http://www.rheumatoidarthritisguy.com/library/ Library Home Forum: Treatments - Body Mind & Spirit - Recent Posts en Thu, 17 May 2012 19:13:48 +0000 http://www.rheumatoidarthritisguy.com/library/topic/aromatherapy#post-312 Sat, 05 Sep 2009 07:38:15 +0000 RA Guy 312@http://www.rheumatoidarthritisguy.com/library/ <p>This past week I went through yet another flare. I am always looking for new ways to help me maintain my balance during these rough times, and what helped me quite a bit during these past few days was aromatherapy sessions at home.</p> <p>I wrote a blog post on this topic, which can be read at <a href="http://www.rheumatoidarthritisguy.com/2009/09/aromatherapy-ra/" rel="nofollow">http://www.rheumatoidarthritisguy.com/2009/09/aromatherapy-ra/</a>. </p> http://www.rheumatoidarthritisguy.com/library/topic/positive-thinking-and-affirmations-1#post-262 Sun, 09 Aug 2009 12:54:38 +0000 RA Guy 262@http://www.rheumatoidarthritisguy.com/library/ <p>Thanks for the suggestions, Jules. I really like your point on surrounding yourself with like-minded people. I think that is important.</p> <p>I continue to learn that the more I focus on what I enjoy doing, the more my "limitations" begin to fade away. Just now I got back from a half hour walk with the dogs in a nearby park. Sure, one hand was using a crutch, but the other hand was holding a leash which fed off onto a splitter - so I was still able to walk two dogs. It's a bright and sunny Sunday afternoon, and the walk was perfect not only for me but for my four-legged friends as well.</p> <p>I've spent a lot of time during the past few months working on changing thought patters. I think the most beneficial thought pattern I have changed has been from "this is never going to end" to "I've gotten through this before and I will get through it again". Our illness is overwhelming enough without the amplification that often takes place in our minds. If my mind is going to be cheering something on, I'd much rather have it cheering for the positive than for the negative. </p> http://www.rheumatoidarthritisguy.com/library/topic/yoga-and-pilates#post-261 Sun, 09 Aug 2009 12:32:44 +0000 Jules 261@http://www.rheumatoidarthritisguy.com/library/ <p>Wonderful article Singlegalra. I wish there was an inexpensive yoga class in my area, but until then- I have my OnDemand which has many different yoga classes and now your tips on modifying! </p> http://www.rheumatoidarthritisguy.com/library/topic/positive-thinking-and-affirmations-1#post-260 Sun, 09 Aug 2009 10:23:25 +0000 Jules 260@http://www.rheumatoidarthritisguy.com/library/ <p>As you know- I am a big advocate of positive thinking and gratitude in both living with RA and with just living. I feel that our attitude is very self-fulfilling. It can be very hard to be positive when you are first diagnosed or in the middle of a brutal flare. I fully realize that. That said I believe that finding a way to be positive really can help you start on the road to "healing". </p> <p>Think about it- the more you dwell on how miserable you feel, the more things you find to be miserable about. I know that I have gone from "I feel awful" to a big case of "I can't" and "I will never again be able to" to "I hate my disease and my life". It's a snowball effect. </p> <p>I have found in my life that the opposite is true as well. Now, when I find myself feeling awful I think "I feel awful" and turn it around to "I feel awful TODAY- but tomorrow will be better." From there I start thinking of all the blessings in my life. I think of all the things I still CAN do. I think of what I have accomplished and what I still will accomplish. Soon- I am feeling better at least mentally if not physically and it puts me into the mindset to do what I can and celebrate what I can (ie- yes, my hips hurt like hades but I can use my arms and read a good book while I am laying here. Or- This is a great reason to indulge in a "do nothing" day- how often do we have that opportunity?) rather than allow it to incapacitate me. My suggestions to get started