Short on Patience!!

Why have I been feeling snappy, irritable, impatient? I haven't been sleeping. Every person deals with the occasional interruption of slumber. But when we can't sleep, we get moody.

That's one of the things insomnia does to us. Here's some good read about other things insomnia does to us, with both why stress interrupts sleep, and how to stop it: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/09/17/stress-and-sleep_n_5824506.html

How My Mindset Alters My Pain Perception?

Came across a very cool article about how people approach pain. Apparently, they way we think about pain determines how much pain we actually experience.

A quote from the article, "Throughout the ages, athletes, soldiers in combat, and prisoners of war have intuitively learned how to use cognitive methods like imagery and distraction to alter perceptions of certain types of pain. Anyone who has read or seen Unbroken knows that Louis Zamperini was a master of the cognitive self-regulation of pain."

It's a bit of a dense read, but does a great job of explaining how our mind has such power in reducing our experience of pain.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-athletes-way/201501/neuroscientists-identify-how-mindset-alters-pain-perceptions

I am bipolar, and have been managing my condition through medication and therapy. I have recently started some natural therapies in addition, with notable success. Here are some things I have added to my regimen:

1. Vitamin D
2. Omega-3 Fatty Acids
3. Meditation...
4. Light Therapy

There is a lot of info available, but be careful. Not all natural therapies are safe. Talk with your doctor about drug interactions. We would all do well to appreciate not just the importance of addressing physical pain, but psychological pain as well.

A great article with more info:
http://www.everydayhealth.com/bipolar-disorder/alternative-treatments-for-bipolar-disorder.aspx

Ash
 

I saw a commercial today for a new nasal spray. It doesn't clear sinuses or address allergies. It is for accidental overdose from opioids, or painkillers.

There are a lot of ways to treat pain, both natural and pharmaceutical. The same industry who creates these deadly pills has now come up with a new product to stop these very deaths. That's a smart business strategy for those who care about profit instead of people.

3 Interesting Facts About Opioids:

1. Drug Overdose is the Leading Cause of Accidental Death in the US

2. Opioid Addiction is Driving this Epidemic

3. More People Die of Prescription Pain Relievers than from Heroin

Here's more info if you're interested:

http://www.asam.org/docs/default-source/advocacy/opioid-addiction-disease-facts-figures.pdf