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January 7, 2023 at 9:20 am #413338gettingHealthyParticipant
Thank you, online forums have been a very good way for me to get back into talking with people.
January 7, 2023 at 8:38 am #413335gettingHealthyParticipantIf 90% of what I do is healthy, and only 10% is unhealthy, Iām doing so much better than before that I should be very grateful for it. In addition, practicing meditation will slowly reduce my desire for nicotine over time, so Iām relatively unconcerned about that. If I put a cigarette filter over the mouth of my vape, that should reduce the negative effects even more (by trapping metal particles).
When I communicate, because I donāt normally communicate with people, all the information in my head is sort of pressurized, so I tend to go on for too long. Journaling and communicating with more people are helping with that.
Thank you very much!
January 7, 2023 at 7:34 am #413332gettingHealthyParticipantPlease also check out Yonge Mingyur Rinpocheās videos on YouTube, theyāre free and off basic instruction in open awareness meditation, which helped both him and me get rid of panic attacks.
January 7, 2023 at 7:22 am #413331gettingHealthyParticipantSorry if this post is too long, you could just skim it if you want to, Iām not sure how to trim it down.
I have a very difficult time sticking to schedules, itās just a part of my, relatively uncommon personality type (infp according to meyers briggs). However, by striking off the word schedule, and just keeping āDaily Routineā, I have been able to adapt to things like this, I just keep the list of things, and do different variations of them and allow more flexibility in time slots.
The diet Iāll be using is a tweaked version of the specific carbohydrate diet, which is designed to keep Crohnās disease in remission, and has mental health benefits also.
Also, you donāt really need to go through everything below too much, it ended up just being mostly a brain dump which helped me realize, upon review, I already live a full and busy life full of meaning, which was nice to realize. It reminds me of the mexican fisherman story if youāve ever heard it, if you havenāt and youāre curious, Iāll link it in my next post.
āāāāāāāāāāā-
So, not that you need details, but a plan would be sort of like this: wake up, have coffee and adhd medicine, wait for about 30 minutes before breakfast (necessary for my specific medication), have breakfast (eggs with onions, veggies, homemade hot sauce, and maybe some salmon on the side), listen to music, rest a little bit and have half my gum, or when I find it, vape, start my daily projects which vary from hobbies to studying web dev (not sure how much of each Iāll be doing),
have coffee with cocoa powder stirred in every here and there until ~10 am, then switch to decaf, exercise (treadmill, sword exercises, bodyweight exercises, etc.) stretch a bit, snacks in between meals of a small quantity of walnuts, some fruit, and sometimes olives, homemade fruit juice and carbonated water sodas 1-3 a day (30% juice max, 70+% carbonated water), meditate or journal, or rest, just working with my mind and emotions, lunch, potentially a half glass of wine ā but not every day, brushing my teeth while watching dhamma talks or psychology lectures (my main entertainment that I watch), run and feed my cat for her snack time, feed her lunch, sit with her after lunch, possibly while journaling/watching videos.
Vape as desired once found (nicotine gum is much more expensive than homemade vaporizer fluid mg per mg of nicotine), possibly nap/meditate for 15 minutes not quite falling asleep, ideally read a little every day, try to complete some projects and brainstorm on others, self-massage once a week during the day, sexual experience once a week during the day (most convenient time for me as less people are around), have my lunch, organize and clean a little, work on maintaining my electronics, dump the bucket of water under by bathtub faucet(it leks and the seal that seals the drain pipe to the tube is gone right now, so it goes into the roof of my garage and has to be captured so that doesnāt happen), shower every other day(I have to use my parentās shower and my momās always home, so it makes me uncomfortable), informal meditation throughout the day of 10 seconds to a minute, routine tasks like getting my prescriptions filled and finding the coupons for them (my health insurance under my parents ended in november, but Iāll be getting some soon), cook every morning, and cook ahead of time for several meals every couple days. Begin fermenting soybeans, sauerkraut, and homemade wine for probiotic effect and to save money.