are:</p> <p>The first step is to surround yourself with like-minded people. Minimize your contact with those who live the "misery loves company" life and find folks who encourage you and live their lives as if the glass is half full. </p> <p>Next- keep a journal or a blog of the things that are good in your life. Writing about them cements them in your mind and you can look back when you find yourself sliding down. </p> <p>Third- Make your resting place a sanctuary. Keep good things by your bedside. A book that inspires you, magazines that focus on feeling good (I keep O Magazine and Real Simple by my bed), flowers for their scent and beauty. Perhaps a little chocolate (Hershey's Bliss is a personal favorite), candles and your ipod filled with soothing music and other things that relax you. Tiger Balm and a pair of soft gloves, heating pads, Thermacare- anything that eases the pain. Even mani-pedi supplies, a cooling face mask, a nice lotion or anything else that you use to pamper yourself. You don't have to apply them yourself- your loved one can do it for you. Make being forced to be there a restful and indulgent experience. </p> <p>Those are a few of the ways that I work to keep it positive. I am always looking for suggestions so I look forward to any input that all of you have! </p> http://www.rheumatoidarthritisguy.com/library/topic/positive-thinking-and-affirmations-1#post-259 Sun, 09 Aug 2009 09:49:28 +0000 RA Guy 259@http://www.rheumatoidarthritisguy.com/library/ <p>synovial sensation, thanks for asking. As long as posts are conversational and informational in nature, I don't see any issue with posting relevant links - as long as they are not abusive or blatant advertising. I think singlegalra's post on the Support Groups info sheet is a good example of how we can provide some cursory information on an issue, followed by a link. </p> http://www.rheumatoidarthritisguy.com/library/topic/positive-thinking-and-affirmations-1#post-256 Sat, 08 Aug 2009 13:44:21 +0000 synovial sensation 256@http://www.rheumatoidarthritisguy.com/library/ <p>RA Guy, is this good use of your library? Could you post any guidelines somewhere within the binder list upfront please? I chewed over doing my post as not sure I could remember what content you were after! </p> http://www.rheumatoidarthritisguy.com/library/topic/positive-thinking-and-affirmations-1#post-255 Sat, 08 Aug 2009 13:42:53 +0000 synovial sensation 255@http://www.rheumatoidarthritisguy.com/library/ <p>I just wrote a post giving examples of how I am turning RA negatives into positives, wherever possible: </p> <p><a href="http://synovialsyntax.wordpress.com/2009/08/08/flipping-hell/" rel="nofollow">http://synovialsyntax.wordpress.com/2009/08/08/flipping-hell/</a> </p> http://www.rheumatoidarthritisguy.com/library/topic/yoga-and-pilates#post-251 Fri, 07 Aug 2009 08:10:15 +0000 RA Guy 251@http://www.rheumatoidarthritisguy.com/library/ <p>My yoga and pilates classes, which I used to practice daily for the past few years, continue to suffer as my RA progresses. I have received recommendations to try a Pilates Reformer class - that this will allow me to perform exercises without a lot of stress on my joints. Has anyone attended a Pilates Reformer class before? What did you think? </p> http://www.rheumatoidarthritisguy.com/library/topic/aromatherapy#post-247 Thu, 06 Aug 2009 08:37:05 +0000 cateepoo 247@http://www.rheumatoidarthritisguy.com/library/ <p>Last summer I worked with a gal that created an essential oil for me based on my energy. It was made up mostly of Frankincense (blood flow and stress) and Joy (well, to bring more joy into my life). </p> http://www.rheumatoidarthritisguy.com/library/topic/aromatherapy#post-243 Wed, 05 Aug 2009 23:12:32 +0000 RA Guy 243@http://www.rheumatoidarthritisguy.com/library/ <p>Two essential oils I use for my rheumatoid arthritis are Ginger and Rosemary (both from Aura Cacia). I have a bottle of Juniper Berry coming my way.</p> <p>I'd love to hear what essential oils anyone else might be using for their rheumatoid arthritis. </p>