So what do you think? The CDC says “Anyone who is fully vaccinated can participate in indoor and outdoor activities, large or small, without wearing a mask or physical distancing.” It’s hard to wrap my head around this, after all this time, but reading that statement makes me want to weep with relief.
The thing I’m longing for most of all is to stop wearing a mask at work. I’m a massage therapist, and doing a massage- especially deep tissue, which is a workout- while wearing a mask makes me feel like I’m suffocating. The CDC says masks are still required in healthcare settings. I’m hoping we don’t fall into that category because we don’t work with sick people. My boss however, may feel otherwise. We will see!
Anyway! Exciting days ahead. Meanwhile, here are a couple good podcasts from the week:
“Sleep is not a disposable luxury– it’s a non-negotiable biological necessity.”
This Rich Roll podcast about sleep. It’s long- three hours- but worth it. I listened to it over the course of several days. Rich interviews sleep expert Dr. Mathew Walker about every aspect of sleep- why it’s so important, what happens if you don’t get enough, and steps you can take to improve your sleep. I liked the part where he said the optimal sleep temperature is around 65 degrees (because I always want the house colder than my husband at night) but not that part about caffeine (noooo! I love my afternoon glass of iced tea!). Anyway, I’m highly motivated now to get more sleep- I’ve been working on it.
Jason Fitzgerald has been killing it lately with his podcast guests. Yet another great one about strength training for runners. As a matter of fact I’m seriously considering buying Kevin Carr’s book, Functional Training Anatomy. I’ve mentioned that I want to change up my strength routine, and I like what he said about multiplanar exercise. Since running is all about moving forward, we need to spend some time moving side to side. I’m also incorporating more single-leg movements. We’ll see how it goes!
And one last thing. Friday is our takeout night, and my usual choice is Chipotle. Last week I decided to branch out and get Blaze pizza. Blaze has the option of vegan cheese and all sorts of vegetables. WELL! When I got home with the pizzas I was extremely displeased to find they had left two toppings off of mine- kalamata olives and arugula. Sure, I still had a couple sad looking vegetables- onion and green pepper- but the olives and arugula were big things to leave off, flavor-wise. Needless to say I’ll be back to my beloved Chipotle tonight.
How are you feeling about the new mask news? Excited? Apprehensive?
Do you get enough sleep? – I was getting between 6-7 hours a night, now I’m getting 7-8. Baby steps!
12 Responses
Sleep, ugh! I’m lucky if I get 5-6 hours, but I function fine with that. I know I probably need more, though. The mask thing has me feeling rather skeptical. I’m so ready for all the masks to go away, but I fear it will give the unvaccinated ones free reign to do as they please …posing as fully vaccinated.
Yes, how do we know who’s vaccinated and who isn’t? I think the guidelines make sense, but implementing them seems tricky.
I know… I love being awake too much- I like getting up early and staying up late. Sleep really is important though so I’m trying!
I am terrible with getting enough sleep. But I function so I guess I am used to it.
I am excited for life to return to normal. I just wish everyone would get their vaccine.
If I am with vaccinated folks, I do not wear my mask.
Maybe this will encourage more people to get vaccinated? I hope!
I was talking about this w my massage therapist this morning. It is hard to breathe when your face is down w a mask. Still thankful I can get one though! I am in a much better place with sleep now than I have been. It’s a gift!
We don’t require people to wear masks when they’re face-down, only face-up. And soon… hopefully… not at all!
Oooh, I’ll have to listen to that Rich Roll podcast on my long run tomorrow! I love his podcast when it’s a topic I’m interested in, but they’re so long that it has to be something I’m REALLY interested in! But better sleep hygiene has been a priority for me lately. I’ve been working on detaching from screens after 8 pm on week nights. As for masks, I’m excited that things are getting better, but I do worry about the unvaccinated folks. I wish everyone would get vaccinated, but I know there are so many issues around race and access and young children that I’m just not sure how I feel about the new mask guidance. I do LOVE being around other vaccinated folks so I can breathe though. Wearing a mask sucks. I’m so over it.
I agree, the vaccine question can be complicated. I’m hoping the new guidelines might encourage more people to get it.
I hope you like that podcast! It definitely made me take sleep more seriously.
I don’t think much will change for me with the new mask guidelines. I don’t wear a mask when I run and I have to wear a mask at work. We have to wear them at the stores, although I just saw a story on the news that Trader Joes isn’t requiring them anymore. I think I still will wear one at the stores. I don’t mind wearing it and if it keeps me healthy?
I don’t mind wearing them in a store either. It’s just at work that it’s hard. Yes, with your job you have no choice. For now… eventually it will change.
Oh sleep… I really have to work hard at getting enough, but I’m getting better. It’s definitely been a work in progress!
I am thrilled that our governor lifted our mask mandate after the CDC recommended doing so. I just walked into our butcher shop without mine and it felt amazing!
I have yet to go into a store without a mask! So far every place I’ve been (except for the restaurant last night) still requires them- but I’ve been hearing rumors about some of the big chains lifting the mask restriction. I’m sure I’ll experience it soon!