Tornado of emotions

i have been reading Dr. Sarno's books and have been doing the structured education program for the past 2 weeks. I started to tap into some repressed emotions like rage sadness etc and now I feel like I'm caught in a tornado of emotions. Kind of like I opened Pandora's box. Lots and lots f stuff rising to the surface. It's a bit scary how much there is. Have other people experienced this? Any advice? It feels like it's taking over my life.

 

I recall this happening to me too. My best advice is to take it slow. Only spend an hour a day reading or working on your TMS. Otherwise "working on TMS" can take over your life in the same way your TMS symptoms have.

Congratulations on taking your first steps and having emotions come up. You are well on your way to recovery. Just hang in there and take it one step at a time.

 

Thanks Ellen. You are likely right. I've thrown myself headfirst into this process. I will take your advice and slow down a bit.

 

Hi, Freeange. Ellen is very right. Try not to spend more than an hour a day on TMS thinking and the SEProgram. It just keeps you thinking about your symptoms. It's better to take it slowly, and do not think about it before going to bed or in bed. Take at least an hour before bedtime to relax. I like watching relaxation Youtube videos on TV or my computer an hour before bedtime. One of my favorites is



Also, meditation is very helpful in TMS healing.


Meditation is a time-honored way of relaxing the mind and relieving anxiety, mental stress, headaches, and even physical pain. There are many ways to practice meditation, but many consider the most successful to be a technique called the Relaxation Response (RR).


It is a wonderful way to practice TMS Mindbody Healing because it changes harmful thinking in the subconscious mind which Dr. John Sarno says causes pain in many people.


The RR, practiced daily for a few minutes has a profound positive effect on the subconscious mind, relieving or curing everything from inflammation and pain to headaches, stomach problems, insomnia, high blood pressure, to even aiding in recovery from cancer.


RR is like Tanscendental Meditation which is taught by TM specialists who charge hundreds or thousands of dollars. But the RR is free and you can do it yourself.


It is done 20 minutes once or twice a day, before a mealand works best if not practiced within two hours after a meal. I do it in bed before arising in the morning and again in bed before falling sleep. Often, I only do it 5 or 10 minutes and it works to calm me and put me to sleep.


Just sit in a chair (or lie in bed in the morning or at bedtime), close your eyes, don’t listen to any music, and try to avoid outside noises. Let your mind think of a word such as "One " which has no real meaning or association. Or say a calming word such as “Peace,” or add the faith or spiritual element by saying a favorite religious word. Breathe in through the nose, hold the breath for a few seconds, then say the word when you exhale.


Say the word silently over and over. At the end of the 10 to 20 minutes, picture and feel yourself as you were when you felt your best, and in a place where you felt that way.


When distracting thoughts arise during the RR, as they will, just tell yourslf, “Oh, well,” and go back to repeating your chosen word. Transcendental Meditation teachers will charge hundreds of dollars to give practitioners a word, but the word you choose yourself in the RR works just as well.


There are several free videos on Youtube about the Relaxation Response. I especially recommend these two by Dr. Benson:

 

Thanks Walt. I have definitely been overdoing it so I will slow down. I'm off work on disability right now and I guess I have channeled all my ambition into this program instead

Odd coincidence but I just read Herbert Benson's book on the relaxation response and have been practicing it daily. Thanks for the video!