TAG RECOVERY WALKING
I will begin by recaping on previous blogs, in which we were looking at the notion of the pandemic as causing continuing trauma stress, which need not end in Post traumatic stress disorder, but could be managed by learning and practising methods of walking in recovery.It is , of course, true that some of those most severely affected will be at risk of having post traumatic stress disorder, but let’s continue with the possibility of ‘living in recovery.’
Imagine recovery as a beautiful field newly sewn out and smelling sweet, but also containing harmful, damaging weeds. As a child I loved the smell and beauty of reseeded pastures, and always felt sad when the travelling communities would let their horses out of control nearby and they would trample and destroy the grass making space for weeds.
This picture tells a story of possible recovery for nature does recover, and make space for new things, and little creatures seeking to survive find a niche and make it a home, but when viewed as weeds they may be removed as spoilers.As with all metaphors they contain useful information, but they need to be used by us to apply to our various situations within our unique situation.
Some of the things we may find in the above are space for renewal, freshness, new sights, sounds, smells , and the choruses and cycles of nature to be amazed at. It may be a place of relaxation and spiritual renewal.
As you have been learning the skills of coping with the anxiety brought about by the constantly creeping, seeping, crafty, COVID 19 , and attempting to renew your mind by living within a recovery reflective way consider once again what have you learned about yourself?What is happening with you now? if you feel ready and are in a safe place let’s learn to use and extend your imagination to renew your spirit.
Settle yourself into a comfortable stance, you may be in your chair with your body balanced, and your feet planted firmly on the ground, or alternately you may wish to lie on your couch or some other place. Feel your way into this space, and tell yourself you will stop if you do not feel comfortable by going to your safe place in your mind, a place of your choosing which is like sitting on a warm mummies lap nuzzling into her, just whatever is special and uniquely yours.
Close your eyes and follow through with your breathing excercises beginning by breathing in through your nose and out through your mouth, and then following your breath throughout your body breathing into areas of pain and distress. When you are relaxed begin to imagine you are in a beautiful field something like we above , you are totally relaxed and can hear the sounds, and smell the smell of nature all around you you smell aromas which you never really paid attention to before, absorb them and be amazed by them. As the quietness supports you become aware of someone beside you reaching out for your hand, you take it, and begin to walk alongside each other and you climb the hill which ascends upward above your beautiful field, you notice there is a lovely glistening lake below you are amazed and then move on, and the one who took your hand continues with you. At the top of the hill there is a seat and you sit down to rest.
Soon you open your eyes and gaze around, the other is not holding your hand, but the feeling is still there slowly you realise you have touched the depths of yourself and learn you have the potential to care for yourself through body, mind and spirit, and you can access this at any time, it is within you! It is a gift from God when he made you.
GO ON ACCESS YOUR POTENTIAL, BREATH, WALK RUN, SMELL BE AMAZED OR EVEN ASTOUNDED!
DO NOT ENGAGE IN THESE EXERCISES IF YOU ARE IN THE CARE OF A MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL!
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aoibheann thoughtful reflections 