I don’t see too many books written by pharmacists. Walking down the aisle of my local Barnes & Noble, I see plenty of books from doctors, mental health professionals, and nutritionists – but hardly any from pharmacists. It makes me wonder if the majority of people who enter the pharmacy profession are perhaps more “left-brain” dominant and don’t really take to writing.
It also makes me think that we should definitely be hearing more from a pharmacist’s perspective. We are in a unique position in healthcare, often working as a liaison between the patient and doctor or other healthcare professional. This is actually one of the best positions possible! However, this also means that we relay and process a lot of information on any given day – much of which is “behind the scenes.”
Whereas doctors know the “who, what, when…,” pharmacists often know the “why” a certain medication was prescribed. People tend to divulge a bit more information to us, such as the reason for their new antidepressant or why their blood pressure medication dose just doubled. I like to think that people feel more comfortable talking to us, and this is why we get the back story behind the meds.
Ask almost any other pharmacist, and I can guarantee you that this comfortable, intimate communication is the true spark behind this profession. It’s why we do what we do every day and what keeps us going. Sure, we like calculating doses and checking for interactions. Those duties are major parts of our job. However, the patient interaction is key. In fact, if pharmacists had more time, most of us would actually shift our focus away from the counter and into the aisles – to simply do more talking.
This patient communication was actually the impetus behind writing this book. Through my years of pharmacy practice, I’ve found that almost every disease or condition is a result of the patient’s lifestyle choices, habits, or other personal circumstances – rarely is it actually due to the patient’s genetic predisposition alone. But many of us – including myself – feel as though our genes are the ultimate determinants of our health.
Trust me, I would never underestimate the power of our genes. They are certainly the building blocks of our brain, body, and life. But what if our habits had the power to supersede our genes? Genes control a lot, but they don’t control everything. It’s not just through casual observation that I’ve noticed this – many studies state that we have more control over our health than we think. We can experience a healthy, vibrant life, simply by choosing a bit more wisely.
Practical Radiance: 30 Days to Brighter Living and Smarter Health is a book for women because the dynamic world we live in seems to affect a woman’s life more than a man’s (not a scientific fact, just my own theory). We tend to experience the pressures, stresses, and demands of life a bit more because of our hormones and the way our brains are wired. Social media also tends to put more pressure on us, whether we feel this is true or not. Even celebrities and Hollywood A-listers get “mom-shamed” or criticized. Nothing is sacred on social media, and yet it’s such a major part of our lives these days.
Many women are minimally affected by the pressures of everyday living. They simply do the best they can, and if that’s not good enough, so be it. They may or may not turn to their faith for inspiration and motivation. Other women turn to their “drugs of choice” to cope – which may include caffeine, alcohol, prescription medications, or even recreational drugs. These are hefty and potentially dangerous price tags just to look and feel “good” again. Personally, I tend to be a caffeine-type of girl who dabbles a bit in red wine and faith!
Practical Radiance is a day-by-day guide filled with habits that will make an impact on your health and well-being because you can practice them for life. Many times, we reach for fitness and diet regimens that are unsustainable. Once the excitement and stamina wear off, we may find ourselves slowly creeping back to square one. I can’t tell you how many times I found myself in a similar situation. Unsustainable regimens are frustrating, time-consuming, and futile for our long-term health and wellness. I get down to the basics in Practical Radiance. My approach is two-fold: practicing habits that enrich our minds and bodies and avoiding the factors that are depleting.
I’m a pharmacist, but I hope you don’t get the impression that I’m “pushing pills” in this book. In fact, I come across two very extreme sides in this profession, and my hope is to see more “middle of the road.” On one side, I see a group of people that are probably overmedicated. Modifications to their lifestyle could most likely help here. On the other hand, I see people who maybe identify as “crunchy.” They eschew drug therapy like it’s the devil and ward off all vaccinations and pharmaceutical care. (I do include a small portion on childhood vaccinations in Practical Radiance. I’m neither for or against the standard vaccination schedule, and I tell you why in the book.) Either side of the pendulum can put people in grave danger. In Practical Radiance, I give you some insight into Western medicine and arm you with some knowledge to make informed and appropriate decisions for you and your family.
I hope you find Practical Radiance to be, well, practical. I purposely left out a lot of patient cases, “mom” stories, and other anecdotal type information, simply because most women don’t really have the time to read through the fillers. If you’re like me and get the luxury of a few moments to yourself, you probably just want the facts so you can get on with the rest of your life.
Practical Radiance: 30 Days to Brighter Living and Smarter Health will be coming out at the end of this summer. It will be available for purchase on Amazon and downloadable on Kindle. I sincerely hope you enjoy reading it as much as I’ve enjoying writing it and look forward to your feedback!
To your radiance and mine,
Trisha Bogucki
