I am having a great time with the program... I am also noticing that my insomnia is gone, but it's replace by always being tired and about to fall asleep!!! I am also noticing my shoulder that are normally tense, are loosening up, but they are so sore! My neck is killing me! Anyone dealing with this problem too?


Shana

I get a sore neck and shoulder muscles when I have an overabundance of stress. I let them serve as a reminder that I need to let some things go and do some deep breating.

Helen

Helen,

Thanks for the reply! I have noticed that my shoulders don't hurt as much, but I have headaches. It's milder- I am not sure if it's my muscles finally loosening up! Anyway, I am amazed at my ability to communicate now! Where before I would get all angry and upset but hold it in if someone said something rude to me, now I ask them assertively why they are saying such and such. It's very powerful. I think I was holding all that anger in where now I give it back.

Shana, I am a new member, and insomnia is my biggest problem. Sometimes I feel calm and relaxed, but can't fall asleep, or wake up after only a few hours and can't get back to sleep. Other times, I am too tense, even with relaxation breathing and exercises too even fall asleep, then it gets to be 1 or 2 am, and I get more anxiety because I wonder how many nights I can go on only 4 hours sleep and no naps (not tired). How have you conquered insomnia?
AJMOON

This too shall pass

After working the program since October I see the same complaints over and over on this forum. It looks to me like we arrive here and find that all of our syptoms, no matter how small seem to be universal with people who have panic and depression. Once we talk (and write) it out and get a little input our symptoms go away. It is really neat to see.

I am not completely cured since I did the program 1/2 a** when I started to get better. I am on my second time and doing it right. Maybe not as fast as I had hoped but I can see the light at the end of a very long and dark tunnel.

Hoorah!

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Always Hopeful, Betsy H.
Marietta, GA (East Cobb)

Dear Shana

Neck pain is one of my biggest physical symptoms. So I know what you mean. I will tell you that for me, it usually goes hand and hand with some sort of stressful situation. Even though the situation isn't that big of a deal, I sometimes talk myself into being stressed with negative dialog. That is when I notice my neck starts getting sore and stiff. The relaxation tape works really well for me on this. When your neck gets stiff, try it. Also, it helps me a lot to talk to someone about what is stressing me out. Once I get it out in the open it doesn't seem so bad, and my neck usually loosens up.

To Ajmoon

I hope you read this. If you can't sleep, PLEASE DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT. It is so much better to just say to yourself, so I can't sleep. It will come eventually. You have gotten by on little sleep before and you can do it again. If you can't sleep, do something you enjoy instead of wasting your time worrying about it. Worrying doesn't get you to sleep right? So why add more stress to an allready stressful situation. Just get up put on some head phones, listen to some music, or watch TV, do dishes, read, or whatever, but don't worry. It won't do you any good, but doing something you enjoy will. Also, if your not doing this allready, try going to bed at the same time every night, and getting up at the same time everyday, no matter how much sleep you did or didn't get. This will help regulate your body's sleep patern and will eventually get you into a regular cycle. But remember if you can't sleep for the time being, get up and do something else. Just make sure you try to get up at the same time everyday.

Good luck to you both
Mellie

Mellie:

Thanks so much for your suggestions. I will use them, along with the few new ones from the Insomnia section of the forum. I feel that this forum is being very helpful to me especially in this one area. Don't worry--be happy! Right?

AJMOON