Tag: meditation

Sunny Mood

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Let’s talk about managing stress and anxiety.

My expertise comes with no pedigree as I’m only speaking for myself based on my own experiences and results. So, take that for what you will, but certainly don’t take it for advice.

It’s no secret that I struggle with anxiety and depression. Or maybe it is because I feel like I hide it relatively well and that people just think I’m an antisocial bitch. While not entirely wrong I prefer the term “pro-solitude” to “antisocial.” I don’t know how much of the anxiety and depression are related to fibromyalgia or rheumatoid arthritis, but my moods and my pain levels tend to run around in circles after one another.

At the start of March I decided to do something about it. I’m not a prescription seeker and generally try to find more natural remedies to the things that ail me. Still, I’d noticed that when I’d take my tramadol for pain, it would lighten my mood. It turns out this wasn’t my imagination or just my being happier with less pain, it’s a real thing. Again, I’m no doctor so if you are interested in why this is, please read HERE. What this showed me was that there is an imbalance in my brain that responds to treatment.

I did a lot of research and reading on supplements that help alleviate anxiety, depression, and pain. I also did a lot of research on what supplements could have potential interactions with my prescriptions. I finally settled on Sunny Mood by Irwin Naturals. (Nope, not endorsed by them, but if you go by how much my husband talks it up since he started taking it you’d think he was.) It works. It just does. I even brought it up to my doctor and she gave me her stamp of approval to keep on truckin’.

Besides being able to better handle stress at work, I don’t cry every day anymore, and I’m not taking as many pain killers. Last week I put on the NCAA DI Track & Field West Prelims and all through the planning process leading up and all the way to the second to the last day of the meet I didn’t break down. I snapped over golf cart keys on Friday morning, but no one is perfect. These gigantic yellow pills have been a saviour.

Besides the addition of Sunny Mood I’ve also been practicing presence and mindfulness and studying Buddhist philosophy. I’m calming the fuck down and it has me reevaluating so many things in my life. But that’s another post.

The Re-Build

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This happens every so often. It happens to everyone and we all have different ways to deal. Since getting angry, feeling lonely, fighting frustration, and obsession seem to be failing me in the self-help department I’ve decided to flip it and reverse it. To say I’m seeking enlightenment makes me sound like I’m going to give up my first-world lifestyle in lieu of a life lived at a secluded monastery on a high Tibetan mountaintop (which actually sounds pretty amazing!) I mean practical enlightenment that I can practice and carry with me everyday in this insane place we call America.

About 10 years ago (give or take) I was first introduced to the Eckhart Tolle bestseller The Power of Now by a friend who recognized that I was in a state of constant struggle in my life. Things weren’t particularly rosy at the time and I wasn’t handling it well. Reading this for the first time I was struck by the absolute true-ness to his teachings and the ease with which I was able to take back some semblance of functional adulthood in application. But without practice, you lose your abilities. I let the practice of presence slide, which is incredibly easy to do when you are surrounded by those who are just as f*cked up as you are.

That was about the time I began practicing yoga. I felt good in those days. But again, I let that practice slip away. Part of it was financial. Part was because I had an unwanted admirer. I loved my studio, the teachers, the feeling I would get before, during, and after class.

A lot has happened since I first started to think about enlightenment. So much has happened. And now I’m seeing that this is a pursuit that I absolutely must continue. Changing my mindset in how I react to my life situations and all the stresses that come up from health problems, to relationship issues, to busy times at work will only make me a happier and healthier person. If my being would spring to life by simply practicing presence, stillness, and non-reactiveness then why on Earth wouldn’t I!? It is free, accessible at all times, and changes everything. It is already within my power to do.

I’m re-reading The Power of Now. I’m also practicing meditation every day. I’ve been going back to my beautiful yoga studio. I’m cultivating an extensive reading list of books to read. I’m de-cluttering my digital life. I’m strengthening myself from the inside. I’m opening myself up to the things that are and following through with presence and grace to reach my goals. This is a lifelong journey.

So light your incense and bang that temple gong. It’s about to get metaphysical.