neckpain

I can get caught in that awful loop of beating myself up, only seeing my flaws, only recognizing things I haven’t done instead of giving myself credit for things I have done, getting stuck in self judgment, only seeming to hear my inner critic’s voice, I can lose all my self confidence, let my self esteem dip and things can look pretty bleak.

Over time more and more I have been able to catch this in the moment, pause, breathe, re-set, and then be gentle with myself and allow myself to shift my energy. I can then take first steps towards better self care…and reverse that repetitive loop, replace it with self respect and start to believe in myself! One situation at a time, I’m getting better … and every time I succeed it can get a little easier the next time. I can see that I have grown along my path and although it can be very hard for me to accept, there is unique beauty to the journey I have been on. I am not broken - I am strong - I have been accepting my flaws and see that as I have picked myself up over and over I have filled myself with gold!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I find doing a gratitude list can help. A while back it was recommended I process a gratitude list every morning. I like to think of my blessings: roof over my head and food on the table; a car that runs and being able to afford insurance & gas for it; MY HEALTH…here I go through all my 5 senses thankful they all work, touch and feel my legs that didn’t at one point and give thanks that parts of me are healing but by bit ! I give thanks for my whole support network: great doctors & health providers, my friends, and my family!!! I find after doing this I start off the day feeling much better about myself!

What is on your gratitude list?

#MentalHealth #Depression #Anxiety #SocialAnxiety #Disability #ChronicPain #ChronicIllness #Selflove #Selfcare #BipolarDisorder #BipolarDepression #COVID19 #Parkinsonism #Concussion #BrainInjury #Migraine #Headache #BackPain #neckpain #PhysicalTherapy #HIVAIDS #PTSD #Stigma #PeripheralNeuropathy #Addiction #AddictionRecovery #IfYouFeelHopeless #Hope #CheckInWithMe #InsideTheMighty #MightyTogether #DistractMe

Being passionate about sports is a trait my Dad passed on and instilled in me from an early age, and watching and talking about them together was a very bonding experience we had that built over the years. When I was young I was very blessed and had the opportunity to attend a lot of games with him live: football & basketball, some baseball & hockey games, and we even went to Indianapolis for the Indy 500 races twice. His father had taken him to the big race a few times too and to many other games when he was a child, which I think had the same impact on him!

I was never a good athlete, but under his tutelage I became very interested in drama and intrigue with sports and began to understand, appreciate and enjoy all the nuances of the games: teams - their players & coaches, stats, and strengths & weaknesses; types of plays; strategies; the history of the sports; … and I adapted Dad’s favorite teams & players and we followed them very passionately, intently and took the games very seriously. To this day I can get depressed after a game my team loses, and as a kid I’d pout and be in a really bad mood, often for days.

We watched games and followed our teams, not just the games, but almost every day, as we even fought for who got the Sports page first! His excitement, curiosity and dedication were contagious.

As I got older and I moved away to other places I made the “pilgrimage” up to two hours every Sunday to watch football with Dad & on Memorial Weekend went to watch the Indy 500 with him almost every year. We didn’t even miss a minute of games, with Mom being part host, part cook & part waitress … bringing us big homemade deli sandwiches, her legendary guacamole, and yummy desserts she baked. Then during commercials sometimes we would both sprint to different bathrooms for a break, rushing so as not to miss a second of the games!

However, I recently realized I have actually tried to avoid watching big games there since he passed away. I just admitted to myself that over 3 years after he died it still can be emotional watching games in the room where we watched events together. It can be a sad & empty feeling🥲 The first games I watched without him there soon after he died were some of the few things that triggered me to cry when I wasn't processing things well yet. When I sat there in my familiar chair and our team scored I would turn to high five him and saw the empty chair he always sat on next to me and suddenly deeply felt his absence… It was one of the first ways I truly realized he wouldn’t be there to share experiences with me (physically) anymore. It hit me hard. The first time I watched a game without him I completely broke down in tears which was the strongest emotion I had experienced since he died to that point.

I realized that sharing sports with him was so much more than the games, it was something we shared together in almost a ritual format for decades, and looking back I remember how much I always looked forward to being with him for each coming game. So I still am deeply invested and tuned into sporting events and that focus can help me to take a break from pain, depression, anxiety, fear & worry. It’s all I think about for that 2 ½-3 hours, sometimes longer.

🏀🏈⚾️⚽️🏒⚽️⚾️🏈🏀

Do any of you take comfort, find refuge, a healthy escape and/or a distraction in watching sports? Or are there other things you enjoy watching like binging episodes of your favorite show? Or watching a movie trilogy over and over? Or watching thrillers that keep you on the edge of your seat, or action or drama movies that take your complete focus like tunnel vision? Or do you enjoy watching nature, animal or history channels? Was sharing them with family a part of your childhood?

What engrosses & entertains you the most? How do these affect your energy and emotions when you watch them? Do you find it a much needed window away from thinking about your health challenges like I do?

#MentalHealth #Depression #Anxiety #SocialAnxiety #LossOfAParent #Grief #Disability #ChronicPain #ChronicIllness #Selfcare #BipolarDisorder #COVID19 #Migraine #Headache #HIVAIDS #PTSD #Stigma #BrainInjury #Concussion #BackPain #neckpain #Addiction #AddictionRecovery #IfYouFeelHopeless #Hope #CheckInWithMe #InsideTheMighty #MightyTogether #DistractMe

@texassonrisa
@sparklywartanks

We are growing fast …just passed 2,200 members a few months ago and are at 2,222 today and growing strong! (If you are not a member yet please consider joining us!) This is really exciting to me, we have all put in the effort and as a community we have grown, flourished and have built a sacred place where I hope you all feel at home! You have shown you care for each other, are there for each other and trust each other. This makes me very happy and proud. I envisioned the group would be a place where members would empathize with each other, ask for support, and offer support to others. When we are operating smoothly this experience is so exciting to watch spread & expand.

