Put On My "Stress is My Friend" Glasses

I watched my first "TED Talk" How to Make Stress Your Friend (I know! It's amazing that I haven't watched any before now. But I'm ok with that). This was the video, and I am SO glad I watched it. She talks about her findings being "new research" and yes, perhaps this is the first academic research conducted in this way, but these studies just scientifically prove many of the concepts I've been taught my whole life. For example, our prophet, Thomas S. Monson just spoke again about how reaching out to others blesses not only them but especially us. "Love - The Essence of the Gospel"

But I had not thought of it before in connection to my stress response, so I am very thankful for that new perspective. I have also been taught through the gospel that the way we see the world and what happens to us will largely determine our happiness. For example, in The Book of Mormon, Nephi and his family went on a very difficult journey in the wilderness. They left their home and their possessions, following a commandment of God, in search of a promised land, the new world (before Jerusalem will be destroyed around 600BC). They were travelling in the wilderness 8 years. It was a long an hard journey. They went hungry, had family strife, had children in the wilderness, had no place to call home.

Nephi doesn't pretend that it was easy. He attests that, "we had suffered many ^aafflictions and much difficulty, yea, even so much that we cannot write them all,"

Yet, Nephi had an attitude of gratitude. He knew that stress/trials/afflictions were a part of life, our mortal journey, and he didn't see those experiences as the enemy, but as an opportunity to see the hand of God in his life, and to develop and progress. He says,"

"And we did travel and ^awade through much affliction in the wilderness; and our ^bwomen did bear children in the wilderness.
 2 And so great were the ^ablessings of the Lord upon us, that while we did live upon ^braw ^cmeat in the wilderness, our women did give plenty of suck for their children, and were strong, yea, even like unto the men; and they began to bear their journeyings without murmurings. And thus we see that the commandments of God must be fulfilled. And if it so be that the children of men keep the commandments of God he doth nourish them, and ^astrengthen them, and provide means whereby they can accomplish the thing which he has commanded them; wherefore, he did ^bprovide means for us while we did sojourn in the wilderness.... [and] we were exceedingly rejoiced... "

(1 Nephi 17 Italics added)

Nephi chose to be Grateful in Any Circumstances But his older brothers, Laman and Lemuel, see their journey and all their trials as the worst ever. They saw everything with a mental filter of negativity which magnified all their sufferings. They say,

"20 And thou art like unto our father, led away by the foolish^aimaginations of his heart; yea, he hath led us out of the land of Jerusalem, and we have wandered in the wilderness for these many years; and our women have toiled, being big with child; and they have borne children in the wilderness and suffered all things, save it were death; and it would have been better that they had died before they came out of Jerusalem than to have suffered these afflictions.

 21 Behold, these many years we have suffered in the wilderness, which time we might have enjoyed our possessions and the land of our inheritance; yea, and we might have been happy."

(1 Nephi 17 Italics added)

Who sounds like they were more happy? I'm going to pick Nephi. He took the same journey as his brothers, but yet because he saw his journey differently and remembered his purpose for taking his journey, he made the stress his friend. He let it help him grow. He saw it as a blessing. I want to be like him. I will try to be like him. I'm not perfect, but the cool thing is, neither was he! Yet he chose happiness, and so can I.

It's all about our perspective. Which glasses will you choose to see out of? I am going to choose the "Stress is My Friend" glasses.

11 Steps to Help You Face Mental or Emotional challenges

How to best respond when mental or emotional challenges confront you or those you love

"Likea Broken Vessel," Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, General Conference, Oct. 2013

 

1. Above all, never lose faith in your Father in Heaven, who loves you more than you can comprehend. As President Monson [has] said: “That love never changes. … It is there for you when you are sad or happy, discouraged or hopeful. God’s love is there for you whether or not you feel you deserve [it]. It is simply always there.” ⁴ Never, ever doubt that, and never harden your heart.

2. Faithfully pursue the time-tested devotional practices that bring the Spirit of the Lord into your life.

3. Seek the counsel of those who hold keys for your spiritual well-being.

4. Ask for and cherish priesthood blessings.   

5. Take the sacrament every week, and hold fast to the perfecting promises of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

6. Believe in miracles. I have seen so many of them come when every other indication would say that hope was lost. Hope is never lost. If those miracles do not come soon or fully or seemingly at all,

7. Remember the Savior’s own anguished example: if the bitter cup does not pass, drink it and be strong, trusting in happier days ahead. ⁵

Photo from https://www.lds.org/bible-videos/videos/the-savior-suffers-in-gethsemane?lang=eng#gallery=

8. In preventing illness whenever possible, watch for the stress indicators in yourself and in others you may be able to help. As with your automobile, be alert to rising temperatures, excessive speed, or a tank low on fuel.

