Mindfulness

Because so many of the people I see experience debilitating anxiety, no matter what else complicates their lives, I have been interested in increasing the options for relaxation that I have available for patients.

Jon Kabat-Zinn has written several clear and simple books about mindfulness and meditation, which I like. Here is a YouTube example of a mindfulness exercise narrated by him. And although I like his work and he seems like a wonderful human being, as one comment on another YouTube video of him said, "I don't think it's bad if it gets you excited about the message, but after the excitement has passed, you're left with nothing but the application of that message, because you can't do anything with the messenger but to worship him. Which is pretty useless to begin with." In my experience, the most difficult part of mindfulness is actually practicing it.

Here is a posting of several everyday, ordinary mindfulness practices that I am going to try this week:

1. Mind your feet while you’re grocery shopping. (my yoga teacher)
2. Mind your chair while you’re typing.
3. When going through a door, think ‘I am I’ (Fourth Way exercise)
4. When putting on your shoes, try and put on the one you usually put on second first. (also Fourth Way, Ravi Ravindra)
5. Drink your tea without sugar if you’re used to sugar in your tea. If you’re used to no sugar, just once put in sugar. Works with coffee too obviously. The point is, like the previous one, to become aware of patterns and how hard it is to break them (Jiddu Krishnamurti). The point is NOT to change the pattern. A new pattern is just as much a pattern as the old one. Just create a bit more flexibility.
6. When you have to wait for something (grocery line, pc starting up etc.) breath consciously.
7. Cleaning the house: be aware of every step of cleaning.
8. Keep a diary of your thoughts and feelings. The goal isn’t to create literature, but to observe. So don’t mind repetition.
9. Notice… take a deep breath; notice five things you can see. notice five things you can hear; notice five things you can feel (shoes, pants, hair against forehead etc.)
10. When you’re annoyed at waiting for a stopping sign, or anything else for that matter, just SMILE (Thich Nhat Hanh, Zen Buddhism)

Back to Work

I started seeing people in my office last week, and this week I'm back up to my regular schedule at both sites. It's great to feel well (if still a little sore in the abdomen area). By the end of my recovery I really missed my patients and working. Planning and thinking about returning to work has been a good motivator to get out and walk for exercise, take my meds, and deal with whatever complications, so that I could get back to my regular life. I feel very fortunate to be able to do that.

I've started to do my Daily Gratitudes again (from Martin Seligman's positive psychology):

Keep a gratitude list. Write in your journal or therapy notebook three things every day that you are grateful for, that went well, or that make you happy. For an added bonus, share the daily list with a loved one.

Most days lately include gratitude for good health.

Health and Recovery

As you may already know, I'm out of commission for a few weeks because of health problems. In early July I was diagnosed with endometrial cancer, and had surgery last week. Biopsy results indicate that the cancer had not spread, the surgery was successful, and I should need no further treatment.

Unfortunately I've had a few post-op complications which may postpone returning to work for a week or two. I have learned why medical consumers are called "patients," because patience is certainly what is required!

I am feeling quite well--except for impatience--and as a result of this experience have made many resolutions about improving my health habits.

Here's to health and happiness for us all!