| Author |
 Topic  |
|
Sylvia
199 Posts |
 Posted - 01/20/2013 : 05:33:06
|
Here is an excerpt,
Keep Occupied
When your mind, body and emotions are exhausted the amygdala is still firing and stress hormones still stimulating so the mind races agitatedly and watches each second pass. To free yourself from this catch22 situation you need a crutch to rest your mind on. And that crutch is to keep occupied and to do what you choose calmly and peacefully. This is not about ‘doing’ but ‘being’. The choice of what you do will enable the mind to be distracted from your symptoms and accepting and floating in what occupys it now. Your attention is focussed and all thoughts are repalced so that the amygdala can rest.
The question is ‘what to occupy yourself with’? I started painting my flat (it took months) – very slowly and without any pressures. Other clients have reconditioned old cars, started quilting, started gardening and building model toys. All of these activities were done in relaxed way, breathing calmly and without pressure. It is not easy not to rush, to set a deadline or to judge what you’re doing.
Be aware that normal activities, like clean
8888888 Here is where you can find the rest of the article88888888
http://www.golightlycoaching.com/keep-occupied/
Do you think this is the right approach or off in some way?
|
|
|
Racer
USA
129 Posts |
Posted - 01/20/2013 : 07:17:14
|
Hi Sylvia,
Precisely. Keeping the mind busy/occupied (relaxed as you mentioned) does really help. As I did mention in my earlier posts, with my little experience, by getting up early in the morning, I start engaging the mind in various activities in a relaxed way. This makes my day a lot better.
If I'm right, I guess the level of cortisol is stable while we sleep. As soon as when we get up from the bed, most of us make a big blunder by start searching for the pain, that may influence the cortisol to change to a different level. I would like to see if any expert in this forum can elaborate on what I'm trying to say.
Thanks |
Edited by - Racer on 01/20/2013 07:18:10 |
 |
|
|
pspa123
672 Posts |
Posted - 01/20/2013 : 08:13:28
|
As I recall from when I used to read those boards, Gupta was not very popular in the CFS patient community because he essentially viewed CFS as an anxiety disorder -- whereas the patients were completely invested in having a biological illness and obsessed with tweaking their supplement regimes and analyzing obscure test results.
As I recall, his program was fairly basic CBT with elements of mindfulness and reprogramming negative thoughts. |
|
|
|
susan828
USA
291 Posts |
Posted - 01/20/2013 : 08:15:41
|
| When I get in this state, really agitated, I try to do the things I used to enjoy when I was more relaxed but I say "What's the use, who am I kidding, I'm so messed up, this is faking it" and I get stunted. One of my friends says "Just do it". She says if I don't try, I'll just sit here and never get anywhere. How do you force yourself when you feel depressed and agitated? |
|
|
|
Sylvia
199 Posts |
Posted - 01/20/2013 : 08:41:49
|
quote:
Originally posted by pspa123
As I recall from when I used to read those boards, Gupta was not very popular in the CFS patient community because he essentially viewed CFS as an anxiety disorder -- whereas the patients were completely invested in having a biological illness and obsessed with tweaking their supplement regimes and analyzing obscure test results.
As I recall, his program was fairly basic CBT with elements of mindfulness and reprogramming negative thoughts.
True, and why his program likely doesn't work is because you are not thinking psychological, but interrupting any sickness thoughts. And that doesn't get it aka Sarno.
But he has elements useful, the doing things in slow motion, just slowing down, being relaxed not hurried. |
|
|
|
Sylvia
199 Posts |
Posted - 01/20/2013 : 08:47:15
|
quote:
Originally posted by susan828
When I get in this state, really agitated, I try to do the things I used to enjoy when I was more relaxed but I say "What's the use, who am I kidding, I'm so messed up, this is faking it" and I get stunted. One of my friends says "Just do it". She says if I don't try, I'll just sit here and never get anywhere. How do you force yourself when you feel depressed and agitated?
