorted
• Room to be spontaneous and flexible
• Balancing soft drinks and alcohol 
• Heading home when ready

Like everything in life, the more you do it, the better you get at it! Hope to see you #outside very soon!

Alternative Wellness Journey!

Okay, I’ll be honest. I'm not exactly known for my patience or bodily tolerance of big pharma. So, when my back decided to betray me in 2023(talk about being backstabbed…quite literally and blowing out both hips in subsequent years) the wonderful world of alternative health and medicine has become my BFF!

Having had my first cupping in 2025. Picture this, my back and hips adorned with a nice constellation of purple bruises courtesy of vibrating red-light cups. It kinda leaves one looking they have wrestled a giant octopus and lost. Does it work? Well, I eventually bought my own set of cups for home and will use them frequently! This morning in fact! In the short-term one feels like a warrior, emerging victorious from some ancient battle.  

Admittedly, I was a little slow to come to the acupuncture game, having had a slightly intense/painful, experience with dry needling in 2023. However, with the right person having tiny needles strategically inserted into my flesh became somewhat oddly one of my favourite forms of relaxation until the person got it wrong. Man, it is not nice when they get this one wrong.

I've also tried a cranial brain massage (who knew that was thing!)💆The cranial massage though? Both blissful and bizarre, it felt like someone was gently rocking my brain back and forth. He included some neck traction too and I emerged from the session feeling like a new taller human, albeit a slightly unbalanced one. Sadly, the guy left our island who offered this in 2024 and truly was a one-off.

I got very into herbal tinctures, creams and compounded items in 2024 and my kitchen resembled an apothecary, with mysterious ingredients and pungent smells, the ointments and liquids courtesy of a complementary health doctor, sadly they are no longer practicing either. So I'm reduced to Capisom which I buy in abundance along with regular OTC and Rx oil.

Having to wait for almost a year for meagre Chiro appointments thorough my insurance, when I finally got a few approved I was disappointed. The chiro felt pretty brutal and left me in pain for days afterwards for some very short-term relief. This one I discovered isn't for me.

I've stuck with different physio programs over the years, I had one close to my work that was awesome and included massage and water therapy (alas the insurance company struck that off) and my new Physio I stuck with for a year and made progress, but getting to and from and the once a week sessions became overwhelming to keep up with alongside lifes demands. Towards the end I genuinely questioned whether the sitting the traffic to and from, disruption to work and stress it caused was paying off. However, what was paying off was the app that guided me through exercises from the comfort of my own home. My dog, of course is utterly delighted by the array of impromptu floor exercises! I've had great gains with physio in the past.

What really made the big difference for me was neurofeedback - read my separate blog on this! It helped with cognition and coordination after I bumped my head and bought not just my brain back online but my body, it afforded me improved sleep, pain management, motor coordination. It would be my absolute top recommendation to anyone.

I mean isn't winning over the mind is half the battle?

Honestly...who knows! I’m just out here in my own lane exploring, experimenting, and learning about my body and mind in ways that pharma never quite managed to reach. 

I won’t 'long points' on meditation and gratitude, mean who isn’t onboard these days! Zoning out ‘the noise’ (read: things you honestly really and truly don’t need to worry about) is actually the only way to stay sane in this game of life.

Spiritually? Well, previously my energy focus was ‘miracle’ and oh my, was it ever! Then ‘animals’, check out my blogs regarding my experiences travelling to South Africa and Safari and now I’m focused on ‘retreat’, with this year already mandating me to the captivity of a three-week work break due to health. I'm focused on how to turn this into a positive by staging an alternate version of retreat through a trip to Turkey, Istanbul and Cappadocia this summer.

Dog! Goat! Pothole!

After 17-18 visits (tbh I’ve lost track) I’m still navigating Jamaica. Every trip is so different. A land of overwhelmingly amazing people, reggae, dancehall, overproof rum, and ridiculously good jerk chicken. Beneath its vibrant surface lies a unique rhythm, a chaos so captivating to me that I find it; addictively exhilarating, unbelievably adventurous as well as downright bewildering! 

Why do we love our travel adventures there so much? 

It affords us a bond and closeness that is unmatched! In life those moments of challenge, and the way couples respond together, rather than just as individuals, is essential. This togetherness is central for both our wellbeing's, health and security within our relationship because working as a unit to manage stress, provide emotional support, and solve problems … well isn't this what relationships are all about? Combined with our digital detox, our closeness and connectivity was incomparable!

 

On this trip, after a severe fainting spell, I had the added fun of a highly visible bruised face (🦝). Understand the Dog, Goat, Pothole title isn't about animal welfare (though that's important too of course). It's about togetherness and accepting the unexpected. Jamaica just isn’t like anywhere else in the world! 🇯🇲

Dog, Goat, Pothole is really my way of saying to expect the unexpected - honestly, what could be more romantic? A sudden downpour, a random round of applause when the plane touches down that is so touching you shed tears, surviving a stray pack of dogs chasing your car, endless rivers, getting utterly lost, a burst of impromptu car screen washing, unsubscribing to any ideas of queuing, sipping on some overproof drinks, and soaking up the memories of laid-back island vibes, the mountains, beautiful ocean, an insanely nauseating uber ride, befriending the local police, unfathomable trumpeting at a concert, making new friends and seeing old friends who will assist you in a heartbeat - expecting nothing in return. Embrace the spontaneity. It will not just affirm your love for each other but for the human race!

Do you have travel plans in 2025 - here's my top tips for having fun?

• hold your own
• join the rhythm
• surrender

Let go of your rigid ideas, notions and allow yourself to be swept away. Let the experiences be the souvenirs you bring home. Because, travel is more than just a vacation - it's a potentially life changing experience that profoundly impacts our brains if we let it. It can boost creativity and introspection, make our brains more cognitively flexible, forge new neural connections, enhance innovation in our thinking, calm our bodies, disconnect us from worries, lower stress cortisol levels, encourage mindfulness, and hone our appreciation of the beauty around us and within each other. Pair it with intentionally learning something new like, a cooking, language or karma sutra class for extra spice and strengthening! Ah sweet memories! 

Happy 2025 friends!