What Do You Do To Comfort Yourself?

[Leah Morgan]

Last night I started to freak out one of my friends massaged my palm and it actually worked. I managed to sit in a pub garden and not flip out but my hand was constantly in contact with hers. I'm lucky to have good friends. It doesn't work if you do it yourself.

 

[Chava]

I really relate to not even being able to comfort myself. I've had to work on this simply being okay...like I have lots of shame over even allowing any self comfort. I was interested in a tiny stuffed animal on a shelf in my therapist's office (of course the smallest one). She was willing to get it for me but I wanted to get it myself. It nearly the whole hour to drag myself on the floor, stopping, looking away from the stuffed animal, just needing to rest, lots of tears. My therapist understood this as a process in itself so stayed close and brought along Kleenexes. In the end I was a few inches away but could not get it so allowed my therapist to give it to me (she also let me take it home). I think I needed that long and uncertain process and support. Now I can hold a stuffed animal for comfort!!! (slow going here!)

Certain sounds are soothing so I have gotten pretty good at allowing that. But also, going for a walk is often helpful because my worst feelings involve feeling stuck or trapped or immobilized...and just getting out and moving can pull me out of a descent into that pit. I still struggle with comfort and can't tolerate sadness really, but these are things that I know help. So it's a start.

 

[AngelPaws14]

I was thinking today about those small feelings of sadness, anxiety, etc. that come but build into...

I exercise. It's my way to avoid having to take any meds, which actually make things worse. So if I can catch myself early enough or find will to react I go walk, jog, swim, do workouts on my Wii Fit, or go to the gym. It helps me achieve a natural tired that's one I can handle and it calms me enough to either nap or carry on the rest of the day till I get triggered or whatnot. I was really into health and fitness before I had my first surgery. I was in the best shape of my life at that point and miss it so much. For me at this time exercise is the only thing I have to help and I'm dependent on it now! Hoping a service dog is in my future. One step at a time, that's my life right now...if only I could make all those steps forward though!

 

[Changing4Best]

Well, they don't call it comfort food for nothing, but beware, it can and will make you fat! I was on meds that caused weight gain as well and I went from 135 pounds to 195 in 4 months!

 

[AngelPaws14]

Well, they don't call it comfort food for nothing, but beware, it can and will make you fat! I was o...

What was the name of the med you were on? I was on one too that caused weight gain and I was sick and throwing up but gained 8lbs in the 3 days of taking it and kept gaining till a few days after going off. I also had so horrible side effects and my entire body just puffed up kinda so made me look like I gained more weight. It was called Zyprexa. I'm super sensitive to medications and 99% of the time I'll get all or most of the side effects and usually have to stop when they are too bad or don't go away.

 

[Changing4Best]

Yup, that was the same medicine so there you have it. It causes unbelievable weight gain. @AngelPaws14 .

 

[Gadgie]

I once recorded the birds singing at dusk on my I/Phone, it was total silence apart from their singing.

When I get all wound up or upset, I play that through my earphones and it helps me a great deal to relax and calm down.

 

[AngelPaws14]

Yup, that was the same medicine so there you have it. It causes unbelievable weight gain.

Yeah it was crazy. Weight gain is bad on my IBS-C and since then I been experiencing much more pain bloating and issues. I'm working on getting back to my safe weight zone but since that med it's been miserable!

 

[AngelPaws14]

I once recorded the birds singing at dusk on my I/Phone, it was total silence apart from their singing....

That sounds nice! I miss being closer to the country. Houses are popping up all over and we live right on the edge of town... Well used to be more open and quiet. Country back road drives will have to do till I can move out on my own again! I love the peace and beautiful of living outside the city!

 

[Changing4Best]

@AngelPaws14 Yes, I have had an awful time with trying to get my weight back down too. The closest I can get to now is 156. The worst part is, I never had a weight problem before taking that horrible medicine. I'd been 135 for years!

 

[AngelPaws14]

@AngelPaws14 Yes, I have had an awful time with trying to get my weight back down...

Yeah I hadn't really had one either. This has been the hardest as since my gall bladder surgery eating and gaining weight was hard so that med threw me for a loop and I had to work hard and struggled emotionally big time with it since my stomach pain has been a big issue. Trying to tell Drs was hard because if not explained just right it sounds like I just wanted to stay skinny. But it's not about the size I am just the stomach pain and issues. My safe weight zone is between 117-119lbs and so you can see why it would seem like I just wanted to be skinny, but that's not how it is. I've been that weight since 2007 and never had this much trouble till my brain surgery and this med that screwed everything up. Luckily I noticed the problem fast (not hard when your in a lot of pain) and tried a lot to get my weight back down and reduce some pain. Not there yet but I'm trying still. Can't give up if I want to stop the pain and suffering.

 

[Philippa]

Cuddling up with my cat seems to be really soothing lately, and I also watch these awesome reiki transmissions on you tube which have been so helpful in releasing stress and tension when I can't afford a massage. I also cuddle myself and that helps to release oxytocin around my body. Breast massage...as crazy as that sounds really helps with that also. I have a special oil I use that is so relaxing. Baths and crystals help a lot. Nothing beats a cuddle up with a close friend or someone I like, but that doesn't happen too often. I'd like that to change. Also, mashed potato is supreme comfort food.