Day 8 Update on progress

I have just read peghanson story and am enjoying reading all the success stories. My treatment so far has been a bit up and down, like a lot of others no doubt. Like I posted the othe day, it was a bad day, but it reinforced my belief, especially since after I got through the morning yesterday I had a great day. This was in part I think to 'having the day off'. I think that was a great idea, and I do think you can over do it, maybe that's why it felt kind of liberating. I got home from work, turned some favourite music on, and danced through my chores, even picked the cat up and did a little boogie! She then disappeared due to my singing haha. Does anyone else find music helpful? And while meditating this morning, I came across a thought that in the mornings, when I'm trying to re-condition my self, that I'm not so tense, or uptight, or pissed off, or upset, or stressed. I'm a lot more relaxed, even though it's still painful, I've mellowed a bit. Is that part of the healing? That I'm moving forward?

 

Hi, scrat. I think you are definitely moving ahead on healing. I also find music to be very therapeutic (and I also dance to it). Taking a day off from thinking about pain or its emotional causes can be good. We need to give our minds some time off from thinking. A good way to do this is through the meditation practice of the Relaxation Response.

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 that is not caused by anything structural.

The RR, practiced once or twice a day for 10, 15, or 20 minutes has a profound positive effect on the subconscious mind, relieving or curing everything from anxiety, hypertension, headaches, fatigue, nervousness, dizziness, high blood pressure, insomnia, stomach problems, all forms of pain including backaches, abdominal pain, muscle pain, neck, arm, and leg pain, and relieves side affects from cancer and AIDS.

RR is like Transcendental 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 practiced, before a meal, and 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 “Calm” or “Peace,” or add the faith or spiritual element by saying a favorite religious word or prayer. Breathe naturally or incorporate Deep Breathing by breathing in through the mouth to inflate the stomach, suck in the stomach while holding the breath for a few seconds, then say the word when you exhale through the mouth.

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 yourself, “Oh, well,” and go back to repeating your chosen word.

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





and this one which can put you to sleep:



and

 

Thanks so much Walt. It's always good to hear you're on the right track cause sometimes it doesn't feel like it. I do find I'm finding myself a lot with meditation which I think is a good thing.
Have a wonderful day x

 

Hey Scrat
I agree it was nice to have a day off yesterday! I thought really no work?!

Music does make me feel better too, I just forget to put it on sometimes in the moment so thanks for the reminder!

I can't find the link to Peghanson story, do you know it please?

 

Hi Nanna, music can bring so many emotions too.
The Peghanson story was the educational read for day 8, and you should be able to write her name in the search box too.
Cheers x

 

Wonderfully helpful Walt!! Just viewed and practiced all the videos. Thank you!