Options when we feel torn between meeting our responsibilities and taking care of ourselves
It's been a crazy month. It's been wonderful and exhausting...and wonderful. My daughter and 14-month-old grandson have been visiting. I watched a sleep deprived young mom trying to figure how to get some rest with a very active baby. I watched a strong-willed, active little boy insist on living his life to the fullest. I found myself pulled and sacrificing my own self care as I wanted to give my daughter some relief and thoroughly enjoy spending time with my grandson.
I see patients daily torn between meeting their responsibilities and taking care of themselves. It creates anxiety, poor sleep, and fatigue. Health begins to suffer. I am reminded of the caution on the airplane to put my oxygen mask on first before helping someone next to me. One way I put my oxygen mask on is through meditation and journaling. I spend 20 minutes upon awakening sitting in silence and then write 3 pages in my journal. I sometimes write about what I’m feeling, what I plan to do for the day, sometimes a creative story or blog post that I want to share with you. It’s very free form. Whatever comes to mind. There is no right or wrong. Just a place to leave my thoughts as I begin my day.
Sometimes my brain will not be still. At these times, I turn to guided imagery. According to Bellaruth Naparstek, guided imagery (sometimes called guided meditation, visualization, mental rehearsal and guided self-hypnosis) is a gentle but powerful technique that focuses the imagination in proactive, positive ways.
It can be as simple as an athlete’s 5-second pause, just before leaping off the diving board, imagining how a perfect dive feels when slicing through the water. Or it can be as complex as imagining the busy, focused buzz of thousands of loyal immune cells, swarming out of the thymus gland on a search and destroy mission to wipe out unsuspecting cancer cells.
I have found that as I listen to the imagery on a regular basis, my brain has something to focus on besides my own thoughts. Guided imagery builds new neural pathways in the brain, reduces stress and anxiety and can lower blood pressure.
Want to try some guided imagery? Here are some free ones from UCLA.
Well, I hope you have an amazing day! I'm here if you need me, so feel free to reach out for a free consult.
My best,
Lynda
P.S. I have added some new recipes, including INSANELY DELICIOUS gluten/dairy free BROWNIES and information about my Free Nutrition Class below! Hope to see you there!
Lynda Sherland, APRN, FNP, Integrative Nurse Practitioner
Integrative Family Medicine
18720 Stone Oak Parkway
San Antonio, TX
(210) 888-1817
About Lynda
Lynda Sherland, APRN, FNP is a Family Nurse Practitioner practicing at Integrative Family Medicine in San Antonio, TX. She is a graduate of the University of Arizona Center for Integrative Integrative Medicine Fellowship Program created by Dr. Andrew Weil.
Lynda is a primary care practitioner who provides integrative medicine consultation. Her mission is to create safe space for healing. Her passion is food as medicine. She also speaks in the community and offers cooking classes that emphasize preparing delicious, nutrient dense, anti inflammatory meals for people seeking the freedom to live their best life. Read More →