Spotlight Post

Most Recent Blog Post- Med School Studying

Welcome to the Rally Template

To get started, watch these short videos on Squarespace basics and read the template guide.

Shanny, DO

The experience of a doctor during her residency, discussing timely topics regarding medicine, prevention, and self-care. An expression of personal struggle, growth and accomplishment with a splash of humor and advocacy for others along the way <3

Shanny's Instagram Feed

**New Blog Post!!** All about minimizing sleep wake cycle disturbances, especially for those working in the healthcare field (Link in bio 💙) This was a popular request for a blog topic, so I hope many people will get a little insight from it. •
In my opinion, sleep is the most critical aspect of wellness for anyone, and especially for those in a high pressure job. A well-rested person is prepared, clear-minded, and much more apt to take care of other aspects for their personal wellness. Fatigue is not to be admired, and the whole "I'll sleep when I'm dead" philosophy is so overrated. I hope this blog sheds some light and provides a few useful tips in making sleep time transitions. But as always, I value your input more than anything! We can all learn from each other, so feel free to share your insight either in the comments below or on the blog. Love you! 💚😴•
#sleepmore #worryless #mentalhealth

Post-work out yoga flow from last night. All summer I'd been doing higher intensity/primarily body weight plyometric workouts. I love them! But my body was over it, and time to switch back to lifting heavy weights 😍 •
I create my own workouts and usually stick to a "routine" for ~3 months before having a desire to change modalities. Last week I started a 3-4 day/week full body heavy lifting routine and already feeling strong! Above all, I listen intently to how I feel like moving on a daily basis. I've learned the difference between true fatigue vs lack of motivation when it comes to exercise, and I adjust my workouts accordingly. Exercise should create LESS stress, not more! If you're working out for your health (which I recommend; focusing on aesthetics leads to limited motivation long term) the most important part is showing up. The little nuances about hitting certain speeds/weights/intensity etc, should be just for fun. •
The one constant is yoga as part of my dynamic cool down- so essential for mental health more than anything. There's something so invigorating about inversions 🤗•
Share with me- does your movement routine ebb and flow? How do you stay in tune to what you need? 💙•
#movemore #sitless #exerciseismedicine

And here's your Monday workout plan ❤️•
Be Kind, always. It's been a day 🙏🏻•
#bekind #lovemore #hearthealth

Twinning and totally on purpose 💙 blue stripes and skirts with my favorite @akanksha_agr, 3rd year together!! Hope you all have the best Friday, we're wrapping up our last day of clinic before a weekend of more work and on to new rotations. •
Also big thanks to the feedback regarding my recent instagram stories discussing social media and medicine. Will be discussing this more again soon. Biggest hugs and best wishes to everyone submitting ERAS applications today! Submit it, no one is looking that closely to the things you're freaking out about 😉•
#medicine #coresident #tgif

My kind of Thursday happy hour 🤓
Totally forgot I was presenting a case at morning report tomorrow until halfway through clinic today lol yeahhh let me get on that 📚•
Big awesome @wholefoods brown box salad filled with tofu and all the veggies + a barely pictured @inspiredbrews (local kombucha brewed in Philly!) Now them I'm fed, time to READ. Hope you all had the best Thursday 💙•
#residency #medicine #eatmoreplants

Yoga goals: still doing firefly pose 50 years from now. Life goals: still smiling too 🤗•
"I don't believe in age. I believe in energy. Don't let age dictate what you can and can not do." -Tao Porchon-Lynch, 97-year-old yoga teacher •
Happy Tuesday, Humans 💙•
#yoga #ageless #choosejoy