There have been many sit there do nothing times with me. The time when you don't feel that way I'd start doing things that could be done when your are down and out depressed and nervous. Find those hobbies.
I ended up at times playing solitair a million times, throwing cards into a bowl, laying outside and tying weeds together.
With psych patients, and stroke patients, they string beads and such, even if the counselor at the end takes all the beads off back into the bowl they are nonplussed, it is good to be active mindless and repetitive I guess.
|
Edited by - Sylvia on 01/20/2013 08:53:12 |
|
|
|
Sylvia
199 Posts |
Posted - 01/20/2013 : 08:50:58
|
quote:
Originally posted by Racer
Hi Sylvia,
Precisely. Keeping the mind busy/occupied (relaxed as you mentioned) does really help. As I did mention in my earlier posts, with my little experience, by getting up early in the morning, I start engaging the mind in various activities in a relaxed way. This makes my day a lot better.
If I'm right, I guess the level of cortisol is stable while we sleep. As soon as when we get up from the bed, most of us make a big blunder by start searching for the pain, that may influence the cortisol to change to a different level. I would like to see if any expert in this forum can elaborate on what I'm trying to say.
Thanks
Hurry up is sure a sickness with me, and a lot of us. Ace's keys sure speak to it. I'm glad that it is real helpful to you to keep busy and relaxed.
|
|
|
|
pspa123
672 Posts |
Posted - 01/20/2013 : 08:56:38
|
Sylvia I thought his program was good, I didn't mean to convey otherwise, although it did bother me a bit that he was promoting it as a radical new discovery when it was just well-packaged basic CBT/mindfulness.
What bothers me more are some of the sites promising to sell you an amazing new "secret" to cure panic attacks which is just basic Claire Weekes let them happen. |
Edited by - pspa123 on 01/20/2013 08:58:27 |
|
|
|
tennis tom
USA
4749 Posts |
Posted - 01/20/2013 : 09:07:46
|
quote:
Originally posted by susan828
...One of my friends says "Just do it". She says if I don't try, I'll just sit here and never get anywhere. How do you force yourself when you feel depressed and agitated?
That's the $64 question, I'm depressed now because I'm typing this on the crappy keyboard of my 9" netbook, I just lost half of a great (IMHO) post about TMS/depression. The short answer is DEPRESSION is an AFfECTIVE TMS symptom--it's TMS--think of it and treat it as TMS--like your friend says "JUST DO IT!"--the hard part is: "just do what?"--try MASTERING something--that will keep you amused and occupied for a lifetime.
g'luc!
tt/LSMFT |
|
|
|
susan828
USA
291 Posts |
Posted - 01/20/2013 : 09:23:41
|
Tom, the thing I am best at is piano. My father was a pianist and since his death, I couldn't play for 2 years. This was 11 years ago at this point and I feel like he isn't there to hear me and appreciate it. I have a beautiful picture of him playing piano right on the piano and I thought by looking at it, it will inspire me because that's what he would like me to be doing. Sometimes it works but it is SO hard for me to start. He was my audience and now I feel like I am playing for nobody...myself is not enough. I know that's wrong but hard to sink in that if I play more and get better, I will enjoy it more. I was so much better years ago.
I have received correspondence from one of our TMS psychologists who is booked but can refer me to someone who will take my insurance that starts in February. You had mentioned that it would be good and I agree. I am really looking forward to that. |
|
|
|
pspa123
672 Posts |
Posted - 01/20/2013 : 09:27:30
|
| Play because you love to, not to be good or not good. |
|
|
|
Racer
USA
129 Posts |
Posted - 01/20/2013 : 20:30:17
|
quote:
Hurry up is sure a sickness with me, and a lot of us. Ace's keys sure speak to it. I'm glad that it is real helpful to you to keep busy and relaxed.
