It’s official: chatting on the phone is so last century. Text messages and social media are the easiest and fastest ways to keep up with your fam and followers. These days it’s not unusual to keep up with your friends and the goings on of their lives via text, or flirt with a new boo via Instagram, but when you step out of the cyber world and have face-to-face interactions do you have all the tools necessary to keep you safe? Ya know, like “Safety Words” with friends – codes you can use in person or via text to get yourself out of sticky situations – cues for when you’re at the bar and need to be “rescued” from an annoying guy, and even signals that tell your friends they need to slow down on the drinks, because that last drink may have been one too many.  Texting can be fun but it can also keep you safe. Why not develop a few key phrases this weekend to keep you safe while you’re on the go. These code phrases let people know certain things without making it too obvious about what’s going on and ….could be great for safety and a fun thing to do.

Try some of these or make some  of your own ..

“SMHU” .. “Save me he’s ugly”

“DD” .. “Done drinking”

“SWH” .. “Staying with him”

“LG” .. “Let’s Go”

You can also try to include words in conversations that let friends know how you’re really feeling.”  Here’s an example”

“ICE” – I’m uncomfortable in the situation I’m in.

 

 

 

#Live Right At Night … Safe Status Updates

 

Happy Friday ladies. It’s spring in the city and that means you are going to be meeting up with friends (and lovers) and hanging out on the town. It probably also means you may post more status updates and photos using social media reflecting your minute-by-minute fun and fabulous times. We all know social media can help us and streamline our busy lives (and show them off) but with all the information we can access out there it can also be dangerous! People can access your information and location more than ever and for those who are single and dating this can prove to be even more dangerous.  So ladies, before you send your updates here’s a few things to be aware of:

• Twitter location – people can see your location if you don’t turn off the “Location Finder” box on Twitter, and let’s be real: you don’t necessarily need people to know exactly where you are tweeting from every second of the day.

• FourSquare – Some of you even post when you are at home (i.e. Casa de Lindsay) – think about this before you do this, does everyone need to know when and where you are when you’re at home?

• Facebook – Be sure you don’t have too much personal and location information on your page, and make sure you regularly check your privacy settings (they often open up without you knowing it)

• Websites – Some women work from home and put their home address on their website – another No No – keep you personal life private!

We all remember traditional ways of saying safe, but sometimes the newer and more modern ways are forgotten! Have a fabulous Friday and wonderful weekend.

Smooches,

Dr. V

 

Live Right at Night … Drink Right in the Daylight

Hello sun goddesses, it seems (almost) all over the country that spring has sprung and summer is on its way!  But before you whip out your fabulous shades and lean back in a chair while having a cocktail at a sidewalk café wait a minute!  Be careful as you order a diet soda mixed with that cocktail that you don’t want to end up sun drunk.

Researchers have shown that diet drinks like diet soda coupled with alcohol versus the full-bodied, full-calorie soda mixed with alcohol may actually cause you to get drunk faster. Whaaattt? I know crazy right? What’s a girl to do, I mean hello calories count even when you drink them through a straw. Now I’m not saying you should start ordering a rum and regular Coke. But it’s important to understand how your drink choices can impact your blood alcohol level. Sugar (aka carbohydrates) slows down the absorption of alcohol into the bloodstream. Diet soda drinks don’t have sugar so there’s no slowing of alcohol absorption and therefore, you can get drunk faster compared to enjoying a cocktail with regular soda. Drinking diet soda versus regular soda with alcohol can lead up to an 18% difference in breath alcohol content. Which means yes, ladies those two drinks may sneak up on you faster. Couple the a few sugar free cocktails with a sun filled café and OMG – you could be drunk at happy hour before the sun sets.

So as the days get longer, the sun shines brighter, and you partake in more adult beverages be mindful of your alcohol intake. There’s nothing wrong with having a few cocktails with friends, but if you are going to partake in “diet” cocktails then perhaps think about having a glass of water between those drinks; extending the amount of time between drinks; or even grabbing a bite to eat while drinking to put some food and carbs in your stomach to help slow the absorption of alcohol in your system and ensure you stay safe and sober.

Wishing you a fabulous weekend and enjoy the sun!

Smooches,

Dr. V

 

 

 

 

#Live Right at Night …….. Condoms2go

It feels like the weekdays are flying by, and again it’s the weekend. Many people say Friday night is “date night.” In keeping with the Friday “date night,” theme this week let’s talk about the ladies carrying condoms. Yep, that’s right ladies can carry condoms when on the go too! Now it’s been known for ages that guys carry condoms in their wallets. I bet if you talk to one of your friends right now, he may have a dusty looking condom packet, perhaps torn at the edges (now that’s an entirely other item to discuss), and possibly even expired in his wallet. Yet it’s there ready to be used at any moment.  Now, most people “expect” the man to have a condom, and we don’t pass judgment on him for having one readily available. Some would say that if he does carry a condom that he’s prepared and responsible. Now what if we flip the script and it’s a woman carrying a condom in her purse. Usually a woman’s purse is larger and roomier so the likelihood that the condom will be raggedy and beat-up is lower, but for some reason some people have a double standard as it relates to a woman carrying condoms. A woman who totes condoms in her purse may not be viewed as a good “Boy,” ahem, “Girl Scout,” she’s viewed as promiscuous, easy and not marriage material.

Why does this double standard exist?

There are women who aren’t in relationships who are on birth control pills for pregnancy prevention and they aren’t considered a “slut.” So why does carrying a condom for pregnancy and STD prevention insinuate a women is a floosy?  Perhaps she’s not even carrying it for herself.  She may be the designated condom carrier for her girl or guy friends when they all go out, similar to a designated driver.

