Well Shucks

Shucks. I wish I could say that I've been really busy, but I haven't really. I've been doing a lot of sleeping and a little bit of cleaning and some yoga and reading and that's about it. I suppose that doesn't really make me a slug-but sometimes I feel like it.

I remember going through a similar period after my last major relapse where I spent a lot of time taking things easy and simply doing what felt right and not what I thought I should be doing. I think part of the issue right now is I'm just doing nothing instead of mindfully doing what I want!

I have a check-up next week with my ARNP but I think I already know what I need to do. I need structure, I need better nutrition and exercise, and I need to get a counselor that I can afford.

Sure, the meds have stopped me from wanting to jump off our balcony, but they can only do so much. I've found in the past that talking to a therapist gives me the kick in the pants to go the extra mile and really take charge of my life.

I think it's important that people remember that antidepressants and other medications-while they can save your life-don't take away your responsibility for your own health.

Our consumerist culture supports the reasoning that a citizen's responsibility is to purchase help. The emphasis is on gathering funds or holding insurance policies that will grant patients access to their care and cures.

Communicating with health care professionals and working towards better health is often pushed aside and replaced with medication commercials and fix-all pills. Why bother exercising for cardiovascular health if you can just pop a pill when your blood stops flowing properly?

Yes, I'm glad for all the medical advances and technology we have here today. Advances in medical care save many people who wouldn't have any other chance at life. But these advances can be a double-edged sword.

People are forgetting how to take care of themselves.

Think about it. Our culture doesn't create a healthy environment or support healthy lifestyles very well. (Hell, I'm not sure there is a culture out there doing this exceedingly well right now) The emphasis is on making money and spending money. People aren't allowed time to simply BE, instead we're constantly bombarded by messages to hit the malls or stores or visit this laser-surgery center. The bottom line: we should all be doing "something" and spending money all the time.

Taking time for reflection or pure relaxation is classified as a luxury. The pressure to perform is immense and sadly, some people never realize that this is external stimuli and can be rejected. The constant stress of our lives causes so many health problems and struggle and the solution isn't a medication it is a different way of living that complements our body's natural function.

We're just not built for around-the-clock work schedules, sedentary lifestyles, and buy-this-feel-better living. We're more complex than that and people are forgetting how to listen to their bodies and their souls to care for and protect themselves.

Today many people live in a way that benefit bigwigs running multi-million dollar companies instead of living to benefit themselves and their loved ones. And often times, they can't tell the difference and have no one to tell them there is a different way.

Whew. Start me talking about being a lazy bum and look what happens! Happy Friday ;o)