Some things that I have found very helpful in my recovery from Lyme require a certain amount of privacy and focus. Mindfulness practices, journaling, DNRS, and bodywork all require me to have no distractions, no interruptions, and no chance of anyone seeing or hearing me.

Not everyone has this challenge, but I naturally attune outwardly first, and until everything external has been addressed, I cannot focus inward effectively. I have a child and partner and pets; the child homeschools, the partner works from home, and the pets ... do pet things at home. And now we are self-quarantined potentially for months!

I was looking forward to re-committing to these practices because I never see improvement in my conditions without them, but I need advice about how to focus! Are there ways to get the illusion of privacy? Are there other practices that somehow attune you with your body and center you that don't require much mindful effort? I'm not really sure if this is a realistic question so much as a venting of frustration.

I feel like there's always an excuse to vegetate with Netflix instead of meditating, but I have to break that pattern if I want to see real progress. Let me know if you have any ideas!

And now, I will attempt a half-assed round of DNRS because my peeps are outside....

An ir sauna is a good place to get some privacy. It also helps when doing DNRS memories where the weather was warm. I usually have piano music on when Im the sauna but today I put on Bob Marley that often was playing when we where in Thailand many years ago. The music + the heat really helped in getting in the feeling.

Thanks, everyone. I know we're all dealing with some level of challenge right now due to the virus working its way through this world we all share, on top of the challenges we already have!

Deep_sleep - A schedule is a good idea. It's great that you fit so much in each day! Are you finding DNRS helpful? What kinds of yoga and meditation do you do? Your Bob Marley sauna experience sounds great! Unfortunately I don't have access to a sauna, but I like the notion of setting up a vibe.

Sandyfeet - Yes, you understand about homeschooling! Reminders from my phone would be helpful. My partner used to have a computer app that turns off the screen for five minutes every hour and can't be overridden, which was a great reminder to breathe, stretch, etc. Maybe something similar would help for me right now, as i definitely spend far too much time on the computer. You're also right about the importance of being present in everyday tasks and finding more ease in the things that we do; thanks for that reminder.

Running wild - Breathing exercises and meditation are helpful for me, and I find them so beneficial every time I do them, yet I have to force myself to do them! They are the last things for which I'm ever in the mood! I wish there were a trick for acquiring the proper mindset. My mother-in-law gets up at 4:30 every morning and meditates for two hours, and then does it again in the afternoon. I just can't imagine doing that, but I admire the discipline, and I understand that she didn't do that when her kids were young! My goal is much more modest than her practice, of course, but I know even a few minutes per day would be helpful.

Thanks for engaging with me on this, folks.

saraeli said...
I was looking forward to re-committing to these practices because I never see improvement in my conditions without them, but I need advice about how to focus! Are there ways to get the illusion of privacy? Are there other practices that somehow attune you with your body and center you that don't require much mindful effort? I'm not really sure if this is a realistic question so much as a venting of frustration.

I feel like there's always an excuse to vegetate with Netflix instead of meditating, but I have to break that pattern if I want to see real progress. Let me know if you have any ideas!

An “illusion” of privacy is extremely difficult. I would suggest picking a specific time of day that works for all concerned, and letting your household know that you need x amount of time (even just 10-15 minutes) in a closed room to better your health. Think of it as an appointment with yourself. If you need noise cancelling headphones or “quiet sound” so be it. Eventually minor noise from outside the room is easily dismissed.

There are other ways to get the inner focus to your healing energy while doing mundane chores - mobile meditation. Of course, yoga, QiGong, TaiChi, dance, etc., are all good forms. But...as was mentioned about washing dishes, or doing laundry, or whatever - when “doing something” that really doesn’t require your outside focus too much - it is easy to think about your “inner smile”. Focus on a “light feeling” in your heart. Some find it by visualizing a happy-face emoji burning in your heart centre. Or adding a “beat” to folding laundry or putting away dishes, etc.

Essentially, it is doing anything to force your mind out of the “left” brain, the analytical boring depressing past and future planning left brain - and into the upbeat happy creative now experiencing “right” brain. This is why Netflix is addicting - a person tends to default to the right brain “experiencing” when watching shows - not thinking much about the past, present worries, or planning for the future.

But even just 15 minutes a day allotted to quiet time where you can focus on mentally checking through your body you help heal yourself. It is not about the quantity of time, but the regular need for it, much like regular sleep is needed for healthy living.

All the best!

astroman said...
Just being in nature is a huge self-mental thing for myself as well, luckily I have access to that very easily. Calm snowy winter woods is the opposite but some ways the same as a calm mellow drift on a lake for my inner self.

That’s great! Absorbing nature’s natural energy. it is important for those of us that have chronic illness. What’s that old saying, “go for a walk in the park“ - to make you feel better.

Also, being ones own best friend is so important. Sounds like you have it there.

But yeah, I can see how it could be difficult for natural extroverts with a strong need to be around people all the time. Care is needed since some people are energy stealers (nobody likes that - it is very draining), but it is so nice to be around people who glow, giving their energy to everyone around them.