Show 236 Screwed Up Again - Like I'm Supposed To

Not having a great time but I'm ok. Not like I don't have stuff to do but currently in that vortex of when is the other thing that I think is gonna happen?

And in the middle of the vortex are the old symptoms making a bum rush for the gate. 

So this episode is a bit more narrative. It is about an experience that I had when I though I was doing the right thing for me.

And it was. But I still ginned up an attack. 

It happened for a lot of reasons. Many of which I wrote down and then cut out of the show.

Want some of the truth?

Don't like wearing facemask. I do it. I'm even doubling up on it.

But my face and skin don't like it. I do it because it is the right thing for me and other people.

The fear of am I gonna catch it this time?

Did I need to do this? Could I have waited one more week?

What if I have another panic attack in the store?

There are dozens more but you get the idea.

One the one side you do the right things.

One the other side, all of the combustibles are gaining fuel.

What do you do?

The best you can.

If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741.

Resources Mentioned: 

Don’t Panic! 5 Things To Do When You’ve Messed Up from Lifehack.org

Courageous Heart Meditation — Loving Kindness Tonglen Practice video with Shannon Algeo

From Mindful.org What to Eat for Optimal Mental Health

Disclaimer: 

Links to other sites are provided for information purposes only and do not constitute endorsements. 

Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health disorder.

This blog and podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing in this program is intended to be a substitute for professional psychological, psychiatric or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Show 235 - Dealing with Loneliness

Loneliness is a 365 day thing but it stings a bit more on February the 14th. Chronic loneliness is when you have long term feelings of isolation. 

You ain't go nobody and you feel it in your soul.

You don't have to be a natural sad sack to feel this way. Some of the loudest party animals are also chronically lonely.

For some people it is longing for more than superficial conversations.  Or it can be persistent feelings of not being worthy, not being enough or dare I say it, not liking yourself very much.

In this episode, a look at some of the things you can do to help you cope or exchange loneliness for something better.

If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741.

Resources Mentioned: 

Queen Official Channel video Somebody to Love. 

Post on Verywell Mind that lists the risk factors of loneliness can experience.

Emily from Therapy in a Nutshell has an except from her course about Emotional Coping Skills. 

There is an 8 Minute Healing Loneliness and Isolation Guided Meditation by Prajna Meditation. It is a way to practice soothing your heart. The video is on YouTube.

TED Radio Hour on Mediations on Loneliness - How we can find ways to understand and change how we experience it. 

Helpguide.org specific and actionable steps on helping you deal with loneliness.  The site also has a Coronavirus Mental Health section to give you more tools on how to deal with stuff.

Disclaimer: 

Links to other sites are provided for information purposes only and do not constitute endorsements. 

Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health disorder.

This blog and podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing in this program is intended to be a substitute for professional psychological, psychiatric or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Show 234 - What is Mindfulness?

A few years ago, I read an article about the tradition of the prisoners' last meal. And then how it ended in many states.  

One of the stories involved a man requesting a single olive as his last meal. 

That is all that he wanted. He looked at it, held it and then consumed it.

To me, that is an example of a mindfulness practice. In this episode, I'll define what it is and a few resources for you to check out. 

I may not be the best person to talk about mindfulness. I'm getting better at it. And I know it does work because better people than myself do it every single day.

If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741.

Resources Mentioned: 

The Mindfulness Workbook for Anxiety: The 8-Week Solution to Help You Manage Anxiety, Worry & Stress by Tanya J. Peterson. Published by Althea Press. Multiple versions available on Amazon.com

One Minute Mindfulness by Simon Parke is a a group of stories about the mindfulness process. You can find it on Apple iBooks or Amazon.

Mindful Magazine has a full post about mindfulness and the relationship with meditation.

Chris Bergstrom from Blissfulkids.com has an explainer page about mindfulness. The explanations come in three flavors, for kids, teens and adults.

Disclaimer: 

Links to other sites are provided for information purposes only and do not constitute endorsements. 

Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health disorder.

This blog and podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing in this program is intended to be a substitute for professional psychological, psychiatric or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.