Sometimes, the Basic Things

Daily I think about the series of events that led me to the point where I now find myself. Daily I ask myself if I could or should have done things differently and 99% of the time I come to the conclusion that I did everything in my power to fight having Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

The thing about PTSD, though is that it loves a good fight and fighting it only seems to make it grow. Since being diagnosed with PTSD five years ago I have found the best way to deal with PTSD is to be patient and kind to myself. This was tough for me at first because every atom of my being was hollering that the answer was to just DO something. FORCE myself to DO something. But the more I forced, the worse my depression and anxiety got.

A few months ago I visited a naturopathic doctor. After explaining my symptoms and medical history she tested my blood for food allergies and levels of nutrients and hormones. Supplements were prescribed and foods eliminated and a little under three months later I feel better than I have in six years.  If I would have had these kind of tests while I was still in the Navy would I have been medically separated?

Here are some things I think contribute to a better quality of life:

• GET TESTED!:
• hormone levels, especially for women
• Vitamin D, especially if you avoid going outside daily
• liver
• Food allergies
• POOP!:
• Poor elimination allows toxins to build up in the body and makes the body feel... like shit.
• Triphala is an herb that has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years to cleanse and tonify the gastro-intestinal tract and does not have harmful side effects of traditional laxatives. I have found the most success taking two teaspoons of Triphala powder in a cup of warm water at night. 
• HYDRATE!!:
• Being dehydrated is serious business. I don't care what anyone says, even being a little dehydrated makes you feel bad. The body is 60% water (I remember it being 75% when I was in school). The body needs water to function. 
• Try to drink 16 glasses (8 FLoz) per day. Standard recommendation call for 8 glasses of water per day, however, I have found that double that amount is needed. If you are overweight you need more water. If you are tired you need more water. If you are constipated you need more water. If you are hungry, you probably need more water!
• NOURISH YOURSELF!
• Charlotte Gerson once said that obesity is a disease of hunger and that a person would stop holding/gaining weight if they gave their bodies nourishing food. I think this principle can be applied to many other things. 
• Feed yourself nourishing food. That means nothing that comes in a package!
• Examine your thought process for poison. Reframe those poison thoughts into thoughts that nourish.
• Get outside in the sunshine (without sunscreen)! Take it easy at first because you do not want to burn. Start with five minutes and build up from there.

Taking control of your life and your PTSD or your depression or even your cancer, heart disease, stubbed toe doesn't have to be crazy making. Listen to your body. It will tell you what it needs!