Talk Therapy Alongside Alternatives. Thoughts?

[ladee]

Thank you from my heart @bring em all in !!!
Written down and now I will see if my library has them.
If not...I will find a way to get them..thanks again!

 

[VioletButterfly]

@bring em all in - Thank you for the suggested readings and websites.

I like this thread. :) Lots of good ideas and information.

There are also a couple of threads on nutritional healing and the power of exercise, yoga and meditation somewhere on the board that might be of help to those wanting to enhance recovery via those routes. I absolutely see the wisdom in eating to support nervous, endocrine and adrenal systems, and in exercise to manage anxiety and a busy mind (I have both!). Walking is a goal of mine. I like being in nature as well, so it's a win win. For pain, it's stretching and building strength slowly. Working on yoga and ballet poses to stretch and build strength. I've been told that swimming is best for all kinds of joint pain and strains, but I don't have an indoor pool around here and I'm not getting into a swim suit right. Nope. Building slowly in this regard.

Keeping all of this in mind, I've kind of set up a mini-program with goals for each week and each day in this regard. I can tweak it as I go. I used to have a month's calendar that I set up on a wall in my dining room where I'd assign each day a piece of construction paper that I'd decorated. Then, I'd give myself little stickers for each accomplishment and put them up on the corresponding day of the month. (I hope that makes sense - visualize a big calendar on your wall w/ a piece of construction paper for each day of the month). I think I'm going to set that up again. I found it very motivational and am hoping I can get back on board with that again. Another way of staying present and connected with myself. Also a way to acknowledge what I'm doing to help myself. To evaluate trends, yes, but not in a punitive way but as a cheerleader. It seems to be worth a try.

 

[ladee]

@AslinSparx , I want to tell you how grateful I am for your post. I have not been motivated or excited about anything in a very long time.

Doing grief work. And this is the jolt I needed. Shared in my earlier post how timely Your thread is...
When the student is ready..the teacher appears...some Zen thing I say all the time
Feels so good to feel alive and motivated.
And thank everyone who has shared.
Great thread!

 

[AslinSparx]

Ahhh....this topic really excites me!! I live in an amazing area that created a time bank in...

I love that you've tried so much over the years. Alternative therapies is totally where it's at for me, alongside my conventional treatments also. The time bank in your local community sounds so lovely. What a terrific idea. Share the love I say!

Another great book worth looking at (I've just started reading it but will start on the breathing exercises tomorrow) is a book called The Presence Process by Micheal Brown. It's a little repetitive but its a self facilitation procedure that initiates emotional growth, development and integration. He teaches how to process emotions by being in the present through breath. So far, a very captivating read. Check out reviews online. I've also been giving binaural beats a go. Has anyone tried listening and meditating to them?

 

[AslinSparx]

@bring em all in Such great books you've listed, have read them all except The Body Keeps Score. Looking into it being my next purchase, but am already reading 2 others! I love reading and researching as much as I can. BOOKS- yum!

 

[bring em all in]

ladee- BTW amazon.com has used books listed as well as new. Body Keeps the Score as low as $8, Tapping Solution $2.84, Childhood Disrupted $5.90, and Getting Past Your Past $6.47. Maybe that would be a more budget friendly alternative if your library doesn't have them.

I don't know if this would apply to anyone, but I am currently reading: The Emotional Incest Syndrome: What to do When a Parent's Love Rules Your Life by Dr. Patricia Love. It is a beyond awesome book regarding but one of my traumatic experiences, and it's helped me (along with EFT) face honestly (albeit fearfully) with the issue.

Interesting you mentioned the Zen quote. I am a Buddhist and just the other day I came across this explanation- the teacher is always there from the start- it's just that when the time is right the student is able to see her/him.

 

[VioletButterfly]

My calendar is up on the wall and ready to record my mind-body-spirit approach to healing. Feeling encouraged today; hope you are too! :)

 

[bring em all in]

Thanks, I am feeling encouraged. Major breakthrough in therapy this week- felt like hell but it's good it happened. I've had a little more energy and actually got a few things done in the house since then.