Traffic jams, dark chocolate. and stress management

Yesterday afternoon, after a brief lunch time meeting with my accountants regarding my tax submission for the previous financial year (what is the bottom line? what is the bottom line? i.e. how much do I owe the taxman), I paid a visit to a themed conference center in Midrand. This was at the bequest of the owner who believes a joint venture is possible between FOTEOR and his company.

Even though it was an unexpected 'walk-in" - no appointment, within a few minutes I was guided throughout the center by the head of conference division. Ever mindful of the late time in the afternoon as I hate traffic jams, the tour extended to 45 minutes ( Only expected 15 minutes, tops), but left satisfied with the intuition that there was huge potential for a 'JV'.

Not knowing the area well, as well as peak hour patterns, as I am good at working out routes that overcome obstacles and gridlocks - a real return on investment as a psychiatrist!, it was not surprising that my fears were soon realized. A queue of motor cars that extended for at least a kilometer, and the traffic lights worked out against our decision, in retrospect, allowing only six or seven cars access with each turn of the green light.

But I learn from experience and my abnormal stress reaction to such frustration , and now I have a useful solution whereby most often there is reading material placed strategically on the passenger seat to make most use of such time freezed in space. As the traffic moves at a such a slow pace I can read a few sentences,and we as a community of gridlocked members of traffic jams struggle forward another few meters then stop, until the next shuffle.I then read and reflect on another sentence or two. Often by the end of the traffic jam, I have good understanding of the main points of the article, and my blood pressure remains normal. Also useful to have som e calming classical music as background white noise.

What did I read that kept me calm and cool, for 30 minutes, and added to my wisdom?

The title of the five page article: "Cocoa flavanols - Nutraceuticls with promising properties.


Subheadings

1. Cardiovascular protection by flavanoids

2. Cacao beans are a source of flavanoids and numerous other compounds.

3. Cultural history of chocolate.

4. Cocao and cardiovascular protection.

5. Cocao flavanols and cardiovascular effects.

Bottom line: These results are striking given that the beneficial effects were noted not only on blood pressure but also on other cardiovascular risk factors such as LDL levels and insulin sensitivity.

Their regular consumption in forms that are low in calories should be considered, given the compelling scientific evidence that has emerged.

Cocao flavanols hold promise as nutraceuticals with potent cardiovascular protective properties.

Taken from:

McGraw-Hils Access Medicine - Goodman & Gilman's Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. Last updated 3/30/2009.

So sometimes it is useful to find a traffic jam. Can read undisturbed with Beethovens 7th playing in the background!

More on flavanols at a later stage.