Yes, I am telling you that nothing helped the nerve pain at all before completing the relaxation exercise.
My levels of wellness are as follows:
Physically a 5. My muscles were really tight today. I did go for a walk twice within the past week. I continue to get massages on a weekly to bi-weekly basis, especially since my car accident at the end of January.
Psychologically, up and down. I have not been really stressed or anything. It is just that Easter is in about two and a half weeks and that is the day my sister died by suicide three years ago, April 12, 2009. Yes, the grief is more manageable. This is the time of year I want to cry more, sometimes just out of the blue. I have began making the origami cranes for the Out of the Darkness Walk to Prevent Suicide. That is very relaxing, almost meditative, and it provides a sense of purpose, a way of telling people it is okay to be depressed and seek help. In fact, it is better that you do. I hate that she is gone, but at least I can do something to bring awareness to depression and suicide to try to keep others alive.
She was 20 years old, a sophomore in college at the University of Maryland, College Park.
Suicide is the 2nd largest cause of death for college students, 3rd largest cause of death for the ages of 15-24, and it is steadily rising within the military, of which I work for the Navy. I am not active duty, but a contractor, and I come across those whom serve our nation everyday at work.
Spiritually, I pray, do devotions, and am active in my church. I have been working on Sunday's lately so it has been difficult to attend Sunday morning service, but I am active in other ways.
My goals and strategies are to include:
Exercising 2-3 times a week for optimal health,
Continue to get treated with massages and osteopathic manipulation,
Continue counseling sessions, support group meetings,
Find relaxation, peace, and enjoyment in the crane making for the walk
Begin using the meditation/relaxation exercises regularly,
Enhance my church attendance as able,
Start singing in the church choir again
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Personal Well-Being
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You have truly been through some rough times, but seem to keep the faith that things will get better. I love your outlook and feel you are on the right track to achieving optimal wellness. You have a great strength within you and will be able to truly pass this on to your clients just by your personality.
ReplyDeleteI am sorry about your sister and having to relive such a horrible time. I have also become involved in the Out of the Darkness Walk for the past two years to support a close friend who lost her son to suicide. It is unfortunate that we need such an organization because people don’t know where to turn, but I am completely glad it exists. To know that we can make a difference in someone’s life who didn’t think they could get help when they were feeling so bad is a true gift to me. I’m sure it has been great therapy for you to make the cranes in honor of your sister each year. Hold on to the precious memories and she will live on in the wonderful work you are doing now with the organization!
You have some great goals listed. The best way I have learned to make them a goal is to make them a SMART goal. SMART goal stands for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Timely (Top Achievement, 2011). I think if you make each one a SMART goal, you will definitely achieve them. What do you think?
Reference:
Top Achievement. (2011). Creating S.M.A.R.T. Goals. Retrieved from http://topachievement.com/smart.html.
Hi Janet,
ReplyDeleteI am sorry to hear about your sister as well. I hope that you are taking your health due to your car accident one day at a time. Things like that can take a toll on you mentally and physically. Reading your blog I feel that you are in good spirits and it is good to hear that you are or would like to help those who feel like they are alone and have no one to talk to or no where they can go when they are depressed. I know from my own personal experience that it can be tough sometimes.
You have great goal of which are some of my goals as well. Keep up the good work and stay strong for your sister is still with you in spirit.
Lori
Hello Janet,
ReplyDeleteI can imagine how hard is to lose someone you love in that manner. I am so sorry for what happened to your sister. Something I do when I feel sad for any reason, I start making a list of everything I am grateful. Connect yourself with the thankful feeling is a positive emotion that helps you diminish sadness. Something else I do is to think about everything I love. Love is such an incredible feeling that transforms any negative emotion to a positive experience. In my opinion and based on my personal experience the feelings of gratefulness and love can help you a lot during these tough days. I hope you can accept this situation, and overcome it in the best way.
Best of luck,
~Yesica Gonzalez.
Wow!! I am tearing up reading your blog post. I am sorry for your loss. Within your goals, I see that increasing your church attendance was listed. Have you talked with the members of your church? I have found that churches offer amazing support systems. Sometimes knowing people are praying for you and your situation helps with the pain. Please know you are not alone. You are in my thoughts and prayers!
ReplyDeleteGod bless!
Thank you everyone for all of your support.
Delete