Epilepsy Talk
7 secrets for relaxation… | April 3, 2023
Feeling stressed, overwhelmed, and under water? Frazzled to the max?
You’re certainly in good company!
The challenges and demands of day-to-day life are overwhelming. Not to mention the triggers and seizures that can be a consequence.
So what can we do about it?
Obviously, relaxation techniques help prevent stress and anxiety, that lead to seizures.
In fact, many studies have found that greater than 50% of people experienced declines in seizure frequency just by using relaxation techniques!
I know, relaxation is easier said than done. But it CAN divert your seizures, or make the outcome a little less traumatic.
The best advice is to try to be pro-active. (I know, easier said than done!)
I’m sure you have your own techniques, but here are 7 that work best for me…
1. Deep breathing. I breath in through my nostrils with pursed lips from the diaphragm. (Note: ribs rise as opposed to tummy.) Then exhale twice as long as inhaling. Ten times in a row is best. Or you can try more if you’re feeling really tense. If you’re having trouble relaxing before going to bed, try 3-5 times. I try to make it a habit. The beauty of this is that you can do it any time, any where, and as long as you need to, until that nasty panic goes away.
2. Visualization. I think of a particular happy experience (or two) and sort of let it take over my body. Like watching the waves crash. Or eating a lobster roll in Maine.
3. Music. I take 30 minutes that’s just mine, get in a comfy chair, put on headphones and forget about the rest of the stuff. It’s so relaxing, that sometimes I feel like I’m transported to another place. Far, far away.
4. Walking a few miles or so. I try to take in my surroundings and forget about everything else. Sometimes it’s the trees, a bird flying by, flower gardens, a beautiful sunset. Or maybe watching other people (I admit it, I’m an incurable people watcher), cloud formations. Whatever presents itself before me. Being in the moment.
5. ‘Time-out periods’. They’re not just for kids! You may be overwhelmed or so stressed (or depressed) that you can’t take it for another moment. Giving yourself a time-out allows you to step back from the stressor or situation and defuse it. Think about the best way to handle it.
6. Join an epilepsy support group. You’d be surprised how many other people’s fears and concerns are just like yours. And together, you can help each other out. Also, there’s a feeling of accomplishment, sharing and of course, making new friends. After all, aren’t we all in this together?
7. I try to do something new that’s creative. (Obviously, after 45 years, it’s not writing.) Right now, I’m trying to learn more about my camera, so I can take some real pictures, other than just of my cat.
And last but not least: Laugh a little! Laugh a lot! How long has it been since you’ve seen a funny movie, heard a good joke, or just been silly??
To subscribe to Epilepsy Talk, simply go to the bottom box on the right, enter your email address and click on “Follow”.
Resources:
https://leadmin.org/articles/20-ways-to-reduce-stress
https://www.colorado.edu/law/25-quick-ways-reduce-stress
https://www.verywellmind.com/tips-to-reduce-stress-3145195
https://www.coastalorthopedics.com/blog/10-relaxation-techniques-to-reduce-stress
6 Comments »
Leave a Reply
About the author
Epilepsy Talk 
Reblogged this on Disablities & Mental Health Issues.
LikeLike
Comment by Kenneth — April 3, 2023 @ 12:14 PM
I loved walking this morning ! No rain ! Beautiful scenes of the bay. Flowers were blooming!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Comment by spike2wv — April 3, 2023 @ 12:58 PM
Breathe the scent in slowly. It’s divine. And a double bonus!
LikeLike
Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — April 3, 2023 @ 1:35 PM
Oh YES !! #6. I did or was wanting to join an EFA group, all to be humiliated from the people of BOTH groups where I went. So I went back to each group for a 2nd time, all tp reaffirm what their thoughts were about ME, ALL BECAUSE I WAS DIFFERENT from most to every person at each group. 1 person told me, I should just not say NOTHING because my views will put fear into every persons mind that a seizure will be triggered or will happen from their diet they have !! I thought WOW,, I am to stay SILENT & never say a word of the PROOF there is of all that ASPARTAME, MSG, NITRITES & NITRATES HAVE DONE TO PEOPLE of any neurological condition, NOT JUST CAUSE seizure in epilepsy patients. At the other place of an EFA meeting I saw 1 of the leaders of the team drinking DIET MOUNTAIN DEW. So yeah I kindly say MAYBE you need to drink WATER to help your brain chemistry better as long as it is not city or town water your drinking. The reply to me was like a EXPLOSION OF FIREWORKS in that persons brain, & I was told to mind my own diet & not hers. I said FINE, you reap what you sow, so do not cry out to anyone when your next seizure WILL happen. There you have it with diets even today as all of that was a good 15 years ago, and I do not believe that the EFA today even has meetings in those 2 areas today, as EFA are all in with the FDA & BIG PHARMA scams of pushing for gadgets & other schemes that never helps anyone in the long run. It’s all about MONEY to them all, not eliminating seizures for any 1 person in the BEST WAY or WAYS 1 person can try to do different things 1st, before GADGETS are the last resort or 1st resort in some cases depending on the seizure condition/s 1 may have. I asked WHAT DRUG I can try 1st, BEFORE I get a VNS or RNS, and XCOPRI seems to have been the drug I have been waiting for, for 61 years.WHY cannot kids & teens take the same XCOPRI with smaller doses during their brain development ? It’s there in that stage of the brain where brain changes can be made for LIFE, as once a brain is developed & SEIZURES CONTINUE, then they are for life in most cases after age 21 if they are still happening. EFA knows that, as does every neurologist AND WHO has our back at those ages of teens & YOUNGER or people like me pushing to 63 years old still can have seizure activity from NITRATES & NITRITES ? NITRATES, NITRITES, MSG’S & ASPARTAME’S are all a cargenegin & excitotoxin which is why I never want them in my BBB/ Blood Brain Barrier, TO THIS DAY, as I know the GRAND MALS that have happened in the past from all of it, & NONE OF IT EVER WAS A COINCIDENCE as all the experts love to say & IGNORE IT ALL. NOW 2 years ago or less, I WAS TOLD I will sooner than later come down with DEMENTIA because of my seizure condition/s I have had for all my life, by my neurologist. BUT hear this. I saw my neurologist on Thursday, & he asked about my taking XCOPRI & said to me ” it’s been 4 months that I have been seizure free”. I said WHAT ? Try saying 16 months as he could either NOT REMEMBER when he put me on the drug OR remember the last time I was there that i was 1 year seizure free before The Thursday visit. THEN HE TALKS & BRAGS his others how good of a neurologist he is to his people at the appointment desk & alike, while never saying to ME that WE DID IT TOGETHER !! So I wonder what EFA & other seizure groups would say about that. A patient seems to NEVER get credit for anything because ”we can never be able to THINK FOR OURSELVES because THEY know better. Right. God knows it all & THAT is what matters more than anything.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Comment by James D — April 4, 2023 @ 8:03 AM
Diet Mountain Dew? That’s suicide. In our support group, it’s water, all the way. And it certainly is more inclusive.
I’m sorry your experiences are so negative. But at least, you have us! ❤
LikeLike
Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — April 4, 2023 @ 10:24 AM
Thank you so much for your articles. They help alot !
LikeLiked by 1 person
Comment by Bonnie — April 5, 2023 @ 7:09 PM