I really don't get into the activities in a hurry, especially in the morning. At the same time, once I wake up, I avoid sitting in the bed for a long time keep thinking about the pain and the challenges. Focusing the mind elsewhere really helps. I have started trying with mild music, and do other activities (kinda "multi-tasking"), but in a relaxed way. |
|
|
|
tennis tom
USA
4749 Posts |
Posted - 01/20/2013 : 21:10:31
|
quote:
Originally posted by susan828
...He was my audience and now I feel like I am playing for nobody...myself is not enough. I know that's wrong but hard to sink in that if I play more and get better, I will enjoy it more. I was so much better years ago.
Maybe play at nursing homes, I think that you may find it rewarding and appreciated. After about two weeks of playing again you will get the rust off--after about two weeks of working at anything you can get pretty good at it including brain surgery, if you really apply yourself--not my brain of course, I volunteer Bryan's. 
Hope seeing the TMS therapist will be very helpful, I think it will be, let us know. |
Edited by - tennis tom on 01/20/2013 21:19:51 |
|
|
|
mala
Hong Kong
774 Posts |
Posted - 01/21/2013 : 04:21:51
|
quote:
When your mind, body and emotions are exhausted the amygdala is still firing and stress hormones still stimulating so the mind races agitatedly and watches each second pass. To free yourself from this catch22 situation you need a crutch to rest your mind on. And that crutch is to keep occupied and to do what you choose calmly and peacefully. This is not about ‘doing’ but ‘being’. The choice of what you do will enable the mind to be distracted from your symptoms and accepting and floating in what occupys it now. Your attention is focussed and all thoughts are repalced so that the amygdala can rest.
The idea is to do everything in a zen like manner in which you are present all the time. Rather than rushing to complete a task, you engage your mind & body & whatever other senses you can & enjoy the process. The task then becomes a pleasant one. Even a simple task like washing dishes. Instead of trying to get it done in a hurry while your mind is on something else you stand at the sink very purposefully, engage good posture & enjoy the action of washing , rinsing, drying each item & putting it away. Funnily enough it doesn't really take that much more time to complete the chore perhaps a few minute extra. This way you are never really exhausted. This applies to everything you do even brushing your teeth.
I know people who live their life this way. Everything is done with grace, purpose & in its own time. I admire the way they go about their daily life. A friend of mine is like that at home and also at work & she has an extremely calming effect on me.
We get too hyped up about everything we do, convince ourselves that we don't have time or we have too many things to do & it never ends. Sometimes we take on too much & its self inflicted. Prioritizing is important so that we don't feel overwhelmed or bogged down or even resentful.
Instead of focusing on the end product/result we should focus more on the process. That's what life is a -process so let's make it more enjoyable.. The end product is just death.
Mala
Mala Singh Barber. I'm on facebook. Look me up
|
Edited by - mala on 01/21/2013 04:29:44 |
|
|
|
mala
Hong Kong
774 Posts |
Posted - 01/21/2013 : 04:31:04
|
quote:
When your mind, body and emotions are exhausted the amygdala is still firing and stress hormones still stimulating so the mind races agitatedly and watches each second pass. To free yourself from this catch22 situation you need a crutch to rest your mind on. And that crutch is to keep occupied and to do what you choose calmly and peacefully. This is not about ‘doing’ but ‘being’. The choice of what you do will enable the mind to be distracted from your symptoms and accepting and floating in what occupys it now. Your attention is focussed and all thoughts are repalced so that the amygdala can rest.
The idea is to do everything in a zen like manner in which you are present all the time. Rather than rushing to complete a task, you engage your mind & body & whatever other senses you can & enjoy the process. The task then becomes a pleasant one. Even a simple task like washing dishes. Instead of trying to get it done in a hurry while your mind is on something else you stand at the sink very purposefully, engage good posture & enjoy the action of washing , rinsing, drying each item & putting it away. Funnily enough it doesn't really take that much more time to complete the chore perhaps a few extra minutes. This way you are never really exhausted. This applies to everything you do even brushing your teeth.
