It's the last few weeks of summer. Time for all the Departments of Transportation across the nation to pull out their road repair equipment and put it to use. Here in Seattle the month of August will see the worst traffic jams ever. Our major north-south corridor, Interstate-5, will be virtually closed, yes, CLOSED, for 3 weeks! Oh, there might be a lane or 2 open here and there, but don't count on it. The closure is effecting every other highway and surface road for miles around the city. It's a nightmare.
I know that we're not alone; there are major road repairs and traffic jams all over the nation. Wouldn't it be great to be able to abide by the recommendation to just stay off the roads and stay home? I find that a very practical guideline (LOL).
If staying home isn't an option for keeping you out of traffic and in a calm state of mind, then one other option is to eat enough healthy fats. I know this might sound silly, but people who consume diets that are below 25 -30% fat have a higher risk of feeling anger, frustration and anxiety. They don't cope with stress as well as someone who is feeding their brain the fats it needs to stay structurally healthy and strong.
Add back that avocado that I blogged about yesterday. Enjoy some peanut butter or other wonderful nut or seed butter. If you're allergic to nuts, soy butter is a pretty tasty alternative. Snack on a few olives; dip your crusty baguette in olive oil, put some smoked salmon on a bagel.
Every time you eat, you should have protein, carbohydrate, AND a healthy fat. What a great way to keep your cool while your stuck on the hot pavement of the freeway.
Yours in a Good Mood,
Dr. Susan Kleiner