Show 200 Oxidative Stress and Better Food Choices

Perhaps there is a better way for both of us to have what we want, occasionally, and eat better 90 percent of the time. We gotta pay attention to both mental and body systems.

We have to focused on taking care of the brain and brain functions. One of the ways we do that is by making better food and nutritional choices. So in this episode, a really simplistic definition of oxidative stress and some of the foods and supplements that can keep the free radicals in our bodies from gunking up the works.






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 Cleveland Clinic has a page on 7 Tricks to Manage Anxiety.

Author Veronica Roth has an opinion piece in the New York Times about going off her anti-depressant medication under stay at home orders

The Breethe (double ee) app is available via the Apple and Google app stores. There is also a Breethe YouTube channel that answers some questions about meditation,

Vitamins and Mineral Fact Sheet from the International Food Information Council Foundation.

National Institute of Health - Office of Dietary Supplements

• Vitamin B6 Fact Sheet
• Vitamin C Fact Sheet
• Vitamin E Fact Sheet
• Lycopene via the International Food Information Council Foundation

Dr. Uma Haidoo's article at Harvard Health on Nutritional Strategies to Ease Anxiety. 

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 199 - Creativity In the Middle of Chaos

One of the things we might need to do is have a tighter grasp on our creativity.

In this short episode, a look at some of the resources you can use to understand how creativity can help you get an understanding about anxiety, or help you cope during isolation or remind yourself to have something to look forward to.

We all need that.

We really do.




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: 

From Boing Boing, a trip back to the musical past of 1969 with Tom Jones wailing with Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young.

Céline Terranova post on "Don't let anxiety kill your creativity" from The Part-Time Artist.

Artist, author, dad and blogger Austin Kleon e-mail newsletter has pulled me out of a depressive dive or two.

There is a 2014 TEDxCharlotte talk from Sharon Dowell about Anxiety as Fuel for Artistic Creativity. There is also a 2015 TEDxProvidence talk from Jeffrey Sparr on Using Art to Combat Anxiety.

Felt Magnet How can I be more creative as an adult? There are ways to tap into that inner stream.

Austin Kleon, How to Make A Zine From A Piece of Paper, a very short video.

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 198 Reframing Affirmations

In this episode, a look at affirmations. Not as a linguistic vending machine. Or a means to be financially powerful. I'm viewing affirmations as a tool to support healing.

Not the only tool to be used but as a means of support, nourishment, encouragement and self-care.

We are humans. And are hard wired to seek certain things in order to be functional and stable. We don't have those things and we get a little crazy. And then a lot more crazy.

Affirmation are not for everyone.

There are people who are task or function specific. Speaking words of encouragement to themselves isn't comfortable to them. They view it as a waste of time. Easier to take a pill.

Some people do believe that there is a separation between the mind and body and only want to focus on their symptoms.

Whatever you believe, I hope that you would try to see affirmations as option to be kind to yourself.





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.

In housekeeping news, posting new episode will be more fluid. Spending too much time on the computer makes my eyes unhappy. Probably shifting to the weekends. I do know that I will be posting with a day ending in y.

Resources Mentioned: 

Ronald Alexander, Ph.D has a post on Psychology Today on 5 Steps to Make Affirmations Work for You

Ezz at Through The Phases has a whole list of affirmations specifically for anxiety conditions like OCD, general anxiety and social anxiety.

Verywell Mind Has a post on Positive Affirmations to Relieve Anxiety and Stress.

Louise L. Hay was an author, motivation teacher and became a publisher of affirmation and spiritual books, video and now podcasts.One of her books to consider is You Can Heal Your Life. The link is to an audio study course version of the book.

Her company, Hay House, is still in existences and produces new materials. There is a section of the website that contain free resources like the Affirmations Coloring Book. This is a 96 page PDF, however, due to the file size, it can take a long time to download, even on a decent connection.

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 197 Feeling Fractured and Finding Spackle

It is a mess. It is a time and wowzer, every day a pip. Trauma is waving the freak flag and there are people that are hurting. This includes you and me. What should have been and what's going to be are not something that can be predicted.

We have been changed. We are in a state of change and along with the bad stuff is the potential for some good stuff too. But first, we have to recognize that we are fractured and need some healing invisible Spackle to get ourselves in a better place.




