Issue #177: Practical Tips for Staying Healthy Over Colder Months

Think of your body as a castle...

🎥 ‘Anora,’ in theaters: This Pretty Woman-esque movie stars Mikey Madison (requisite plug for the underrated show, “Better Things”) as a sex worker who, at the end of a week playing girlfriend to a young Russian oligarch to the tune of $15,000, marries him in Vegas. The couple is elated until the film shifts dramatically in tone with the family’s discovery of the union. A modern, not-quite Cinderella story, it’s at its strongest when holding Anora’s internal tensions, like that between her Russian-American upbringing, and her naiveté and inherent strength.

📺 “The Pitt” on Max: Only two episodes in, and I’m already obsessed with this hour-long emergency room drama that combines the interpersonal tensions of “Grey’s” with the medical mysteries of “House,” and the high-stakes timeline of “24.” (It’s by the creators of “ER.”) Each episode is told in real-time, over a 12-hour shift in the emergency room of a Pittsburgh hospital. It’s feels realistic, at least to me (medical professionals who have seen it, I’d love your thoughts on this!), and is not for the squeamish. It’s engaging, non-stop, and I couldn’t love it more. New episodes come out every Thursday!

🎧 “Burned Out? Start Here.” on Ezra Klein: Easily the most-recommended book in Morning Person comments is Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman. While I (still!) haven’t read it, I was completely enraptured by his recent conversation with Ezra Klein on burnout, which highlights realistic expectations we should hold for ourselves and offering permission to listen to our nervous systems and slow down, and rethinking “work.” I’m currently on my second listen…

Before we get into things, I wanted to share a brief note on the L.A. Wildfires and how to help (updated regularly with more resources). I know many of you were directly impacted—thank you for sharing your Go Fund Me links so we can all pitch in. x

Using a wood-burning sauna on a recent trip with friends!

Colds have been a perpetual frustration in my life, especially in the winter time, with some bouts lasting long enough that I can’t even remember what it felt like to be healthy. I do all the things—wash my hands, wear masks on flights (yes, still), get my annual booster shots, and vaccines—but can usually still count on at least one major bug flattening me each season.

I began seeing Helen Spieth¹ for acupuncture at the end of 2023 as part of my treatment for PMDD, since she specializes in hormonal imbalances. As those symptoms improved, we began to address less-pressing concerns, like my chronic colds. During each of my then-weekly visits to her practice, I would pepper her with questions about acupuncture, but also Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), in both of which she’s an expert. One of the things I most appreciate about Helen, beyond her wealth of knowledge, is that she never recommends one “miracle” solution, but attends to each issue from multiple directions, suggesting a combination of Western medicine, acupuncture and Chinese herbs, as well as sustained, small lifestyle changes that support the body’s own natural defense mechanisms.

Issue #172: My Daily and Weekly Health Nonnegotiables

Since working with her, I’ve gained an entirely new understanding of my immune system—which she likens to a castle—and ways in which I can strengthen it. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that this is the first year I’ve ever made it through an entire holiday season without illness (!). Of course, this post isn’t a replacement for your doctor’s recommendations, or meant to serve as any sort of miracle cure-all, but I do think you’ll find some of Helen’s wisdom helpful, as I have. Below, I share my cold essentials as well as her tips from our recent audio conversation, which includes:

• Why body temperature is a vital first defense in our “castle,” and small changes we can make accordingly

• How to stimulate the lymph system, through shaking and dry brushing, for immune support

• What to add to and remove from your diet, to support immune health

• Her recommendation for what to do after a sweaty hot yoga class or a sauna, to help maintain health