A woman with Magnums in her Alexander McQueen evening bag may be smart, sensible, and believe in safe sex.  She knows sometimes things happen and it’s better to be prepared and have safe sex every time, and she believes in respecting herself and also her partner’s sexual health. Or is she just hedonistic, on the prowl and searching for casual stranger sex, and down for anything? And absolutely not the kind of woman you would introduce to your mom let alone marry?

Think about this .. is it better to be the girl who doesn’t have a condom with her, has unprotected and ends up at the pharmacy buying the Morning After pill, so she isn’t viewed as  a “hussy” who carries condoms. But, instead puts herself at increased risk of pregnancy and STDs.

Tell me your thoughts. What’s your opinion? Log your vote on the poll below:

☐ She’s a woman of loose morals .. RUN fella run!!

☐ She’s a planner and a keeper (at least for the night) ..

Travel Right at Night

…. Friends don’t let friends sleep it off in a parking lot

It’s the weekend again! Yes, again!! How are you feeling? Are you recovered from St. Paddy’s day? Spring is officially here, and that means more time socializing with friends outdoors under the sun and definitely more libations and adult beverages.  We all know the saying, “friends don’t let friends drive drunk” and we wouldn’t let someone we love get behind the wheel and drive them (or us) home. But equally as important: please don’t leave someone you love alone in a bar or alone to sleep off their buzz in the car. The story of Terrilynn Monette (http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20681602,00.html ) really hit home for me,  as she is a 26 year old school teacher in New Orleans who was at a local bar celebrating her nomination for teacher of the year with her friends this past March 2^nd. The bartender cut her off saying she’d had too much to drink, and at the end of the night Terrilynn told her friends she would sleep off her buzz in the car. And they let her!! Devastatingly, Terrilynn has not been seen since.

Leaving a friend who has had one too many is never a good idea!  Part of the Live Right at Night mantra includes Playing and Traveling Right at Night!  That means before you head out you should have a game plan created regarding how you will get home.  If you or your friends have too much to drink opt to take a cab or car service home and check in to be sure everyone makes it home safely. Even better?  Why not have a good old-fashioned sleepover if one of you is a bit too drunk to drive home.

Let’s also talk about how alcohol realistically leaves your system: sleeping off the shots or drinks you’ve had sounds responsible in theory but there’s nothing you can do once you’re intoxicated to speed up the process of removing alcohol from your body.  Just because you have been to sleep doesn’t mean you aren’t still affected by alcohol. (Just think about how you feel the morning after when you have a hangover, you aren’t your normal peppy self). A quick power nap won’t make you less inebriated.  Taking a cold shower, or having a cup of coffee won’t make your body metabolize or breakdown the alcohol in your system faster. The two factors that determine how fast your liver gets rid of the alcohol in your body is 1) the amount you had to drink and 2) the time in which you drank all that hooch. And if your liver is damaged in any way then the process can take even longer.

This weekend if you’re out partying, make sure you have a plan in place to get home safely. If you’re planning a night out, have a designated driver identified before you leave the house. And if you live life spontaneously and end up drinking the night away, call a cab or have someone take you home. ….. Don’t put yourself or others at risk!

Wishing you a fabulous spring weekend.

Smooches

Dr. V

#Live Right AT Night ….  Hangover Tips for St. Patty’s Day … Drink and Recover Right At Night

Oh yes ladies and gents it’s that time of the week again … the WEEKEND!! And this weekend is extra special because not only is March 17^th my daddy’s birthday, Happy Birthday Dad, it’s also St. Patrick’s Day! I have a feeling you may be out partying into the wee hours of Monday Morning. Here’s a few hangover tips to help you Drink Right At Night so you can actually make it into the office on Monday morning.

BEFORE:

• Hydrate & eat something – begin your night of partying on a full stomach!
• 
  
• Know how you’re getting home before you leave the house – have a plan that is safe and secure that you won’t have to think about while out celebrating.
• 
  
• Prepare for your arrival home & the morning after: eye cream and bottled water in the fridge, alarm clock set for Monday!
• 
  
• Avoid any green body glitter, hair color or anything else that will impress at a parade but not in the office!

DURING:

• Match each pint of beer or mysterious green cocktail with a tall glass of water.  Or switch to soda water & lime to stay sober no one has to know it’s not a cocktail.
• 
  
• Have a buddy! Who will keep you in check and make sure you have a safe trip home.

AFTER:

• When you arrive home REHYDRATE with water or coconut water – get potassium & other electrolytes back into your body!
• 
  
• Prep your face for The Morning After- wash, hydrate, & use your fab face creams!
• 
  
• Sleep with an elevated pillow to relieve eye puffiness!

The Monday After: 

• Keep the hydration going: include water & natural fruit juices like cranberry or apple juice to put natural sugars back into your body.
• 
  
• Don’t skip breakfast:
  • Try wholegrain bread – a great source of detoxifying B vitamins!
  • Eggs – are packed with cysteine which can help clean up leftover toxins from alcohol in your body.
  • HOLD the COFFEE – that Cup o’Joe you normally have in the AM will dehydrate you more. Wait a while before having coffee, tea, or other caffeinated beverages.
  • Toss a banana in your bag for a natural potassium boost! Enjoy it as a snack especially if you still don’t feel fab after breakfast.

Have a wonderful St. Patrick’s Day and don’t kiss every blarney guy (stone) you meet at the bar.

Wishing you a fabulous weekend & St. Patty’s Day!

Smooches,

Dr. V