List Your Best 3 Tips for Recovery So Far

Here are the top 3 things that have given me hope and progress, recently. What are yours?

• Pick something fairly small that’s hard to do, and do it every day. It will get easier.

• Have a schedule. Don’t leave empty time to just ruminate about TMS.

• Find something fun to do, and incorporate it into your life.

 

Get outside/in nature- my symptoms are always better when I’m out of the house. Lately I’ve been trying to go in the ocean everyday, at first there was some discomfort but now it’s just pure enjoyment. I used to love body surfing as a kid so doing that again just brings something out of me, nostalgia doesn’t have to be a depressing thing. We had happy memories once, we can make them again even while in pain. Plus I get to face my fear of sharks , if I can do that I can confront my symptoms!

Evidence log-so important for flare ups. It’s very easy to get lost in the spiral of this being utterly fucked, having something tangible to look back on and say holy crap, I was here a few weeks/months/years ago and got through it.

I agree with your 3rd, something that brings joy. Lately I’ve been playing fetch with my family dog morning and night when it’s not too hot. He’s my only friend right now, sad as that is to say, but it’s nice to see him happy and tired from playing. And idk something about being around non human animals gives me hope, they don’t dwell or catastrophize, they live in the moment, while still being capable of all the emotions we are.

 

That is fantastic! It sounds like you’re doing some great things.

 

1. Reading fun fiction books
2. Spending time with my husband on dates (We try to go somewhere once a week)
3. Gardening

My list consist of bringing more joy to my life right now. I've learned about TMS so I don't need to learn anymore. I'm at the point of relearning to find joy in the little things in my life right now!

 

Staying active & exercising despite pain. At my age it's important to have strength so that I can live an independent & fulfilling life for as long as possible.
It's also a requirement if you truly believe in TMS. I have always believed that those who heal are those who resume all physical activity once they learn about TMS because they believe that there is nothing wrong with them physically. If I stay physically strong, I can continue to do the things I love like travelling, hiking & meeting friends. These are so important for my overall quality of life.

Taking some pain meds when needed. I used to be so anti meds. It was my perfectionist & controlling personality. But now if my body says it needs a panadol occasionally, I just do it. I have changed that mindset from meds being a DIM to a SIM.

Not journalling, (I have been there done that) but just listing things that come up that are TMS related. Emotions, feelings, tendencies, observations, insights etc.

 

Evidence log-so important for flare ups. It’s very easy to get lost in the spiral of this being utterly fucked, having something tangible to look back on and say holy crap, I was here a few weeks/months/years ago and got through it.

Agree Agree Agree!!!!

Lately I’ve been playing fetch with my family dog morning and night when it’s not too hot. He’s my only friend right now, sad as that is to say, but it’s nice to see him happy and tired from playing. And idk something about being around non human animals gives me hope, they don’t dwell or catastrophize, they live in the moment, while still being capable of all the emotions we are.[/QUOTE]

Love this.

 

Three daily things for the body, mind and soul:

- spending time outside, including exercise, exposure to the sun, gardening, hiking, walking etc. Having a clean nutritious and simple diet;
- hobbies, no smart phone time, limited time online/screens, introspection, reading meaningful books, silence for a few hours/day, listening to soft music to soothe the mind;
- meditation, contemplation, prayer, even mindedness. Staying away from dramas and craziness as much as possible.

 

I started doing this about 7 years ago with my son's dog . It IS a lot of fun, and it makes them feel good. A Dog trainer told me that working dogs need to have a 'job' and if they aren't given one, they will invent one. My dog thinks her job is to play with me. When I come home each day , she already has her stuffed Pig in her mouth. She also keeps me from getting depressed by pushing me around through the day...keeps me on schedule.
It's hard to get into a bad place when someone this happy is around you.

 

Rabscuttle, I’m sorry you don’t have friends right now. That is sad. But I’m so glad you have your dog! They are better than humans. ❤️ All my real life friends are gone now too. It’s hard.

 

1- going out for a walk / take the dog for a walk
2- somatic awareness / mindful practices
3- playing music

 

So so true!

 

1. Being messy - allowing myself to be messy and feel like shit and not getting so personal about it
2. Loving-kindess meditation especially while walking. I love being around trees and sending loving energy out into the world and to myself. Almost always come out feeling lighter and more joyful
3. Breathwork again! This got lost along the way at some point but I am reminding myself of how good it feels to be full of air

Mostly the big shift and the one that I work on inhabiting is not trying to change myself. Accepting exactly where I am at, warts and all.