In the evening play some games, have a large glass of dry red wine, a slice of extra sharp cheddar, some walnuts, and a pickle. Hang out with family, talk with online friends and acquaintances, feed the cat, have dinner, stop nicotine use ~ 2-3 hours before bed so the stimulant effect wears off, maybe another small snack, preferably no more wine, but for the first 2-3 weeks Iāll be liberal with it, have a melatonin and take my other medicine, go upstairs, turn off the main lights and turn up my salt lamps for their reddish light, meditate and listen to relaxing music and fireplace sounds, and go to sleep. I can also use cbd hemp as desired, thc has become unenjoyable for me since my last major psychiatric problem occurred (and thankfully that hasnāt recurred), itās too psychedelic for me no to use daily, and I save it for occasional spiritual-related use (and only the delta 8 variety, which is legal in my state, whereas the natural delta 9 is not). Cbd sometimes helps me, but I find it only helps when I crave it, I think my body knows when I should take it and when I should not.
āāāāāāāāāā-
So, basically, a chaotic routine, which has many things the same each day, and many things different. Without the daily variation, I kind of end up wanting to pull my hair out, lol. Pleasure aka kama is a concept I like in Hinduism, though Iām mostly Buddhist, there are aspects of other religions I quite like, and I do also pull from Christianity, Hinduism, Yoga, and Shamanism of various types. Again although, Iām primarily Buddhist in my approach to spirituality. I also pull from psychology, psychiatry, biology, philosophy, ethics, and other sciences, subjects, and areas.
I plan to make a weekly meal plan for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks. A weekly priority list, brainstorming lists, a rich and meaningful life plan (an idea from a YouTube psychologist), a values list, a meditation list (types and such), a list of forums where I engage socially, and entertainment list (I want to start reading and listening to books again), a hygiene and grooming plan, a study plan (I want to learn web dev, 3d modeling and animation, math, biology, and several other things), a list of SMART goals(specific, measurable, achievable, realistic/relevant, and time limited), and a few other lists and plans, a list of herbal and non-herbal supplements to buy or make(I need to make a salt supplement for example as I tend to run low on sodium).
Iām actually a very busy, productive, and hard-working person it turns out, even though I rarely think of myself as such, usually viewing myself as lazy because I get tired a lot and make lots of time for rest in the day. Thanks for encouraging me to write stuff out, it really helps, and since I tend to be verbose, the way you cut them down into concise point is very helpful. It helps me take excessively detailed and broad ideas and narrow them down.
January 7, 2023 at 5:47 am #413327gettingHealthyParticipantSo, I donāt use the gum as intended. I actually skipped smoking and went straight for the gum. Itās a dopamine/pleasure thing. Instead of eating or drinking to feel good, I chew gum and drink some coffee. Anyways, mindfulness helps, but the meditations only last an hour or so max. I eat more flavorful and healthy food when Iām on my diet/lifestyle change, but my appetite is excessive. anything that creates pleasure, acts as a substitute for eating more than I need to.
So, between periods of meditation, when I eat, I need to eat just enough to not be hungry, but not so much as to be full. The problem is my stomach is larger since I became obese, so my appetiteās larger. Cannabis, nicotine, alcohol, etc. give enough satisfaction between meals I donāt need to go back and eat more when Iām not physically hungry.
I have a vaporizer, but I lost it, so in the meantime Iāve been chewing nicotine gum. Nicotine on itās own is fairly low in harm without the other things found in tobacco smoke. I also have adhd, which results in lower dopamine and a frequent search for pleasure.
Meditation works while Iām doing it, and helps in between, but I need some way to bridge the gap because I crave food or drink, etc. when Iām done meditating. If I really want to drop weight, I have to find other ways to produce enough dopamine.
I can do this with coffee/caffeine, spicy foods, my adhd medication, dark chocolate, nicotine, cannabis, alcohol, strong cheeses, bright light/sunshine, exercise, video games, social interaction, dhamma talks, psychology lectures, petting my cat, working on hobbies, burning incense, sexual experiences, hot baths, self-massage, stretching, journaling, etc.
Itās just been hard to balance these things without over relying on one or the other. And i tend to feel guilty by successfully losing weight using substances. Especially if I going to do a fundraiser for the surgery in the end, I want my methods of weight loss to be something most people can do too.
January 6, 2023 at 3:04 pm #413313gettingHealthyParticipantI need to find a new vice until Iām better at mindfulness, as when I donāt overeat, I want to do something else instead. When I originally lost my weight, I used a lot of cannabis and drank a lot of coffee, but I canāt do that anymore, and alcohol has calories. I do chew nicotine gum, maybe Iāll use that.
January 6, 2023 at 2:59 pm #413312gettingHealthyParticipantHappy new year to you too! Sorry for such a long time between posts. Iām going to start dieting soon.