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: 

In an article for Prevention Magazine, Carson Daily talks about having general anxiety disorder and how he treats with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.

From Zagat Stories, Chef Eric Ripert uses meditation as a tool to run his kitchen and bring calm to his life.

Leslie Sanson has a series of videos for walking at home. To get a sample of what that is like check out the YouTube channel. There is also Walk At Home Digital Access is a subscription service that provides training and motivation to have daily in-door walking exercises.

Mindful Magazine Digital Special Edition on Difficult Emotions. For those that want the pulp version you can get that too.

Also on Mindful is an additional resource: Four-Minute STOP Practice from Rhonda Magee, how to re-set a potentially testy situation.

At the Chopra Center is a post on seven affirmations for self healing.

Ananda Leeke has a blog post about We are resilient. She also has a podcast on Soundcloud.  She gives tips about how to reconnect with the power source inside of you.

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 196 Anxiety Music Video Self Care Reminders

I go between being rock solid to a quivering mess. Especially when people are making economic decisions about my worth on the planet. I don't know, something about it just doesn't sit right with me.

We do things differently around here. Inconsistent as well as predictable.This time out it is a look at certain music videos that might serve as reminders of some self-care techniques.

This time it is a look at specific music videos that might speak to the anxious in the ways that the normals might not make a connection. But you might. And it might help you remember a self-care technique that could help you feel more comfortable.




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: 

Voices in the Head and/or Existential Dread

Falling on Deaf Ears: When Others Don’t Honor Your Voice, blog post by Kristina Kelly

Til Tuesday Voices Carry

Gnarls Barkley's Crazy from the album St Elsewhere.

Depression or Is the Sky Blue? Really…I’ll take your word on it.

9 Ways to Take Care of Yourself When You Have Depression by By Margarita Tartakovsky

Godly and Creme with a simple visual meditation about the nature of being in pain and being vulnerable, Cry.

Mr. Johnny Cash with his haunting rendition of Hurt.

Doom and Damnation Party I'm Alright Jack!

Six Different Types of Grounding Exercises for Anxiety & Intense Emotions by Lexi Schimdt

Split Enz I Got You with the lyric I don't know why sometimes I get frightened.
Boomtown Rats I don't like Mondays based on a school shooting in 1979.
Oukast - Idewild Blue/Don't Chu Worry About Me

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 195 Treatment Options Decision Grid

I feel like it has been five years in this one week. It has been a pip of a time with more to come.

But we got work to do. This is the next episode on organizing your thoughts to come up with a decision grid to help you see what you want or need to do about treatment.




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: 

BBC post about protecting your mental health during these times. Really good advice for reducing your news intake and strive for quality resources, reduce your social media and find ways to stay connected.

From Maxwell Software there is the Pocket Meditation app for iPhone and iPad. There is a free and a paid version.

Buddify offers you a selection of options that meet your needs. There is a guided and unguided modules, the ability to track you meditation time and other features. It is available on Android and iOS devices.

Resources for researching medication options:

• American Depression and Anxiety Association
• Helpguide.org
• Consumer Version of Merck Manual
• The state of Connecticut has a good pdf called Medication Used for Behavioral & Emotional Disorders. 
• Women's Health.gov

The Treatment Options for Vets website is designed to help veterans, family members understand and navigate the treatment process of various conditions. They have an example of a treatment decision grid for depression.

As promised, shoe repair and restoration videos:

• $15 Thrift Store Challenge - The Elegant Oxford
• Total Shoe Restoration - Trent and Heath
• Red Wing 9106 Resole - Brian the Bootmaker

Example of simplified treatment options decision grid:

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 194 Grounded in Truth, Not Fear

There was so much chatter about the fear reactions to current events I felt that I needed to put my two cents in. I'll continue the treatment plan episode next time but in this moment I ask you to even more so take care of yourself. Be kind to yourself.

Control the amount of garbage you ingest from certain media sources. Pick up a bottle of ginger ale, I leave the brand to you personal choice, in case you do feel a little grippy.



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: 

From Mindful.org A Meditation on Working with Anxiety - this is a 30 minute practice that can help you get grounded and relaxed.

Don Weyant's 15 minute meditation podcast episode with a transcript of the recording.

From Stop, Breath and Think a 3 minute mindful breathing meditation on YouTube.

To learn how to make an home emergency kit visit the Build a Kit page at Ready.gov

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.