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15 years ago 0 +0 / -0 138

Creating a Stress Plan

I know I've been disconnected for a while and the exercise appears to be valuable. What 2 things are we picking? Activities to cope with each of the

five? Activities categorized within these five? Did you provide a list of possible activities in an earlier post? Pardon my confusion.

15 years ago 0 +0 / -0 138

Expressing yourself creatively, Part 1

I take great pleasure making music and would like to improve my skill level though I also realize that if I make it too laborious, I'll stop enjoying it so

much. I have computer programs that allow me to record multiple tracks, ie I can play and sing different instruments, plus the computer can

generate the sounds of other instruments. I'm sure it would sound pretty lame to people accustom to radio quality recordings but it is fun and people

get a big kick out of having themselves singing on CD.

The use of collage as a way of dreaming a little has been useful. Many forms of art therapy have been useful when I am unable to access some

trapped emotion and have too close a guard on it. An art therapy technique can find a way around and root it out.

I have used drum circles as recovery fodder. I am disappointed with the trend I see of people being taught formal structured drumming patterns (DJEMBE)

as I think the whole healing was from being free to allow your own rhythm to come out.

I had contemplated taking Salsa lessons but chickened out, excuses about money reality about discomfort with others.

I have had periods where the journal was used a lot, then it fades away for a while, maybe to come back.

I love to take coloured pencils and sketch the greenery, flowers trees. Appreciate just how intricate and beautiful they are.

The use of clay as an art therapy is quite fun though I've only used non drying clay myself, a space where one could muck about with the real clay would be fun

As you can see, I like to try lots of different things. For a while I considered myself an experimental cook just cause I would try so many different

healthy recipes.

15 years ago 0 +0 / -0 138

Antecedents & Consequences

I'm reminded of the Toastmaster's meetings I have attended. When I have the opportunity to prepare in advance and rehearse, it is

much easier. The more challenging thing is dealing with the impromptu speech where there is no warning and you have to think/react on your feet

When I have the luxury of knowing in advance I have something coming up, I would definitely psyche myself up hopefully not to the point of trigger panic

but I need to be more spontaneous in responding to triggers when they take me by surprise.

It is important too to clear off any unfinished business as I find I can end up being burdened by a number of events that happen close to each other

each one possibly upsetting me only slightly by themselves but as they build up and back up if I don't find a way to process them, it makes me more

vulnerable to an episode.

15 years ago 0 +0 / -0 138

Creating a Stress Plan

still not sure if I'm on track.

Physical: get a massage, stretch out stiff muscles

Mental: listen to relaxing music while thinking of nothing, develop and repeat positive affirmation statements

Social: call a caring friend to vent a little, send an email or post to forum

Diversions: play music, cook, listen to stand up comedians, listen to old radio plays, go for a walk

Spiritual: go out in nature, down by the ocean, consider that in the larger scheme of things, everything will work out for the best

15 years ago 0 +0 / -0 138

Improving Time Management Skills

Lately I've adopted the habit of scoping out a three or four week period on a spreadsheet grid. This allows me to ink in those thinks I really need to

attend like classes I've signed up for, professional appointments etc. Then I pencil in less strict items but just so I don't forget when they're on,

like on-line support groups or teleconferences for mental health recovery.

My problem arises when it comes to house chores. It is so far down the priority scale for me that often it rarely gets done. Groceries and Laundry

eventually becomes impossible to ignore but many other house chores get delayed unnecessarily long and end up contributing to a poor self

image when I see that I can't fulfill basic self care. Considering them "chores" probably doesn't help.

Thanks for the reminder about keeping a time log, that can really expose excessive wasting of time and reveal the difference between stated priority

and where actions are indicating actual priority.

Having experienced some sleep trouble in my life, I've heard very often to choose and stick to a set waking and retiring time to establish a firm

circadian cycle/rhythm and try not to cheat on holiday days, avoid naps which may screw things up and skip the late in the day caffiene hit.

On another topic, at work we have to bill clients by the hour plus account for every minute of the day through software that tracks everything we do,

that can really expose idle time or excessive "quadrant IV" activities to quote the seven habits moniker.

15 years ago 0 +0 / -0 138

Topic Title: Transitioning back to work, Part I

Well, I had tried to keep my anxiety from my supervisors. The first supervisor didn't quite understand and asked what it was that was causing the

anxiety and I couldn't get him to see that it was just there, work situations may have worsened it but not the full cause.

After numerous absences, all the supervisors and plenty of others, occupational health nurse, rehabilitation specialists, HR people. I've never

said anything directly to my coworkers but they have had to pick up the slack when I've had sudden absences.

I've undergone a number of graduated returns to work from a few hours a week working over a number of months back up to fulltime. I'm off to see

the doctor today and I know he will recommend full time again. I may try to convince him to keep me on partial hours but there is pressure

from the employer to get me back in the game but trying to do it too fast may result in losing me completely.

I had started out doing low level work via an agency that scored a job with an employer open to the idea of having workers with disability then worked up

to a more responsible position. When I got laid off, taking a volunteer position for few months helped transition up to returning to the part time

hours at work.

15 years ago 0 +0 / -0 138

Physical Energy Outlet

One of my support team was really on my case about not incorporating enough exercise into my weekly routine. He believed that raising my fitness level would have numerous positive effects which would contribute to my increased ability to cope. This weekend I did manage to get out on my bike twice and made it to a yoga class for the first time in many months. After already doing that, attending a QiGong class may have been too much but I was on a roll. It was good to find out about the QiGong class so I can decide whether to incorporate that into my routine. I have a strong need for structure so specific class times help. Going to the gym during lunch hour is better than "whenever". I went to a physiotherapist who has suggested that swimming would be the best solution for back troubles that I chalk up as a contributing factor in my anxiety. But I have yet to make the effort to check out the closest pool. Stay tuned for my next success posting.

15 years ago 0 +0 / -0 138

triggers, lasting effects

I was caught off guard yesterday when a member of the rehabilitation staff phoned me and began questioning whether I was 100% prepared to be back at work full time. In addition to setting me off shaking after the phone call, I can feel the lasting effects today, a day later. Placing that seed of doubt or perhaps reinforcing it was not the call I needed.

I found that immediately calling somebody to talk about it provided some relief and I even expressed it later at my communications class though now I'm concerned it was too personal an event to share with the whole class.

I hope today to focus on the tasks at hand and not be distracted by this likely well meaning person who has shocked me.

15 years ago 0 +0 / -0 138

Headlines in Mental Health, Part I

I had a peculiar existence at high school. It was like I was trying to please as many groups as possible. Some might say I was one of the brainiacs taking all the science and math courses. Others may think I leaned towards athletism participating in the track and basketball teams. Then there were the less savoury groups that I tried to stay chummy with.

I can recall when I would be faced with people from conflicting groups and realized just how much of a varied mask I would wear depending on which facade I was projecting. In many ways, my tendency to isolate started early and using avoidance as a coping technique showed up too.

15 years ago 0 +0 / -0 138

Did You Know?

I link the worst of my symptoms to a major physical injury that left me with less confidence, attempting a career change where I set enormous expectations on myself and some unrealistic expectations about how other people "should" behave.

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