Dr. David’s Stress-Busting Weekend Elixir

Gather ‘round all comers and, for a limited time, receive the secret recipe to Dr. David’s Stress-Busting Weekend Elixir free. That’s right, absolutely gratis.

Because I like you.

We’ve had some stress hovering around The 409 recently. The kids have been trading off sicknesses, visits to doctors and emergency rooms, Amy’s increasingly frustrated with elements of her work, I’m still struggling to help keep my work afloat, I just sat through a seven day murder trail as a juror -– in a most horrifying case of a mother who killed her baby.

Safe to say lots of strain on all of us.

But this weekend, we beat it, and I feel better than I have in a long time.

Here’s the recipe:

Take advantage of a remarkably sunny winter’s morning and ride your bicycle 35 miles to a nice stretch of water by the Chesapeake Bay. When hit by strong headwinds that make you feel like you’re cycling through a milkshake, think of it as just a way to get a better workout in.



Go for a hike with your family. Or at least the part of your family that’s still in the area, and call the one who’s away at college (details below).



Explore the woods and get a little dirty, because that matters.




Stay close to the pretty girls who look even prettier in the sunlight.




Stare in wonder at the trees dancing in the wind…



…and hang onto your hat when the wind’s blowing strong.



Hold hands. A lot.



Give a call to the big girl in college, who’s having the time of her life but loves to hear what her little brother and sister are doing and says things like, “I have the cutest brother and sister. Makes me tear up a little.” Talk with her about all the cool things she’s learning in her African Religions class and trade thoughts on geopolitical shenanigans and economic disparity. But be sure to laugh, too.



Give the wee ones a long bath and let them be adorable.



Don’t forget what Tom Robbins said: "Never underestimate how much assistance, how much satisfaction, how much comfort, how much soul and transcendence there might be in a well made taco and a cold bottle of beer.” The same goes for a good 12-year-old single malt scotch with friends.



And make sure you spend some good, sane, quiet, peaceful alone time with your corazon, to remind yourselves of an important fact, a truth that sometimes can fall to the back burner in the hectic times every family goes through: that you’re more than just co-parents and there’s a reason you’re doing all of this in the first place.