Yes, this is important. And I think it's doubly important for POTSies, with all the extra heart-speeding adrenaline rushing around all the time with nowhere to go.
I was in a bad headspace last weekend after a big relapse. My thoughts were spinning out of control and I was panicky at all the bodily sensations that felt like they didn't belong. I couldn't bring myself down by watching funny tv or by trying grounding techniques (count five sounds, etc.) - I felt like I couldn't distract myself. But then I had a flash of inspiration and turned to youtube to find videos on self-massage techniques for anxiety, figuring there must be such a thing, and figuring nothing feels better than physical comfort when my brain is refusing to co-operate.
There is, and it worked! After a few minutes I felt relief wash in, and something else wash away, and I began crying. I think partly at the physical release, and partly because it felt like I was actually giving myself something - comfort, affection, nurture. Dare I say love? I'm not usually good at that sort of thing. Usually I try to think my way out of things and tell myself off for feeling as I do. This was much more effective.
I made the connection that laughter helps even during the first few weeks of acute illness. So even while the body was working harder and flooded with stress hormones, it obviously felt reassured by it’s owner laughing. I make a point of smiling and laughing now, watching favourite tv programmes, laughing at myself .... after my routinely slow waking the other morning, my tummy indicated so loudly that it was high time I got up and fed it, it made me laugh out loud. I was also happy because I knew my parasympathetic state was getting back to normal.... albeit slowly. These as you’ve pointed out were all feelings not just thoughts. Thanks for the blog and have a touchy feely day 😊
Yes, this is important. And I think it's doubly important for POTSies, with all the extra heart-speeding adrenaline rushing around all the time with nowhere to go.
I was in a bad headspace last weekend after a big relapse. My thoughts were spinning out of control and I was panicky at all the bodily sensations that felt like they didn't belong. I couldn't bring myself down by watching funny tv or by trying grounding techniques (count five sounds, etc.) - I felt like I couldn't distract myself. But then I had a flash of inspiration and turned to youtube to find videos on self-massage techniques for anxiety, figuring there must be such a thing, and figuring nothing feels better than physical comfort when my brain is refusing to co-operate.
There is, and it worked! After a few minutes I felt relief wash in, and something else wash away, and I began crying. I think partly at the physical release, and partly because it felt like I was actually giving myself something - comfort, affection, nurture. Dare I say love? I'm not usually good at that sort of thing. Usually I try to think my way out of things and tell myself off for feeling as I do. This was much more effective.
10/10 would recommend.
I made the connection that laughter helps even during the first few weeks of acute illness. So even while the body was working harder and flooded with stress hormones, it obviously felt reassured by it’s owner laughing. I make a point of smiling and laughing now, watching favourite tv programmes, laughing at myself .... after my routinely slow waking the other morning, my tummy indicated so loudly that it was high time I got up and fed it, it made me laugh out loud. I was also happy because I knew my parasympathetic state was getting back to normal.... albeit slowly. These as you’ve pointed out were all feelings not just thoughts. Thanks for the blog and have a touchy feely day 😊
Thank you, Kath! Touchy feely days are the best kind!