Sorry. I just had this run through my head to the tune of Disney’s “Alice in Wonderland” song “A Very Happy Unbirthday!” Strange where my mind will take us! 😜
So…I’ve been struggling a lot with anxiety lately. To the point where it almost crippled me. I know in my heart that God is good and that He’s got us! I mean, come on! We have seen His work in our lives countless times! “But! But! But!” My mind screams and the quote “Be still and know that I am God,” runs after the buts!
Yeah, but does that slow the fight, flight, or freeze response? Ha! Ha! Surely you jest?!!! Of course it doesn’t. By itself. But I’ll tell you what helps in addition to the prayers – the deep breathing exercises I got from my physical therapist last week. Yeah. Who knew that just letting all that air into my diaphragm would help my uppelvic floor relax and take the tension off my lower back and hips would do such a myriad of wonderful things?
Since my horrific car accident in 2015 (I was in the front passenger seat when my ex went through a changing light and the oncoming car turning left thought it would be a great time to go!) where my pelvis was shattered and my kneecap was cracked in half, my body has not been the same. Oh, sure, the surgery went well and I “recovered” in rehab. However, I found later that there were many issues from said accident.
First and foremost, and I don’t mean to be graphic here, but after I relearned how to walk, I had much trouble using the restroom. Eventually, the catheter came out and I was on meds to go. Then I got off of the meds (I really hate meds and only take what is absolutely necessary!) I thought things were fine. It never occurred to me that struggling to urinate was something that didn’t just come with old age (even though I wasn’t that old!) I thank all the ads for adult products and pills for that mindset!
Yes, everyone! There Is Help! I happened to mention something to my health care provider, and she set me up with a PT. OK. I didn’t know what to expect, but I was happy that breathing really helped me to relax, and not just my pelvic floor! This week my PT gave me some stretches for my lower back and hips. It’s amazing, but I can now stand for longer periods of time without being in agony! I can dance with my kids and the Wii. Our favorite songs and dance moves are back, people! I haven’t felt this good in a long, long time! Back before David became a monster. Back before the marriage and the kids. Now I feel good and I have my kids! Yay PT!
So, this has really helped my mental health and especially my anxiety. Do I still have it? You betcha. But does it overwhelm me? Not like it used to! Thank God!
Have you suffered from anxiety or other mental health issues? Let me know in the comments and what you do to help!
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I suffer from anxiety and it can be really tough. But we have to keep fighting and doing our best despite it! Sorry you’ve been more anxious lately but I’m sure things will look up for you soon!
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Thank you! Yes, the PT and oils are really helping!
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You’re welcome and that’s great!
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Wow, this post shows a huge curve of progress from where you were to where you are now, seeking out tools and using them.
Anxiety can come from 2 sources, 1 when we struggle to believe that we are loved and cared for by God and his heavenly host, that they are working thingsout on our behalf, and 2 when we struggle to believe in ourselves and out ability to do or handle certain things in our lives.
You seem to have a very strong handle on God loving you, so are you unsure of your own capabilities to navigate what you need to?
If I may suggest, the same affirmations that you tell yourself and remind yourself that God loves you, tell yourself the same things.
You may not have had the skills when you first started to manage your life as well as you are doing now, bit you developed them. Same thing for the future things you will do. You are seeking out the tools and the help you need, so you will learn and develop the new skills.
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Thank you! This was so helpful!
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You’ve got this! You are more capable than you think you are! Just look at what you have accomplished in the past 12 months. Did you think you’d be able to do all those things before? Look at you now, you have! You are incrementally tackling each thing and accomplishing what you thought was impossible for you before!
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Thank you so much for your words of encouragement! ☺️
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Absolutely!
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