I know people who live their life this way. Everything is done with grace, purpose & in its own time. I admire the way they go about their daily life. A friend of mine is like that at home and also at work & she has an extremely calming effect on me.
We get too hyped up about everything we do, convince ourselves that we don't have time or we have too many things to do & it never ends. Sometimes we take on too much & its self inflicted. Prioritizing is important so that we don't feel overwhelmed or bogged down or even resentful.
Instead of focusing on the end product/result we should focus more on the process. That's what life is - a process, so let's make it more enjoyable.. The end product is just death.
Mala
Mala Singh Barber. I'm on facebook. Look me up
|
Edited by - mala on 01/21/2013 04:33:18 |
|
|
|
Ace1
USA
1040 Posts |
Posted - 01/21/2013 : 04:42:45
|
| Good job mala, your really understanding and your on the right track. Don't forget the affirmations will help accelerate the process of healing and and very important to help break these bad habits |
|
|
|
Racer
USA
129 Posts |
Posted - 01/21/2013 : 05:22:49
|
quote:
Rather than rushing to complete a task, you engage your mind & body & whatever other senses you can & enjoy the process. The task then becomes a pleasant one. Even a simple task like washing dishes.
Prioritizing is important so that we don't feel overwhelmed or bogged down or even resentful.
To add on... I have noticed the mind thinks faster in advance. While we are in the process of doing a task in a relaxed way, it does put a question by smirking at us and asking - "Okay, you are doing a task now, but what next once you done with this?". It does challenge us to bring back to square one. I too feel it is important to prioritize and plan for the day.. at the same time don't bother too much if you are unable to finish the tasks you planned for a day.
"An empty mind is a devil's workshop". This is true.
|
Edited by - Racer on 01/21/2013 05:30:54 |
|
|
|
mala
Hong Kong
774 Posts |
Posted - 01/21/2013 : 07:33:32
|
quote:
To add on... I have noticed the mind thinks faster in advance. While we are in the process of doing a task in a relaxed way, it does put a question by smirking at us and asking - "Okay, you are doing a task now, but what next once you done with this?"
That's why its important to bring the mind back into the 'now'. Every time the mind jumps ahead, try to gently coax it back to the present. I'm not saying that we have to live every single moment in the present. Positive thoughts about the future, anticipation of something which is joyful & happy, creative thinking all these are good too. However if your thoughts are such that lead to worry about what next, or fear or a sense of constant anxiety to complete something only to worry about something else then its good to train the mind to stop producing those anxious & negative thoughts by coming back into the moment.
Mala
Mala Singh Barber. I'm on facebook. Look me up
|
Edited by - mala on 01/21/2013 07:47:00 |
|
|
|
Ace1
USA
1040 Posts |
Posted - 01/21/2013 : 09:52:11
|
Hi mala,
I want to make one more point on this line. If you are too excited or in a rush even in a good way, it can still lead to symptoms. For example one of my nurses loved to read books. On her way to the book store she would get ibs symptoms, she had to calm herself down to stop them. |
|
|
|
bryan3000
USA
513 Posts |
Posted - 01/21/2013 : 17:39:57
|
Interesting point, Ace.
I've noticed that myself at times. Sometimes my attempts to build in relaxation into my day can create more tension than anything else.
It reminds me of dog training, a bit. We're taught that when we come home, we're not supposed to get super-excited and rile up the dog because
when you do, the dog then associates you leaving with the opposite. So, a calm, happy greeting when returning home is recommended.
This keeps the dog on an even keel about you leaving and returning.
We're just 2-legged dogs, essentially.  |
|
|
|
pspa123
672 Posts |
Posted - 01/22/2013 : 06:21:31
|
| There is a saying, I think it may be Spanish, slow down, we're in a hurry. |
|
|
|
Topic |
|
|
|
CFS Ashok Gupta coach