It's National Suicide Prevention Week, but this should be a daily reminder 🙏🏻•
Per AFSP, suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the US. Each year about 44,000 people in the US die from suicide (or on average, ~120 suicides per day.) The age group most at risk is 45-64, more commonly in males. •
These are interesting facts to know, but more importantly is recognizing and reaching out to those at risk. If you are worried about anyone's mental health, I encourage you to ASK them how they're doing. Help them seek out professional care. It's so easy to brush it off, especially if this person is an acquaintance. A simple notion of reaching out could save a life. And if YOU are in a vulnerable position and feel you are not safe from yourself, with thoughts to harm or kill yourself, please gather that single bit of courage to find help. NO ONE can play your part and we need you. •
Thank you @freudandfashion for being such a powerful voice in psychiatry advocacy, I commend you for the work you do 💙•
#stopsuicide #suicide #mentalhealth

The trifecta of deliciousness for my last day of step down 🏨•
On top of a bed of mixed greens: roasted broccoli, baked salmon with a smattering of seasoning (seriously, it's so good it melts when you eat it), and my favorite dip/condiment: babba gannoush! @dr.farah_md understands my love for it 😍 There's like a million ways to spell it and I'm pretty sure I still don't hit one of them 😜 •
I'll genuinely miss being on this service. It's the perfect level of critical thinking for very ill patients, but not so sick that everyone is intubated and you can't interact with them. It really keeps you on your toes and it's the kind of internal medicine that I love. That being said, the patients are indeed very sick and for the last month I've been in a low grade state of anxiety, always worrying about them, checking labs when I get home, rushing in to see if anyone had to be sent to ICU, etc. It'll be nice to have a break from those feelings for a while 🤗 On to clinic and more GI, and only one month until I'm off for a quick Ireland vacation with my dad! Lots of fun ahead! Hope you all have the very best Sunday ❤️•
#eatmoreplants #sundays #medicine

Powered by Beverages ☕️🥂 You guys already know my love for @healthade but can we talk about this locally brewed @goldenvalleycoffee? The chai flavor is deliciously intense and I'm for sure stocking up!•
I love having days off in the middle of the week. Enjoying breakfast with my husband, the dry cleaners are open, the vibe is chill everywhere, and you get the best seat for studying at @wholefoodsphilly 💁🏼Hope you're all having the best Thursday, wherever you are •
PS I want to thank everyone who shared their views/opinions on my last post regarding nutrition research. It just goes to show that we can have an intellectual conversation without sharing the exact same view. I've somehow avoided trolls and negativity and attracted a brilliant crowd of human beings. I learn so much from you all and so thankful you have interest in my educational posts. Love you all, seriously! 💙💙💙•
#coffee #readmore #happy

🤓🥗I'm always so hesitant to share nutrition research. Nutrition is now a topic in the same category as religion and politics - so controversial and emotionally driven! But I'm here to share high quality research so that you may apply it as it best fits your life (because I love you and support the individual choices you make for optimal health and happiness. And nutrition is NEVER one size fits all.)•
ANYWAY, here's a very interesting paper published in The Lancet last week exploring health outcomes based on macronutrient combinations. I share this not to shame carbohydrates (quite the contrary, eat those healthy carbs) but rather, to help remove the fear of eating fat. Fat is essential. And I think new research will continue to debunk the misinterpreted recommendations for a low fat diet reducing the risk of heart disease amongst other conditions. Am I recommending eating fat in excess? Nope, not that either. Finding the delicate balance of eating whole, nourishing foods is always the goal. •
As always, this study is not without flaws. We don't have the details on food quality (were the high carbohydrate diets filled with processed high glycemic foods accompanied by caloric excess?) and other compounding factors (socioeconomic status, etc.) BUT that does not detract from some important conclusions. •
What are your thoughts? And not just on this paper, but on the general state of discussing nutrition in the present? You know I love a good convo in this area 😊 Please share below!! 👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼•
#nutrition #dontfearthefat #doyou

Shannon Tosounian, DO

Disclaimer: Statements on this website should not be taken as medical advice. These are my opinions and, when applicable, my own interpretation of medical literature. Anything written here is not intended to diagnose, cure, or prevent any disease. Please consult your own physician or other healthcare professional before making any changes to your lifestyle. Statements on this website have no association to Albert Einstein Medical Center. I personally have no association with any administrative office at AEMC, and have no influence on policies or admissions.