Congratulations all that are getting GCS, FFS and other surgeries.
I think exercise that causes heavy breathing helps heaps.
I started morning PT post op. I was on a SSRI (high dose) and was still having issues. I started doing squats, walking steps (21 stories) and doing 100 push ups at 0500 hrs. I also joined a gym and did spinning and lifting. Post covid I am now back to 100 squats and walking up 9 stories. Next week my plan is to increase the stories to 15 stories. Stamina is an issue with me post covid.
The gym just reopened this month due to Philly restrictions being lifted. I want to rejoin in February.
I think the endorphins released from high intensity exercise has huge impacts on the mind and body throughout a day. I was able to get off the SSRI by walking steps, pushups and squats and spinning and lifting. Also, I confronted my greatest fears. Being naked in crowds and asking for people to play. I did that at the hall and I do that at parties. The parties have a few woman and a lot of men. So asking to play at parties is about sex.
I will be going to another venue Saturday. Again challenging my norm.
I looked at my fears and did what I was afraid of doing. When I started doing steps I walked up 9 flights and had severe induced asthma. I slowed my pace greatly and built up my lung capacity. I did not stop because of the extreme discomfort and fear of not being able to breath. I really think my depression was about doing what others wanted me to do and not doing what I wanted to do. Also, to challenge how I do things. Stop doing what is done mindlessly. Initiate new challenges and thought.
Funny, I incorporated what I learned about brain resiliency and rewiring new brain pathways into my work management style. Incredible results have happened. Yup, holding back and living your life as others want you to be caused me pain and it morphed into depression. Maybe it affected my staff too.
When I was 5 I started team swimming. I swam all year long and was on three teams ( I was mortified not having any bulge in a speedo). Saturdays were swim meets and a huge amount of competition. I hated team swimming. I hated swim meets. I hated speedo swim gear. Yet, I had to do it until one day I just could not do it. I stopped. I walked off the line, got dressed and went home. The world did not stop. I was made to feel like such a looser for stopping. I was 15.
I think a lot of what I did in life was what others wanted me to do. When I started changing my stress escalated. My coping mechanisms were overwhelmed. Yet I persevered; I think I just could not go on doing their routine. I learned I can do what I want to do. I can act out on my fantasizes. The world will not stop and no one really cares. I learned new brain pathways and reward systems. Depression was not part of the plan.
I will be starting the Wim Hof breathing techniques to increase endorphin release and respiratory capacity. Presently when I do 9 stories I am tapped out. Also, I need to exercise my respiratory system and get back to completing my morning steps. Perhaps being sick has presented me with a new opportunity to learn something new or challenge how and what I am doing presently.
Perhaps GCS, FFS, hair transplants and BA were all pivot points and the change and feelings were all new. Not all of the old was not good but it all changed. Perhaps the depression from lack of action and then actions that removed the bad with the good in my old life. I have passed through hell and I kept on going.
Three in the office had Covid in a cluster. I returned in 10 days, one returned in a month (still is having issues and works partial weeks and days) and the other is still out (6 weeks). Life is for the living. Every day is precious.
Rachel