9. When you face “depletion depression,” make the requisite adjustments. Fatigue is the common enemy of us all—so slow down, rest up, replenish, and refill. Physicians promise us that if we do not take time to be well, we most assuredly will take time later on to be ill.

10. If things continue to be debilitating, seek the advice of reputable people with certified training, professional skills, and good values. Be honest with them about your history and your struggles. Prayerfully and responsibly consider the counsel they give and the solutions they prescribe. If you had appendicitis, God would expect you to seek a priesthood blessing and get the best medical care available. So too with emotional disorders. Our Father in Heaven expects us to use all of the marvelous gifts He has provided in this glorious dispensation.

11. If you are the one afflicted or a caregiver to such, try not to be overwhelmed with the size of your task. Don’t assume you can fix everything, but fix what you can. If those are only small victories, be grateful for them and be patient. Dozens of times in the scriptures, the Lord commands someone to “stand still” or “be still”—and wait. ⁶ Patiently enduring some things is part of our mortal education.

Break Free from the Past

I watched this video today about how The Atonement can Clean, Reclaim and Sanctify Our Lives. I don't think I'm digging up past things that I've done wrong as much as my subconscious is digging up or holding onto things that have happened to me in the past that have hurt. They hurt "real bad." But it's been a long time, and I need them not to hurt me anymore. I have pretty severe anxiety. I'm working through that with kind and loving people who I know God has guided me to. 

I know God has helped and healed me many times from the very things that still scare and hurt me now. I know that I need to let them stay in the past, and I need to enjoy my life as it is now, and not be afraid that the past will repeat itself or that something even worse could happen. It's debilitating. As I talked out my deepest fears with my wonderful counselor this week, she taught me that these thoughts, these deepest fears that are haunting me are really physically and emotionally and mentally hurting myself as if these terrible things were actually happening to me because my brain doesn't know the difference! That was a revelation. And I think....I know she's right. It hurts me like it's actually happening. Our imaginations are very powerful, and I want to channel that very creative imagination of mine into things that feel great, not tragic or disastrous. So, I'm breaking-free! I'm starting right now! Will this be an instantaneous transformation? No. I know that, and I won't be disappointed if it takes a long time, or if I have to do it again and again. Life is about learning. It's about the journey. Want to come with me? Let's leave the past in the past, and break-free, live in the present. Enjoy the present, and while looking toward a bright future, focusing on the here and now.

http://www.pinchmeliving.com/

---

I went to the pool to start my membership today. I'll still have a once a week PT appt. with my orthopedic therapist, but I can go to the pool on my own whenever I like now. It felt really good to push my limits in a good way. I did a 50 min. workout in the pool. I was able to do 10 min. straight water jogging this time I want to increase my time by at least a minute each time I go. I'm very thankful to be at this point, and that I'm learning in so many ways.

Cream of Vegetable Soup

Here is a creation from today that I made up between today's amazing sessions of General Conference with whatever I had available in my fridge. And as we say at our house, "It's blog-worthy!" so I'm sharing it with you. Enjoy!

Cream of Vegetable Soup

Serves 6

Ingredients:
Veggies:
- 1 onion
- 2 Tb. garlic
- 1 stalk celery
- 2 cups cauliflower
- 1 cup broccoli
- 1 lb. asparagus

- 1 large handful (about 1 1/2 cup) spinach
- 5 cups water or veggie stock

Seasonings:
- 1/2 tsp. dry thyme
- 1 tsp. dry oregano
- 1/2 tsp. coriander
- 1/2 tsp. cumin

Finishing Touches:
- 1/4 cup nutritional yeast (in the bulk section of your health food store)
- 2/3 cup cashews
- 3 Tb. lemon juice (or to taste)

- 1 tsp. salt (or to taste)
- fresh cracked pepper

Directions:
1. Heat a large pot on medium high heat while you roughly chop your onion (but not so rough as to chop your finger :) I've learned that lesson a time or two...), then start sauteing your onion adding sufficient amounts of water to keep it from sticking or burning.

2. While onion is sauteing, chop all your other vegetables and add (except for spinach) to the pot. Saute for about 5 more minutes, or until onions are translucent.

