Homework: "take It Easy"

[ghotiff]

I'm glad it helped @shimmerz, it was a real eye-opener for me also when I learnt about it.

 

[GWhizz]

That's really insightful @ghotiff. Thanks for posting that

 

[Justmehere]

Thank you for the great ideas and insights everyone!

I spent three days trying to take some time each day to take it easy. It helped a lot. I was able to relax a bit and come out of the extremely hyperventilate state I was in. For awhile, I even felt like my old self again, or at least like I was fully enjoying the time, instead of just trying to endure my PTSD symptoms. I ended up with a horrible cold today, so now my body is somewhat forcing me to continue the taking it easy homework... Except I have two projects that now have to be done, that I put off until now so I could settle down my anxiety. This challenge has made me realize that I'm not very good at accepting my own human limits. I've just been so limited at times...

@y5L - what a fun idea to audition for a play! I hope it goes well. I tend to over analyze things a lot too. Friends have told me on more than one occasion that I am over thinking things too much! You reminded me of my love of music. I did at one point turn on some really wonderful classical music the past couple of days.

@ghotiff -

So, the trick for me is to recognize between genuinely wanting to do something, as compared to feeling like I should do something.

This is a very helpful distinction and it was rattling around in my brain the past couple of days as I worked on trying to take it easy.
I find the word 'should' very telling. If in my thinking the word 'should' ever comes to mind, then its an activity that I am feeling obligated to do, and not one I want to do. I find it easier to notice a 'should' if I talk out aloud to someone (or something) about what I am thinking of doing.

The other thing I look out for is 'boredom'. If I need to take it easy I start with the least engaging activity possible (eg lying down) and if I don't change that activity until I feel a strong sense of 'boredom'. Boredom is the signal that I 'want' to do something more involved. I then try the second least engaging activity on my list (eg watching a repeat of a safe TV program)... and I again wait until I'm bored before trying the next activity (eg zentangles). Sometimes I find just thinking about trying something more involved is enough to remove the boredom, and if so, I just think about doing something (and don't actually do anything). Other times (when I'm in a better place) I realise that I would still be bored watching TV so I move straight to zentangles.

This is genius! Thank you for sharing this.

You got me thinking about how much I have disowned my own "wants" and how to reclaim them...

@GWhizz -

Other things I enjoy are baking, cooking, walking, meeting friends etc, but these things in themselves can be draining if I'm not genuinely in the mood - other times, they help put me in a good mood.

I had a great time making dinner with a friend this weekend, but I was so nervous on the way there I nearly canceled 4 times. I went through with it, and it was wonderful. I felt so light when we were together just giggling about dinner and life. It's tough to figure out when something will help feel better and when it's just going to be draining.

It's easy to forget to nurture and care for ourselves regularly but remember it's most important that you of all people are kind to yourself. You are worthy and deserving of this, think of it as an investment in yourself everytime you help yourself restore. We all need to recharge. I hope this makes some sense to you :)

Very wise words. Thank you. :)

@Springer - Mindfulness - this really helps me a lot. I love to swim! I scheduled some time to get away and go to the local pool this week great idea. I like your ideas about drawing too... I'm not very good at representational forms, but doodling can be almost meditative.

@shimmerz - :hug: I felt irritated just hearing my therapist tell me to take it easy! It is so hard to endure sensory overload and relax...

@Snowwhite - yes, I think it is possible to do both, at least I am beginning to figure out that it is possible... I think I realized how much time I do spend just managing symptoms and how much I miss life outside of having to do that. I love your ideas to find a good book and organizing happy photos, and all the other good ideas - thank you for the suggestions!

 

[GWhizz]

@Justmehere - really glad you took that time out with your friend to have dinner and that you felt up to going through with it. I also have recently taken to mindfulness, actually I did a walking meditation last night when I felt stressed and it definitely centred me. Hope you can prioritise yourself more from now on and set aside time each day to do something (or not do anything at all as the case may be!) to help yourself feel good