An Eclectic Recovery Thread

Nurses Recovery

Published

"For those of us who have lost our faith, or who have always had to struggle along without it, it's often just helpful to accept - blindly and with no reservations. It's not necessary for us to believe at first; we need not be convinced...

May I not intellectualize about faith, since by its nature it precludes analysis. May I know that "head tripping" was a symptom of my disease..." ODAT May 1

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My Dad and I use to play guitars and sing a three chord song which went "Life is like a mountain railroad, with an Engineer that's brave. We must make our run successful from the cradle to the grave. Watch the curves that fill the tunnel, never falter, never fail. Keep your hands upon the throttle and your eyes upon the rail".

Specializes in PDN; Burn; Phone triage.

I've really gotten into yoga which is stereotypical (lemme grab my starbucks latte and head over in my subaru) but I find it super relaxing in a way that quiet meditation/prayer blah blah has never helped. I think it's the movement aspect.

Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
I've really gotten into yoga which is stereotypical (lemme grab my starbucks latte and head over in my subaru) but I find it super relaxing

It's like, whatever works for you, eh dirtylittlehippiegirl? I admire your relaxation technique utilizing yoga, as I tried yoga several years ago but couldn't get into it. Yoga truly is a mind/body thing that has many benefits.

For the physical relaxation thing, bicycling is my drug of choice. I can bicycle and feel no emotional or physical pain.

For the meditation thing, I utilize art- I like my Rotring Art Pen and journal the best of all. Put some Bach on the phonograph and I'm in Relaxation City.

In order to focus on a positive concept for meditation, I will do a reading, find the essence of the reading, and make a cartoon from that.

Here's an example from today's reading:

"May I stop the counting on my old standbys, my 'superior intelligence' and my 'willpower', to control my life. I use to think, with those two fabulous attributes, that I was all-powerful. May I not forget, as my self-image is restored, that only through surrender to a Higher Power will I be given the power that can make me whole." ODAT May2

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It feels therapeutic to me to have my cartoon characters say my thoughts, whether they be positive or negative. It's sort of like having someone outside of myself say the words to me so I can gain a new perspective on them. This allows me to separate from, or be in absence of, my self.

Like Kahlil Gibran wrote: "For that which you love most in him may be clearer in his absence, as the mountain to the climber is clearer from the plain."

Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).

I do love this eclectic post - it closely mirrors my own thoughts and feeling with regard to my personal

walk through recovery. Thanks for posting this.

Hppy

You guys are so lucky you've found something to help with the anxiety, stress, and other issues. I haven't found any kind of release except daydreams of finding a new career. Sad after all that work to get my license only 9 months ago and only working as a nurse for 7 months. It's already given me HTN and anxiety. Anyway, good luck to you all!

Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
You guys are so lucky you've found something to help with the anxiety, stress, and other issues. I haven't found any kind of release except daydreams of finding a new career. Sad after all that work to get my license only 9 months ago and only working as a nurse for 7 months. It's already given me HTN and anxiety. Anyway, good luck to you all!

Are you working a personal program of recovery : 12 step, celebrate recovery, Mental Health Anonymous. If not I strongly encourage you to try one. It can be an extremely freeing experiences Pay special attention to the Promises - they almost always appear rather magically. Sit in the rooms and just take it in. It helps you move through the uncertainty of the past a move into at the bright sunlight of the soul. Trust me to tell you that time takes time and great changes are easy when you let go of fear an uncertainty.

The risks are great and the rewards are great. Keep in touch and keep in touch with us.

peace and joy be with you.

HAPPY

Specializes in LTC, Rehab.

Lots of good stuff here, DD... I had to look up 'ODAT', though, and I think I found the correct meaning. :^)

I'm going through a journey myself these days (aren't we all?), and will relate a little bit about it fairly soon.

I can try I suppose but I'm not much for the whole group dynamic and the insistence on some kind of higher power. What I think I need is enough energy to find a hobby of some kind. I used to do a lot of things to relax and unwind but now I work less hours per week but have less energy to do anything with all this time off. Maybe I'm just lazy...who knows. Thanks for the reply though. Today ended up a very rough day (started off so well too) and it sort of made me rethink a lot of things while I was finishing my charting.

Specializes in ED, Tele, MedSurg, ADN, Outpatient, LTC, Peds.

AvaRose, may I suggest a little "me" time to unwind before you go to bed. Do something you really enjoy that has nothing to do with nursing.Couple of things I do-read a good romance, spiritual real stories, write, journal, sit in front of my fake fireplace and warm them bones as I either talk to God about my day and ask him for guidance for tomorrow.

Sometimes I take a morning walk without my phone and just listen to the birds waking up and chirping or admire the sunlight glinting through the leaves. It is the simple things that replenish you everyday. Remember, how much can you give if you are empty inside?At age 21, I did not believe in the higher power---now I do and believe me it took a long time!!

Dave Hugs!!

It's hiking by the creek and then a little fishing, solitude. I am blessed to have a wilderness sanctuary five minutes away where I can throw my self into the beauty of nature instead of into a pit of negativity.

Specializes in PDN; Burn; Phone triage.

Yeah, I am a pretty rigid Atheist with no higher power or particularly spiritual side. I like yoga, hiking, exercise (running and weight lifting) in general is therapeutic for me.

Sometimes I need psych meds or a therapy appointment or sometimes I need to work in my yard or treat myself to a Lego kit or whatever. It's more about being able to articulate my head space, recognize what I need, and do that.

I like those suggestions. Maybe I should use some of the money I've tucked away to buy something non-nurse related to play with on my off time...maybe a craft kit or some books to read for fun instead of education (I don't think I've read for fun since before Nursing School so over 3 years now). I was going to get a gym membership but I keep thinking that I wouldn't end up using it since I'm so lazy on my weekend, maybe it's worth it though even if I only go once a week.

Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
I like those suggestions. Maybe I should use some of the money I've tucked away to buy something non-nurse related to play with on my off time...maybe a craft kit or some books to read for fun instead of education (I don't think I've read for fun since before Nursing School so over 3 years now). I was going to get a gym membership but I keep thinking that I wouldn't end up using it since I'm so lazy on my weekend, maybe it's worth it though even if I only go once a week.

My dad taught me the fine art of the bargaining - I walked into a gym one today and negotiated a year's membership paid in full for half the regular price. I don't go as often as I should so I don't feel that bad about the money put out. Still when I do go I always feel better after some exercise. Right now is planting season for my vegetable garden so I am getting outside everyday, turning the dirt and planting. That is pretty vigorous exercise and it pays off in about 3 months with fresh food for the table.

Hppy

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