#meditation for chronic illness

[compassionmattersmost]

Calling All Beings to Send Love and Peace: A Message for Our Community

Harnessing Inner Peace: A Pacing Toolkit Tool for Those Living with ME/CFS or Long Covid As we face the approach of Hurricane Milton, we are reminded of the moment when Jesus calmed the storm on the Sea of Galilee. His disciples, filled with fear, watched as He spoke these simple yet powerful words: “Peace! Be still!” And the storm settled. This is such a time for us to look at the storm that’s…

[soup-spoonie]

Can anyone recommend a good book about practicing mindfulness while living with chronic illness and chronic pain?

Every time I search online for this kind of thing I just get a bunch of "Conquer Your Pain in 30 days Through Mindfulness!!!!" nonsense written by rich doctors.

I just really want to learn more about the "my body hates me" to "make friends with my vagus nerve" pipeline and how to wield it better. But I want to learn from some who Gets It.

[melodymorningdew]

I am honoring my true self by allowing myself space to be enraged.

I love you, me. Your anger is valid. I ignored you for too long and I'm sorry.

[froggieco]

Wow the medical field has come so far in the treatment of migraines 😀

(I say as I'm lying in bed for the 9th day with no vision, light and sound physically hurt, and one side of my face is in complete excruciating pain)

Some things about me (context)

I've had a migraine for 2 years and I've tried and failed all the things the doctors have wanted me to and so now I'm just here with a constant migraine for an indefinite amount of time with no pain relief (so I'm a little aggravated at the medical community at, well, for a lack of better words, failing me.) Thank you for coming to my Ted Talk 😌

-Jamie (Joe/Noah)

[spacejammie-eimmajecaps]

Guided meditation (for people with chronic pain) should go like this:

Send your awareness away from your body. You're not connected to it. You can't sense any part of it. You can't feel your head or face or neck. You can't feel your chest or stomach or arms or hands. You can't feel your hips or legs or feet. You can't feel your mucles. You don't notice your breathing or heartbeat. You feel nothing. You're not in your body. You're somewhere else, far away, piloting it remotely. There are no sensations that can reach you.

[secondspookyseason]

I had a long-ass draft going but turns out all I was actually trying to do was ask a question.

Chronically ill witches and pagans (who are comfortable sharing, obvs): how do you use your practice to support yourself while ill? signed, a pagan and witch who is following medical advice but needs something else right now

[andmyvape]

It just became abundantly clear to me that I do NOT belly breathe

Anyone got any stretches for the diaghram that aren't just the trick with me laying down with my hands on my ribcage and belly? I see the purpose of that trick but I think I need something for before that step. Like something to get the process of engaging the muscle to stretch and contract besides of its own volition because I don't have the control I need right now

[annasellheim]

The mental and physical reasons I hate meditation

[dyslexicdreameroriginal]

Sometimes with chronic pain and illness and with the way the medical and insurence worlds work in the US a person has to become creative. We call the things we do to stay sane and get what we need LIFE HACKS. Yet, these hacks can be as dangerous as our diseases. For me, I’ve found over the years that when sleep won’t come for days or weeks at a time and meds won’t be prescribed or approved or can’t be afforded that sugar, gluten, Mucinex Night Shift, or a combination can help knock me out IF I get them right. If I don’t get them right I end up fatigued over fatigued and in whole body agony. See the sugar and gluten they hurt my body, but because of my intolerance for gluten and my diabetes if I eat an excess of either product they can lead to sleep (yes, stupid and dangerous, but usually effective for an hour or two of sleep). Mucinex Night Shift is the only night time product I’ve found that works to help me sleep and doesn’t leave me with a headache or other issues later, but it’s expensive and just like the sugar and gluten does not always work, but when it does it can give 4-5 hours of sleep if my pain is not at a max. These LIFE HACKS are the things the pain community whispers about. They are what you learn in in person conversations with others because nearly no one posts. Posts are evidence. Post lead to people looking at YOU differently and JUDGING YOU instead of judging THE SYSTEMS that lead to these hacks and decisions.

I don’t deaden my world or help myself by using illegal drugs or alcohol. I might have had I not seen issues with those young and held to my abstinence of such products. I can say I understand better some of the reasons my aunt Peggy got lost in drink for so long. Anything to deaden the pain and sleep. Top that with the disease of addiction and coming out of it like she did towards the end of her life is a feat not many would have achieved.

Here’s your little insight that’s not written about. Do with it what you will.

NOTE: This is after the exercise, calming teas, warm/hot showers or baths, heating pads and blankets, epsom salts, SalonPas, regular medications, meditations, readings, and all else used to try to calm the pain and let the sleep take over.

[universe-npc-5000]

A stormy brain And rainy thoughts Creates a fog That never stops

I kept drinking The thinking Til I was hungover On over-thinking

The teacher handed The scizzors to me And said Cut yourself free

Bare-breasted No thoughts to wear No strings tying me To frightening things

Now I'm a stranger Inside my own skin But my body, my soul Is sobering.

[this-smile-is-real]

Speaking out hope rather than choosing to sit with anxiety. I’ve cried it out a little and spoke with a nurse I trust, have a coffee and feel a little brighter. I’m putting this here to hopefully connect to and gain wisdom from friends and family but most especially those with FND.

Yesterday I had three non-epileptic seizures.

One in the morning, and two in the afternoon.

Last night’s sleep was fractured with excruciating pain in my legs as a result of the afternoon and restlessness.

This morning I felt anxious and so much felt like I needed energy to shift in a positive direction.

Three in a day has never happened before, took me completely by surprise and scared me.

But I WILL NOT live in fear because of this neurological condition. I will CHOOSE to continually reset my focus on gratitude, openness, listening to my body’s needs and expectancy with hope for continued days of joy, faith, safety and peace.

One reason I felt anxious is because I was reminded so sharply of my lack of control of a heck a lot of these symptoms.

BUT I do have control of honesty rather than shutting down, release rather than holding on, and faith rather than fear.

I do live with Functional Neurological Disorder but I also live with so much beauty to seek out around and within me every single day.

Reminders of choosing what I can control inwardly rather than outwardly day after day, moment after moment. I’m speaking LIFE 🫶🏻

[calmmyfears]

When you lived with chronic pain and fatigue for over 11 years like me, you've got almost every well-intentioned, unsolicited advice there is. And yet people still know to surprise me... the famous "have you tried yoga yet?" has now become "have you tried infrared therapy?" you should really give it a try, I hear it does wonders!" Uhm thanks but no thanks.

[tinkerotr]

serious question

what’s up with men slapping each other’s chests to like encourage or backs when hugging?? Does the added pressure from the smack add some kind of executional supportive power that banishes any ounce of imposter syndrome? Is this similar to the self-titty-grab for soothing but male version?

because if so I think that’s kinda cute. yes, soothe one another into being in this world <3 and also hi don’t forget people who identify as anything other than a man :) we could use that extra support you got there

[compassionmattersmost]

Exploring Pristine Mind Meditation for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Path to Effortless Rest

“Discover how pristine mind meditation may offer a gentle, restorative state of awareness without the energy costs that often come with post-exertional malaise.” Living with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome means every action, every exertion, has a cost. For many, even a few minutes of focus or effort can lead to post-exertional malaise—a profound worsening of symptoms that can last for days. But what…