December 29, 2022 at 1:50 pm #412839gettingHealthyParticipantYou are right, endorphins mostly reduce pain, but blood circulation, movement, lowered stress response, and the bodyās own āCannabisā anandamide (which is powerfully anti-inflammatory), which is also released, also reduce inflammation. A reasonable sex life has many health benefits for most people.
Anyways, they are excellent practices (the meditative ones) and are indeed great to pursue, I mostly pursue open awareness and loving kindness at this time, which have eliminated my panic attacks.
Also, thanks for the agreement on finding a partner, most people look down on you if you want finacial support. Talk to you tomorrow also, good evening.
December 29, 2022 at 1:11 pm #412836gettingHealthyParticipantIn addition, rubbing the ears, and deep breathing also stimulate the vagus nerve, neither sexual nor anal stimulation are necessary for this.
December 29, 2022 at 12:45 pm #412835gettingHealthyParticipantAlso, as examples of the first point, open awareness, jhanas, mindfulness and loving kindness also can reduce inflammation over time, they just are less conducive to producing an income.
December 29, 2022 at 12:41 pm #412834gettingHealthyParticipantRegarding physical and emotional pleasure and its effects on inflammation (which is a surprisingly large topic), it does distract from it, however, the neurochemical changes and vagus nerve stimulation the type of which is caused by the sexual activities I enjoy actually does reduce inflammation. This is largely due to increases in the neurotransmitters anandamide and dopamine which have direct anti-inflammatory effects, as well as increasing serotonin, norepinephrine, and endorphins, which reduce the stress response, the stress response being a major contributor to inflammation. These benefits can be obtained in many other ways; however, none so far have been both compatible and effective for me with physical labor. In addition, sexual activity is dynamic, whereas many entry level physical jobs such as restaurant work involve much standing in place, which irritate my guts dramatically mor than dynamic physical activity, which involve motion, as sexual activity does. In addition, as gross as it is to say, anal stimulation directly stimulates the vagus nerve, inducing relaxation, reducing stress, and lowering inflammation. Ultimately, any enjoyable activity (even eating dark chocolate, sexuality is not an important factor) which does not directly harm the gut, improves the course of crohnās disease.
All that aside, becoming a life coach is feasible for me as well, especially incorporating those principles, from Buddhism and elsewhere that have helped me.
But the way you summed up my desires in a relationship helped me realize itās not unethically selfish for me to want to have a partner and have them support me financially. I can work to make a small income on the side, but if Iām open and honest while searching for a partner, I should one day be able to find someone who genuinely is happy to care for me in the ways I have a hard time doing, while I care for them and others, making it a win-win. I believe after some consideration that this is the best course of action for me to pursue.
December 29, 2022 at 12:15 pm #412830gettingHealthyParticipantAlso, reviewing you statement on my desires in a relationship, I donāt sound nearly as greedy as I fear myself to be when unchecked. This actually does seem like the best course of action for me, if undertaken with due caution, sincerity, honesty, compassion, and expectations. Your responses help me to take some of the excessive judgement I give myself away, and for that I thank you deeply and sincerely.
December 29, 2022 at 11:40 am #412828gettingHealthyParticipant*donāt have in the first paragraph should be donāt hate
December 29, 2022 at 11:38 am #412827gettingHealthyParticipantI have never been on a webcam except for when seeing doctors. I donāt fancy it; however, my sexual stamina is very high, which would make it at least a feasible option. This is something that is uncommon for me, I at least donāt have sexual sensation, it doesnāt contribute directly to otherās physical health problems or my own like so many ordinary jobs do (even working at a grocery store one sells liquor), and physical pleasure actually reduces my physical symptoms by reducing inflammation in the intestines and throughout the body.
I have never been a life coach but find it easy to help people psychologically and emotionally online. Regarding Buddhism, I have been able to partially follow all but the fifth precept, the abstaining from intoxicants. Buddhist monks, whose talks are free on youtube, whose discussions are free online, who right cheap books, and Buddhist laypeople and communities time and again have reduced my suffering more than any therapist or psychiatrist managed to do. I simply question my ability to renounce sexuality and psychoactive substances. If it were not for these to hindrances, which are effectively equal for me, I would have only mild difficulty acting as a monk.
I would most like to simply be supported for who I am without having to give out favors, ideally on my own at least for a time to get to know myself, but perhaps with a partner. For me itās just a question of whether or not I expect or at least desire too much out of a relationship.
December 29, 2022 at 10:47 am #412823gettingHealthyParticipantAlso, Good afternoon (as it is here) anita!
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