The Solutions That Helped Me Get Out Of My Rut
Tuesday, April 21, 2009 at 12:28PM No doubt about it my friends. I've been in a rut.
That's why you haven't heard from me in a while.
Between a family crisis in January, followed by a severe upper respiratory infection that knocked me out for six weeks, and protracted, harsh, gray winter -- I got stuck in a rut.
But hey...let's remember...I'm a coach...Right?
I knew what I had to do! It was time for some serious self-care.
During those difficult days I tried to:
- Increase my connection with my social network (the live, local kind, not the twitter kind :)
- Eat better - lots of green smoothies, whole grains etc...
- Sleep more - I decided to not be such a miser with my sleep anymore -- I tried to get a full 7-8 hours.
- Get more light - I pulled out my lightbox and used it a couple of times
- Exercise a couple of times a week
In short, I did the things I knew I *should* do, and I still had good days, but I often felt sluggish and down. Maybe I didn't do them as consistently as I should have, but that's the challenge of breaking out of a rut -- It's hard to implement solutions when your get-up-and-go actually got-up-and-went --- without you!
Therefore...despite all my knowledge, self-awareness, and best efforts...
I found myself lacking energy, unable to focus, needing lots of sleep, and losing interest in things I usually enjoyed (like blogging).
This was not me.
But it was still "me" enough to look for solutions.
I started myself on Sam E -- a supplement that was originally marketed for joint health -- but was found to improve mood as well.
The next week, I went to my doctor for a check up and I mentioned that I had been feeling down and I didn't have my usual energy. Since I had recently had a through blood test, we ruled out physical causes. We talked for a few minutes and I filled out a depression screening. She suggested that I consider giving anti-depressants a try, but after evaluating that my depression was not severe, she left the decision up to me. I took the samples home, and started googling and talking to friends about their experiences with antidepressants.
After some research about the possible side effects, and the realization that they could take weeks to take effect, I opted to hold off for another week and give some of the more natural approaches a solid try for a little longer.
I don't know if the SamE finally kicked in, or the weather changing really helped, or just knowing that I had the option of taking anti-depressants took some pressure off --- but the next day (after getting the samples) I felt better, and I continued to feel better for the rest of the week.
Once "the bottom was lifted" I tried other strategies to help lift my spirits. First, I sought inspiration. I listened to the audio versions several books. First I listened to Life Is A Test: How To Meet Life's Challenges Successfully by Rebbitzen Esther Jungries. Next I enjoyed audio versions of Martha Beck's books Follow Your North Star and Steering By Starlight. They are quite thought-provoking and inspirational and I think they really helped. I look forward to listening to them again, and doing the exercises in the books.
Next, I tried Emotional Freedom Techinque (EFT) to help me difuse some of my more challenging emotions. EFT is a theraputic tool based on a theory that negative emotions are caused by disturbances in the body's energy field and that tapping on the meridians while thinking of a negative emotion alters the body's energy field, restoring it to "balance." For more information on EFT I strongly recommend the book and video "Try It On Everything" You can learn more here: http://www.solutionsforbusymoms.com/tryitoneverything
Finally, I decided that I needed to learn how to meditate to quiet my "monkey mind." However, it can take YEARS to learn how to meditate and receive it's benefits. So I purchased an audio, that I had heard about from several collegues, which helps simulate the brain wave patterns that occur during deep meditation. I've been using it every morning. I think it is helping (and is much cheaper than anti-depressants in the long run!) I'll write more about it later, but for now, you can find it here: http://www.solutionsforbusymoms.com/automaticmeditation
With all of these new strategies (i.e. Sam-E, Inspirational Audio books. EFT, and the brainwave entrainment audio) I'm happy to say have been able to avoid the use of anti-depressants this time. (I have never taken them, but I would not hesistate if I felt that I really needed them and my other strategies were not working.)
And so...despite the hectic Passover holiday, I am happy to say that I finally feeling like I am getting back to "myself." I'm currently working behind-the-scenes to upgrade this website, and I look forward to blogging a lot more frequently!
You'll be seeing more from me very very soon!
Reader Comments (3)
I really appreciate your comment. I have already gotten flack from some family members for posting something "so personal" on my blog. My attitude is that it's nothing to be ashamed of, and that many women experience what I have, and that maybe my solutions could help someone else.
While I may be a Professional Life/Family Mangager Coach, and I love to find and share solutions, I'll never lie to you all and try to portray myself as perfect and having-it-all-together-at-all-times. I'm perfectly imperfect. I'm always seeking solutions because I have challenges like everyone else and I'm able to help other women, as a Coach, in large part because I'm honest about my struggles and imperfections and tackle my own challenges head-on! That's me. Take it or leave it!
I love and appreciate my family members who are so concerned about my welfare -- but this is my choice and I'll deal with the consequences, if there are any.