Re: Re: ACT, healthy habits, brain chemicals and neuroplasticity.

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Hi Helena:Thank you for your kind words. I appreciate it. I have been checked by several doctors, including my new GP who has a special interest in anxiety and depression and also by a naturopath. So far they haven't found anything like thyroid that would explain my symptoms. I wouldn't say I've ruled it out, as it does feel like something is wrong with me. But so far I haven't found anything. I have raised my vitamin D up quite a bit but that hasn't made a difference, either.Best wishes for your surgery. I hope it will go well and have the positive outcomes you mentioned. I can certainly understand being nervous about it.Thanks,BruceI can't imagine what living like that must feel like, Bruce. I can only sympathize. I think I asked this before, but have you ruled out any medical reason for your symptoms? I recently found out that my blood calcium is high and that can contribute to depression and loss of energy, not to mention a negative impact on bone health, kidneys, etc. The cause is a benign (most likely) tumor on my parathyroid gland - not uncommon - which regulates calcium, and I am going to have it surgically removed on October 13th. (I must say, I am very, very nervous about having my throat sliced open, and there is a risk of permanent damage to my voice box. I already postponed the surgery once due to my fears.) My doctor tells me that my mood and energy will most likely improve after surgery. His wife had the same surgery and he couldn't believe the difference in her afterward. Just wanted to mention that in case something physical is going on with you. Maybe not, but please be sure. HelenaTo: "ACT for the Public" <ACT_for_the_Public >Sent: Sunday, September 25, 2011 8:18:44 PMSubject: Re: Re: ACT, healthy habits, brain chemicals and neuroplasticity. I'm kind of down on neuroplasticity at the moment. I would like believe, for sure. But my mind has shown no ability to heal itself. My suffering just keeps getting worse. Since I've been on a more vigorous exercise program, I have not felt one bit better. If anything, I feel worse. Nor have other methods said to heal the mind like meditation done anything for me, either. I wonder if my subconscious rebels against these small efforts at improving my situation.Sorry to be a bit down but I'm feeling kind of at a bottom. I've lost my mojo completely and don't see any hope of getting it back at the present. Sustaining interest in anything other than my own psychological suffering seems impossible. I think at the heart of my problem is that I think about either the problem or some worry 24 hours a day and I don't seem to find any way out of that. Putting my attention somewhere else just doesn't happen for me. No matter what I'm doing, a good portion of my attention is evaluating my feelings. I'm living a life that seems aligned with my values but am getting no contentment from it, it just seems like obligation. Is it possible for the mind to feel only negative emotions? That seems to be where I am. Every random thought seems to be a negative judgement that hits like a punch. I like the emphasis in The Reality Slap about the Not Good Enough story. My conscious mind says things are fine as they are. My emotional mind is pounding on Not Good Enough. My conscious mind says accept what is. My emotional screams for an undefined "something else". It makes for a long day.BruceExcellent post, bruce, but don't expect miracles from any natural cures. Just add this in with your ACT work along your values and things can slowly change. I have cycled all my adult life but I still suffer with dreadful stress. Yet, today, I am fit as a fiddle and very nimble on my feet too. I have set myself for recovery and everything is in place for it.Kv> > > I've read that a proper exercise/diet/sleep schedule over time can > > increase endorphins/serotonin (not sure if I have the brain chemical > > names right) and this in turn can reduce the frequency of "negative > > thoughts/improve mood" and such. Also that the brain can change to > > be more "positive/emotionally resilient". How does this tie in with > > ACT? I'm under the understanding that we mostly can't control our > > thoughts and emotions, so should we expect or aim to improve our > > mood, or would this just be another thinking trap? Obviously living > > a healthier lifestyle is sure to PHYSICALLY bring about many > > benefits, but can it change our mind/brain and emotions for the > > better?> >> > -Thanks> >> >> >>