3. Add water/veggie stock and spinach to the pot and bring to a boil. Turn down heat to a simmer.

4. Add all the seasonings and simmer for about 10 minutes.

5. Remove from heat, add nutritional yeast, cashews (that's where the "creamy" comes in!) and lemon juice. Then puree using an immersion blender (or ladle small amounts carefully into a blender).

6. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Tips:
-You can garnish the soup with anything you like really, cashews, sliced spinach, cilantro, bell peppers, avocado... you name it!
- You can use this as your main dish, as a side, as a salad dressing, as a base for another creamy soup. The sky is the limit!
- And don't be afraid of substituting other veggies. Use what you have. 

Choose Peaceful Response, Not Painful Reaction

This is something I'm working on. I'm on the step of recognizing triggers, and trying to widen the gap between them and my reaction so that I can choose a peaceful response. It is going to take a while, but I'm thankful that I am already more aware, and I know it is helping me and will bless my life in the future as well.

Jogging Again: Water Jogging

Today at physical therapy, I did my first water jogging lap in the pool. I am making a lot of progress in therapy, and this was a great milestone.With my Autonomic Dysreflexia, the dizziness and low blood pressure keeps me from doing much cardio workout, but I'm getting back on track, and this was my start. I could feel that good feeling that my heart and lungs were getting cleaned out. I felt really good. I got in the hot tub afterwards, and as I did, I contemplated trying to do a second lap. Then I got out of the hot tub and felt very dizzy, and totally wiped out.... so I didn't do another lap. My therapist told me to expect feeling wiped out tonight. It's a good thing. I'm excited to do more jogging that will be an excellent gateway into swimming again.

Nourishing, Life Affirming Rituals

I really hope you will take that time to watch this video. It really supports what I'm trying to do and helps put it in perspective what benefits are available to all of by taking care of ourselves. I feel that doing these uplifting and nourishing rituals that Bernadette talks about are helping me to get my life in balance and in control, and I want to keep it that way; not just to get me out of a rut but to keep myself living at the level that I want to.

I'm taking B's advice and writing down my list of rituals that nourish and uplift me, that I know are important to me; those things that make all the difference in my day.

Prayer (morning and night, a frequently throughout the day, and constantly with a prayer in my heart)
Daily Devotional (whether that is reading (studying) or listening to the scriptures, or the words of living prophets and apostles in general conference talks or the Ensign. - sometimes as a mother of a toddler, I have to listen rather than read to prevent tantrums and keep the peace)
Meditation and Guided Imagery
Positive Affirmations (listening to them and saying them)
Yoga
Swimming
WheatGrass Juice first thing
Fresh Veggie/Fruit Juice in the morning
Green Smoothies
Being Quiet in Nature
Journaling/Blogging

I am sure I could add more to my list, but these are the main ones that really come to mind that do me good. What are your nourishing rituals? What do you do to take care of yourself? Do you brush those rituals under the rug for things you feel are more 'pressing'? I've been doing that for a long time, but my paradigm is shifting, and I'm putting myself first so that there will be more of me to share.

I had cognitive therapy today, and we discussed goal setting. I am an avid goal setter, and I often set very high goals. The whole "Shoot for the stars, and if you hit the moon, great!" concept. But that hasn't served me well. I am such a motivated person, and I have often worked myself into the ground trying to work so hard to reach my goals, and I've often not reached them and then suffered great disappointment, frustration or guilt. My wonderful therapist presented a new concept to me. 

"Stop setting goals, and live in the present." 

I've never thought of that as a way to feel successful, but that is what I am going to try. I am going to live in the moment, be present, move forward, take care of myself, and live my values, and I will become the person I need and want to be as I do that. I will stick to my life affirming rituals consistently to nourish myself and grow, and I will live in the here and now, not the past, not the future. Now is here, and that's all I have to work with, so I will work with that, and the growth will happen naturally.

I don't recommend this for everyone, just for people who experience toxic perfectionism like I have. I see achievement differently now. I achieve as I live my values. It is not how much I work, but how I work that is important.

----

Today I used those life affirming rituals, and I was feeling great, and then I got pretty worked over by a few too many, too long, too dramatic tantrums, not long enough naps, and a whole lot of playing outside (the only thing that would console my energetic little one). I felt very compassionate for parents that often put their children in front of the TV. It's so hard not too. I wanted to be one of those parents. And maybe on days like this a half hour of TV and peace would be much better than what we went through. I am learning not to see this day as a failure; to admit that I did not cause the events that triggered the wipe out/exhaustion I am experiencing now (because I did put my life affirming rituals as a priority today instead of busying myself "accomplishing and achieving things"). It is a lesson learned, and tomorrow is a new day. 

