Re: Need advice on keeping my mind busy and relaxing.

[Guest guest]

Hi Donna,

I have had that scare so many times that I've decided I only allow myself to

worry when I know exactly what it is I need to worry about. So, no

researching anything on the internet ok?

Now,for me to relax, I do things that brought me comfort as a kid. For me,

that's animal crackers, crayons and coloring books. My 52 y o sister likes

to make those loom potholders.

Keep lots of light reading on hand...catalogs...seed catalogs to plan next

years garden.

I would love to know what crafts everyone else did as kids to entertain

themselves.

Ellen.

Donna-Marie wrote:

I have been told by a few people that it's unlikely to be due to it actually

being the big C but it could be laying silent any idea's how I can keep my

brain busy so I don't think of it much as that will make me more ill then I

am already. Any idea's please

[Guest guest]

--- Donna Hurst wrote:

>

> Hello All,

>

> I have been told by a few people that it's unlikely to be due to it actually

being the big C but it could be laying silent any idea's how I can keep my brain

busy so I don't think of it much as that will make me more ill then I am

already. Any idea's please

>

>Dear Donna-Marie,

In my humble opinion, and not in any way to diminish your right to feel anguish

at this time, we all have the Big " C " laying dormant inside of us, we all have

the potential at any time...it's just the nature of things in today's world.

That same potential for " disaster " is there from many other possibilities in

daily life as well, being in a terrible accident, victim of a crime, etc.

I for one, just can't live my life with all those things on my mind. It would be

maddening, worse, maybe than actually having them happen, I suppose. Instead, I

have found that when I busy myself with helping others with their problems, it

takes the focus off mine. I also am left with such positive feelings that mine

seem to disappear into the background. It's tiring and sometimes a bit

overwhelming but my mind is definitely diverted from all thoughts of my demise.

I hope this helps you. It's not exactly the " relaxing " part you asked for, but I

find too much of that just gives me more time to worry and speculate.

Best of luck,

Debie

[Guest guest]

I have to lay down and go to the beach and try to think of waves crashing

against the shore and repeating the word RELAX helps me sometimes.

When I keep my mind busy it is normally trying to get laundry done and

doing dishes and picking up things off the floor if I am able, this is how I

keep busy.

Right now reading relaxes me only to a point and then I try to rest

afterwards

I wish I could help more

Ps. I run a fan at night to create white noise to help me sleep. then when I

go somewhere else I have a hard time sleeping though, esp the hospital the

last few weeks.

[Guest guest]

--- Donna Hurst wrote:

>

> I have been told by a few people that it's unlikely to be due to it actually

being the big C but it could be laying silent any idea's how I can keep my brain

busy so I don't think of it much as that will make me more ill then I am

already. Any idea's please

>

It sounds like you might benefit by learning some meditation techniques. In

some " open meditation " techniques, you learn how to acknowledge the anxious

thought, then let it go. With practice you're able to do it outside of

meditation as well. You have the thought, but you don't let it tie you up in

cycles of " what if. " You acknowledge it, then consciously choose to let it go.

There is lots of information on the web for self-taught techniques. You don't

need to buy tapes or lessons. Just read and apply the techniques yourself, but

realize it takes practice.

Sometimes what we need isn't to " stay busy " with distractions, but to let

ourselves have the feelings and then be able to let them go so they don't

cripple us.

But if you are looking for distraction, find something that interests you. Funny

movies, a craft, a potential hobby that you can study up on and learn about that

you would find engrossing - for example, I'm setting up a fish tank again for

the first time in years and am having fun searching the web for info about

different fish that are compatible and re-learning about water testing and

equipment etc etc.

I also agree with whoever it was who suggested staying OFF the internet in terms

of looking up information about potential diagnoses and symptoms and treatments.

That is completely counter-productive at this stage!

Good luck.

Cheryl in AZ

Moderator

[Guest guest]

Meditation is a great idea. I even had someone suggest that I envision my

thought with two legs walking out of a door, marked EXIT. Worked like a

charm.

I also scanned all our family photos to back up on DVDs. Now That was a

project.

Ellen

[Guest guest]

Hello Donna-Marie,

I have not been with the group that long so I don’t know much about you and

you know even less about me. (I really should join in more)

I just wanted to say I find reading short stories helps me fill in time I would

otherwise spend worrying. I keep a few on hand about

things that are not real life like magic, mystical type things or some short

funny stories.

I also love audio books just putting my head phones on and letting the story

tellers voice wash over my mind it takes me back to being a kid and people

reading to me. You can get loads of audio books free online.

I’m in Cardiff like you, and I used to love going to the town centre even just

window shopping as a kid, but now I don’t get out much since I have been ill I

now do my window shopping online and all my real shopping to.

I also used to love the National Museum Cardiff its so quiet and peaceful there.

Nice slow walks around Cardiff Castle grounds, Roath park, of course, not

forgetting to feed the fish and the amazing swans, or the hidden gem that is

Rumney hill gardens.

Well I hope that has given you some ideas sorry this email turned out longer

than I intended.

You will be in my thoughts xxx

> Donna-Marie wrote:

> I can keep my brain busy so I don't think of it much as that will make me more

ill then I am already. Any idea's please

[Guest guest]

Check out www.laughteryoga.org for a group that uses laughter for relaxation.

Just a thought.

Alan

> Donna-Marie wrote:

> I can't keep my brain busy so I don't think of it much as that will make me

more ill then I am already. Any idea's please