ID'ing triggers? Like depressive triggers? Such as:
- "I'm concerned my job is measuring up." - "I'm worried I'm burning out." - "I'm worried I'll not accomplish some big things in my life such as writing a book (about what?) or visiting India."
Doing healthy things - I feel better when I'm engaged in projects outside my routine. Sometimes they end up taking over every waking moment but at least I feel better. Depression is a real challenge because it saps energy, thus I need these projects before the bad times to carry me through because starting something in the depths is very difficult.
-- I'm very good about taking my meds and rarely miss a day. In fact if I miss a day on Cymbalta I feel "spacey" so there's a real negative incentive to not forget.
I have a GoLite but I don't use it often enough. Will start.
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Yes, our bodies give us a lot of hints. I am amazed how well I feel after a vacation. It's as if I have been literally sick from constant stress and a the time off gives me a chance to feel like I should again. Stress is part of life, but I allow it to build up too much.
There is a very fine balance and it doesn't take me much to fall off the edge and feel bad. Too little sleep. Too long of a workout. Not enough money in checking account... Drinking is a bad one too but I've given it up for good. Sometimes I feel it's not fair that others are so much more resilient than me.
I should feel good about myself that I've made it through two major life stressors this year, divorce and a Chapter 13, but it's been tough and now little things are taking it out of me.
"My actions are my only true belongings. I cannot escape the consequences of my actions. My actions are the ground upon which I stand." Thich Nhat Hanh
I don't know Dog... the triggers you're talking about sound more like stress and anxiety. And too much of either brings its own set of challenges.
I've heard depression is repressed anger. A trigger might be seeing your children's toys while they're gone and feeling an emptiness inside. A trigger might also be anything that causes emotional pain. I used to fall apart when I talked to my former spouse during the divorce. I could handle a 48 second phone call before my emotions took over. I learned to email instead. Talking on the phone with him 'hurt' me, wasn't healthy. It was a process of finding what worked for me, what helped me become healthier, what it took for me to be in the best place possible to make good decisions.
Another thing I go by for decision making is:
If it seems right, the answer is yes. If it seems wrong, the answer is no. If I waffle or can't make a decision, the answer is no.
And of course, the Four Agreements that are listed on my signature make life much easier.
I've found that simple things make life much easier. And that I am my own worst enemy. When I face what I fear, rather than skate around it, everything gets a whole lot better.
Hey, O I'll probably be joining you over at this forum in a few weeks. Sitch is crashing and burning on Fast Forward.
Look into The Ultramind Solution by Mark Hymen. His Amino Acid-specific quizzes in there can point exact missing/misfiring neurotransmitters and the appropriate supplements to take. I did the quizzes and followed up w/blood tests and the book was dead-on.
I first started on Lexapro even though I tend to avoid pharmaceuticals; but I needed immediate relief so I was willing to temporarily compromise nutritional principles. But my way of looking at it was I wasn't depressed because my brain was somehow deficient in Lexapro or Cymbalta, or Zoloft. That just makes no sense. So I did some research and found this book.
The Amino Acid supplements have done wonders (and are inexpensive) and Dr. is weaning me off meds.
Speaking of meds - meditation, that is, I assume you practice it. This year I discovered Dr. Jeffrey Thompson, a pioneer in music, imbeding pulses in sound and inducing Alpha, Theta, Delta and a newly-discovered Gamma Brainwaves (40Hz) discovered in Tibetan Monks.
Anyway any one of his CDs - I now own 6 - have taken my meditation to indescribable heights, depths, deep peace and bliss,
Check one or two out, if you're so inclined.
Hang in there.
Gardener
"My soul, be satisfied with flowers, With fruit, with weeds even; but gather them In the one garden you may call your own." Cyrano deBergerac
Thank you for the suggestions. A lot going on this weekend with kids so I didn't have a chance to respond.
"My actions are my only true belongings. I cannot escape the consequences of my actions. My actions are the ground upon which I stand." Thich Nhat Hanh
Dog wasn't happy about comment from the brass last week.
Dog told them straight up March soon after bomb that there were some big family issues going on and my hours would be down. And they were. Not huge amount but diminished. "Oh, we like you so much dog. You're like family."
A few times during the summer they said I was doing great (Dog can be a good actor when he needs to).
Last week, one asked if I was, "back to normal yet?" "Getting there" was my reply. "Well you are behind on hours and I hope you can catch up" in a snappy tone.
It was a significant backtrack from their previous state of mind.
Dog finds it hard to work and tolerate stress (and that was before the Div and Ch13) but will continue forward.
"My actions are my only true belongings. I cannot escape the consequences of my actions. My actions are the ground upon which I stand." Thich Nhat Hanh
Focus on what you can control and let go of the rest. When the malaise starts push it aside with action. Face what you fear most first. Everything else comes much easier.
It's something I try and do. When I succeed the results are great.
Keep putting one paw in front of the other. It's progress, not perfection.
"My actions are my only true belongings. I cannot escape the consequences of my actions. My actions are the ground upon which I stand." Thich Nhat Hanh
Tomorrow AM Dog gets his foot fixed. Short surgery but I'll be off work for a day or three.
The She has offered to help the Dog get to and from the chop shop, do things around the house tomorrow.
--
Dog would have rather had someone else do it but the She offered and Dog doesn't have anyone else he could ask without feeling a little awkward.
Not going to worry about it.
"My actions are my only true belongings. I cannot escape the consequences of my actions. My actions are the ground upon which I stand." Thich Nhat Hanh
Part of the process is learning how to ask for help, even if it makes you uncomfortable. People are there for you if you allow them to. That was a pleasant surprise I learned during the divorce process.
It's kind that she volunteered to help out during this time.
I'll let you know how it goes. Gotta get up early tomorrow.
"My actions are my only true belongings. I cannot escape the consequences of my actions. My actions are the ground upon which I stand." Thich Nhat Hanh