Actually, every moment is a new moment!

Isn't that a freeing concept?! We don't have to wait until tomorrow to start over. There is no time like the present. Truly all we have is the present.

Nourishing, Life Affirming Rituals

I really hope you will take that time to watch this video. It really supports what I'm trying to do and helps put it in perspective what benefits are available to all of by taking care of ourselves. I feel that doing these uplifting and nourishing rituals that Bernadette talks about are helping me to get my life in balance and in control, and I want to keep it that way; not just to get me out of a rut but to keep myself living at the level that I want to.

I'm taking B's advice and writing down my list of rituals that nourish and uplift me, that I know are important to me; those things that make all the difference in my day.

Prayer (morning and night, a frequently throughout the day, and constantly with a prayer in my heart)
Daily Devotional (whether that is reading (studying) or listening to the scriptures, or the words of living prophets and apostles in general conference talks or the Ensign. - sometimes as a mother of a toddler, I have to listen rather than read to prevent tantrums and keep the peace)
Meditation and Guided Imagery
Positive Affirmations (listening to them and saying them)
Yoga
Swimming
WheatGrass Juice first thing
Fresh Veggie/Fruit Juice in the morning
Green Smoothies
Being Quiet in Nature
Journaling/Blogging

I am sure I could add more to my list, but these are the main ones that really come to mind that do me good. What are your nourishing rituals?

Helpful, Healing Meditations

Here is a playlist of the Most Helpful Meditations I've found on You Tube, and I'll also include them separately below.

This one is excellent one to do after your morning prayer. (or anytime during the day - not at bed time)

Guided Morning Meditation 

This one would also be great for the morning (or anytime during the day - not at bed time). It would be a very good one to do in the middle of the day too. If it's warm enough, you could go recline in your car during a break and take 15 minutes to clear your mind and reset your thoughts for a super positive uplift.

Positive Meditation Uplift Your Emotions

These next two are the best ones I've found on Youtube to do in your bed right before you go to sleep. (You can also do them during the day, but I think it's best to lay down to do them.) They help me quiet my mind and send a calm restful feeling throughout my body. 

Guided Light Meditation for Beginners

and

Healing Light Energy, Full Body Scan Guided Meditation

This is the meditation that Angie Holpuch supports most. My homework for a few weeks was to do this once during the day and once at night. It was very helpful to get my mind and body to relax (although she's a bit mono-tone and the music isn't my favorite) - still a great tool though!

Physiological Quieting

and this is a CD that I HIGHLY recommend. I found this even before my diagnosis, and it was the first thing that truly started to shift my mindset and help me relax and calm my mind and body. Seriously, this is the best $9 I've ever spent on Amazon!

Stress Relief: Deep Relaxation Exercises

You can also get the individual tracks at the link above, and if you are interested in that, these are the ones I'd recommend in order of helpfulness for me for certain times:

Before bed/while falling asleep:

Flowing Comfort

Progressive Relaxation

Relaxing Restful Breathing

Guided Imagery - Floating Through Colors

Autogenics

As a rejuvination/de-stresser/energizer mid-day:

Power Nap

Guided Imagery - Inner Energy

Relaxing Restful Breathing

As an Emotional Reset:

Guided Imagery - Inner Wisdom

As you can tell though, I recommend getting the whole album. Why not? It's only as much as a Chipotle Rice Bowl with a Side of Guacamole and Chips, and we could all give that up once for relaxation, calm and a good night's sleep :)

I hope that all/any of this could be helpful to you. Please feel free to share with anyone you think it could help.

I Strive to Be Healthy by… Young Adults Ways to Strive to Be Healthy

I Strive to Be Healthy by…  From the March Issue of the Ensign Magazine. Click on the Title for the full article and more info.

Here young adults share their patterns of healthy living based on teachings from the Word of Wisdom, from other scriptures, and from our latter-day prophets. How have these teachings blessed your life? These young adults bear testimony that as we learn and honor these teachings for healthy living, we will receive the promised blessings.

Establishing Good Sleeping Habits

In today’s world, addictive substances are sometimes viewed as a way to deal with pressures and stresses. In addition, many drink coffee because they feel they need extra energy. Because my mother taught me the importance of good sleeping habits, I know that these additional substances aren’t necessary; adequate rest is a much more effective solution (see D&C 88:124). When I get a good night’s sleep, I have more energy for the day. I am better able to handle the stresses of life, my mind enjoys increased clarity, and I am better able to work under pressure.

