New Program Day 10: Somatic Tracking II: Anxiety Strikes Back

[ChristopherB]

I like Alan's reminder that we're not trying to accomplish anything, other than watching the sensations and reminding the brain that there's nothing to fear. During the night, however, while lying in bed and the pain sensations become overwhelming, I'm curious what others do to get through? I'll often take a sleeping pill, but that's not really dealing with it.

 

[Susan Mary]

Hi, Christopher, yeah, that's a really important time! That's when our demons are loose! Stress is a habit, after all. And stress=pain.

I read a book called The Five Resets by Aditi Nerurkar, an MD who specializes in stress response because so many of her patients are trapped in it (from NPR interview). There's a lot of good stuff in there; the most useful piece that I found was on breathing. She encourages diaphragmatic breathing and offers a quick, in-the-moment breathing pattern that intentionally activates the parasympathetic nervous system. She calls it 4-7-8 breathing. Breathe in for 4 counts, hold for 7, out for 8. She recommends doing it 4 or 5 times. I use it any time I find myself ramping up on stress.

We've had a whole lifetime to ramp up our stress response. For some of us it may take a while to unravel. Don't give up!

 

[ChristopherB]

Hi, Christopher, yeah, that's a really important time! That's when our demons are loose! Stress is a habit, after all. And stress=pain.

I read a book called The Five Resets by Aditi Nerurkar, an MD who specializes in stress response because so many of her patients are trapped in it (from NPR interview). There's a lot of good stuff in there; the most useful piece that I found was on breathing. She encourages diaphragmatic breathing and offers a quick, in-the-moment breathing pattern that intentionally activates the parasympathetic nervous system. She calls it 4-7-8 breathing. Breathe in for 4 counts, hold for 7, out for 8. She recommends doing it 4 or 5 times. I use it any time I find myself ramping up on stress.

We've had a whole lifetime to ramp up our stress response. For some of us it may take a while to unravel. Don't give up!

Thank you Susan. I'm very familiar with the 4-7-8 and have had some success with it. I'll look at that book you mentioned. Thank you.

An audio book that I've found the most helpful is Jon Kabat-Zinn's Mindfulness Meditation for Pain Relief.

 

[Majihope]

this is a really awesome way to explain the anxiety in our bodies.
and about the first tale of fear i just want to say that it's easy to create a false safe zone by avoidaing our fears and along the way we believe that's good for us and that's the right way to live our life. but it's just a lie that we didn't know how we even start it.

 

[Lilaynie]

Do you have anything on feeling tired even after sleeping 8 or more hours? I’ve had tests done, apnea etc, and there is nothing wrong with me.

 

[Majihope]

Do you have anything on feeling tired even after sleeping 8 or more hours? I’ve had tests done, apnea etc, and there is nothing wrong with me.

yes i was struggling with that in my teenage years even if i slept more than 8 hours at night plus long nap at the day i never had a fresh morning. i never had any kind of insomnia but when i began my college it turned to insomnia so i think sleep problems( if there's nothing really organically or physically wrong) is mostly related to psychological problems and life style and habits etc. and what is matter is the quality of sleep. in the beginning of my depression i noticed that whenever i wake up suddenly at night my mind is always thinking and also when i open my eyes in the morning and that happened also when i took sleep meds they worked for the first two weeks then i started to feeling tired again in the morning also i need to mention that i have fibromyalgia so i always think that the pain caused this disruption in my sleep but i had days when i had pretty good sleep and fresh wake up.
so in my experience and through my little knowledge our anxious mind and also these things we are learning in this program playing a huge role in our sleep quality we are different individuals some may have a lot of problems but their sleep never get affected and some are.
i suggest to try different routines and habits before going to bed and in the morning when you wake up and after it, but the important thing don't push yourself so hard and get worried. little steps till you find your excellent routine and stick to it.

 

[richard_lt]

I really like that perspective too. This day reading and the part "worrying how i come across to others" in the video resonated so strongly, I went back and read this and the last day and am writing some reflections. This is so empowering.

Two things:

1.

"TMS arises in those with a strong mindbody connection. Not everyone can generate such powerful physical sensations with their brain."

What a totally cool and positive spin. I have this great skill that I haven't been using in a great way. But I can change that. It's actually quite a remarkable gift.

2.

"My favorite analogy for this comes from Star Wars: “The Force” is stronger in some than others.

And fear is the path to the dark side.

If you can change your relationship with fear, you can develop new neural pathways and deactivate your brain’s danger signals.

Like Yoda said, “You must unlearn what you have learned.”

Star Wars was the first film I ever saw at the cinema. My dad and my orange and white cuddly mouse queued with me through at least one viewing and then finally finally it was our turn.
I was Mindblown.

I came away obsessed by Star Wars and my first ever crush...Harrison Ford as Han Solo...happy sigh

Long way of saying I totally get this.

Use the Force Plum.

Seriously though little Plum must have laid down some strong neural circuits because I feel them now as I write this. Somatic Tracking has become something very tangible.

Thanks for the awesome explanations Alan. This program rocks.

 

[Anna832]

Hello everyone! I am new here and so grateful to have accidentally discovered this forum while trying to find a local practitioner who understands TMS/mindbody (in New Zealand that seems to be a hard ask!!).

I am loving this course so far, it’s been exceptionally enlightening.

In this post, you mention “Neural pathway pain arises in those with a strong mindbody connection”

I found this confusing because I have always considered myself to be very disconnected from my body, to the point that I struggle to engage certain muscles when doing physical therapy for example. Sometimes I just cannot get them to light up at all, sometimes it takes a while but I get a weak signal eventually….

Are you saying the connection is strong in a subconscious way?

thanks very much for your time!

 

[richard_lt]

I can relate to your story John, curiuos how you are doing now?

 

[JanAtheCPA]

I am loving this course so far, it’s been exceptionally enlightening.

In this post, you mention “Neural pathway pain arises in those with a strong mindbody connection”

I found this confusing because I have always considered myself to be very disconnected from my body, to the point that I struggle to engage certain muscles when doing physical therapy for example. Sometimes I just cannot get them to light up at all, sometimes it takes a while but I get a weak signal eventually….

Are you saying the connection is strong in a subconscious way?

Hello @Anna832 and welcome. I would say that the answer to your question is, "Sure, why not?". I would further suggest that focusing on this statement from Alan and about how or why you think it might not apply to you is probably a Sarno-style distraction, created by your brain to maintain doubt. Accept his statement as a possibility and let it go for now. It might be interesting at this point in your recovery, but I can assure you that at this point it isn't important to your recovery. You might remember it later with more understanding.