Anthony Castillo, Florida, USA

Enjoying Mountain Biking

Being healthy and living the Word of Wisdom (see D&C 89) are not merely about staying away from coffee, tea, tobacco, alcohol, and harmful drugs; good health is also about fueling my body with good things and wisely engaging in activities that will enable me to function optimally. I am passionate about mountain biking. By maintaining my physical and spiritual health, I can pursue my passion and know that I will be blessed with strength and endurance.

Brock Dunlap, Texas, USA

Gardening

We learn from the scriptures that the soul has two parts: body and spirit (see D&C 88:15). Gardening is a healthy hobby that nourishes both. It’s hard work; it would be so much easier to run to the store to pick up my veggies and herbs. However, the benefits of gardening go far beyond having access to healthy food. I love the moments of focused meditation that come along with working in a garden. It is a time that I can clear my mind of distractions and focus on the task at hand. Also, gardening is a way for me to gain momentum for living a healthy lifestyle. When I garden, I find that I’m more aware of what I’m eating throughout the day and that I’m more inclined to exercise. It is truly energizing. And when I treat my body well, my spirit benefits also. I feel closer to Heavenly Father and know that I’m becoming the soul he wants me to be.

Laura Gauthier, Illinois, USA

Drinking Green Smoothies

For a long time it was difficult for me to get any fruits and vegetables into my diet because of some serious food allergies. I could hardly eat more than four blueberries at a time without feeling ill. When I discovered green smoothies, everything changed. At first my body struggled, but over time my allergies diminished substantially and I became full of energy. I love creating new smoothies, and I try to put the most nutrient-dense and colorful fruits and vegetables into them: kale, Swiss chard, spinach, lime, peaches, mango, strawberries, coconut, and so on. I am grateful for the Word of Wisdom and for the blessings I’ve received as I’ve incorporated its principles into my life.

Tara Walker, Idaho, USA

Seeking to Reach My Potential

Being diligent in both exercising and eating right has helped me realize how blessed I am to have a healthy body and how important it is to take care of it. I want to be able to live a long, healthy life. I want to be in the best physical, mental, and spiritual condition I can be for as long as possible so I can reach my full potential on earth. I think that is one of the reasons why our Heavenly Father gave us teachings in the scriptures and from living prophets about how to stay healthy—so we will be able to do what we came to earth to do and to carry out His will.

Allyson Macy, Utah, USA

Exercising Often

For me, exercise is one of the best ways to rejuvenate my body and my mind. When I get carried away thinking about problems and questions that I have, it is exercise that helps me see things more clearly. I don’t always run or lift weights; sometimes I just go for a walk. It’s interesting that after exerting energy to exercise, I always have more energy and feel more alert. When I get in a routine and exercise regularly, I have a happier outlook on life. I know that the Lord has given us a stewardship over our bodies. Exercise is one way that we can show Him that we are grateful for the blessing of a mortal body.

Ryan Brown, Michigan, USA

Appreciating Both Body and Spirit

I know that the Word of Wisdom is a true code of health for both our spirits and our bodies. As I have learned more about how to eat well, exercise, and seek balance in other aspects of my life, I have gained a deeper understanding of the sacred relationship between our bodies and our spirits. I have learned to respect my mortal body and be grateful for it, no matter what is going on in my life. My testimony of the importance of good health has been reinforced through teachings in the Doctrine and Covenants and teachings from our living prophets. I know we are blessed when we seek to follow these teachings and live them fully.

Christine Baird, Texas, USA

Focusing on the Blessings

My favorite blessing promised in the Word of Wisdom is that we can “find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures” (D&C 89:19). For a long time, this was a very abstract phrase to me. But now I understand that this promise includes improved self-discipline and self-control. We gain greater power to exercise our agency because our minds are clearer, our bodies are stronger, and our hearts are at peace. As I live the Word of Wisdom and maintain a healthy lifestyle, I find that the Lord more readily answers my prayers for health, peace, and joy.

Linda Flores, Washington, D.C., USA

Teachings for healthy living: 1 Corinthians 3:16–17; 6:19–20; Doctrine and Covenants 59:16–20; 88:124; 89; Boyd K. Packer, “Ye Are the Temple of God,” Ensign, Nov. 2000, 72–74

Official Web site of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

© 2014 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All Rights Reserved