However, to be honest, I have been very frustrated that there is less activity recently and as our membership grows steadily the number of comments & replies has actually diminished. Our old co-leader Chris is no longer with the group and we need to have others step up and make up for her commitment to regularly respond to posts and comments. This means a collective effort from everyone in the group! I have had numerous layers of serious physical & mental health challenges recently and have had to step back and focus on self-care. This is a time when you can all help me by checking in here and see if there are new posts and hopefully respond.

My last post about hobbies with the image of all the colorful people doing different fun things only got ONE response. And Laura made a great post about disability after that and it got only two responses. When new members have the courage to open up and introduce themselves we want them to feel welcome and supported. Please especially respond if you share some similar health challenges and hopefully offer acknowledgement and encouragement!

This is OUR group everybody and it functions best when members support other members. We all have our varied health histories and with them the knowledge and wisdom we’ve garnered along the way! PLEASE let’s share these with each other. This communal empathy and understanding makes us strong.

Offering your own posts provides more content for the group and can generate great conversations. Write about if you are struggling and need support, encouragement and/or information. Write about how great things are going and share things that are helping you. Pose a question to the group which can excite others to chip in. Or just share a great meme you have found. It can be really powerful for others to see your post as they can then empathize and relate! I would be happy to support your effort if you want to run things by me before you post, I can help finding memes or images if you like, and I will comment on your posts to get the responses going to best support your efforts. I’m here for you and really enjoy the whole process, so please reach out to me if you need assistance or encouragement. I have made well over 100 posts since I started the group and learned a lot along the way! (Please scroll down back in time to find my other posts, you might find some of them helpful😉)

I believe in the power we have as a group and the community we have built. I am so thankful you have joined us and we are all on this journey together!

In service,

Moshe Adler
@moshe222mhc
🙏💥🫶💜🤗💥🙏

P.S. ✡️Happy Rosh Hashanah✡️ -The Jewish New Year. May today mark a time of new beginnings for us all.🌦️⛅️🌤️☀️

#MentalHealth #Depression #Anxiety #Disability #ChronicPain #ChronicIllness #Selflove #Selfcare #BipolarDisorder #Bipolar1 #Bipolar2 #BipolarDepression #ADHD #PTSD #ObsessiveCompulsiveDisorder #COVID19 #Migraine #Headache #RareDisease #HIVAIDS #PeripheralNeuropathy #BackPain #neckpain #Addiction #AddictionRecovery #IfYouFeelHopeless #Hope #CheckInWithMe #InsideTheMighty #MightyTogether #DistractMe #TheMighty #MightyMinute #MightyQuestions #Concussion #BrainInjury

@laurascardigno @texassonrisa @xokat @sparklywartanks

We are currently looking for a new Co-Leader for the Multiple Health Challenges group. We are growning fast and just passed 2,200 members. This is really exciting to me, however to be honest, I have been very frustrated that there is less activity recently and as our membership grows steadily the number of comments & replies has actually diminished. Our old co-leader Chris is no longer with the group and we need to have others step up and make up for her commitment to regularly respond to posts and comments. This means a collective effort from everyone in the group! I have had numerous layers of serious physical & mental health challenges recently and not been as active as I would like in order to step back and focus on self-care. This is a time having another co-leader to pick up the slack is essential!

My last post about hobbies was actually first posted 16 months ago (when we had at least 1,000 less members) and it got over 200 ❤️ & 👍and 100 comments then! It got only ONE this time. And Laura made a great post about disability after that and it got only two responses as well. When new members open up and post to introduce themselves and then get very little response that is even worse. I fear that new members will see this and not be active moving forward. This is OUR group everybody and it functions best when members support other members. We all have our varied health histories and with them the knowledge and wisdom we’ve garnered along the way! PLEASE let’s share these with each other. Without this empathy and understanding this group is falling short of what I first envisioned when I started the group and what it’s capable of.

For a co-leader I am looking for someone to welcome new members, comment or respond to posts and other comments & replies, and make new posts to the group. It is important for the group to have distinctly different voices to support people because people might relate more to either of us. What is a really good situation is if we both respond to the same posts, welcome new members from different perspectives and provide voices for people that are accessible and relatable. There is a commitment needed that you monitor activities on the group regularly and can respond pretty quickly.

Offering your own posts provides more content for the group. I can assist and support by offering to look at your new posts for feedback and editing before you post if you would like, will comment on your posts to get the responses going to best support your efforts, and I can help finding memes or images.

I look at potential leaders' history of posts and/or comments that have helped and supported others in the past. Willingness to be honest and open about your own health challenges is crucial to best support people.

You will get access to the Community Leaders group and your name will have a “Group Leader” tab next to it up top on your comments and responses so I think people pay attention especially to your activity and wisdom shared from your personal experience. Would you consider joining me on this journey? Let’s have a DM chat to discuss this! Thanks for considering taking on this role!

In service,
Moshe
@moshemhc

#Depression #Anxiety #MentalHealth #ChronicPain #ChronicIllness #Chronicpainwarrior #Disability #BipolarDisorder #BipolarDepression #BipolarIIDisorder #Bipolar1Disorder
#ObsessiveCompulsiveDisorder #ADHD #Schizophrenia #AspergersSyndrome #Autism #Dementia #Concussion #Addiction #AddictionRecovery #Cancers #TraumaticBrainInjury #BrainInjury #LossOfAParent #Grief #Suicide #ChronicFatigueSyndrome #DistractMe #HIVAIDS #MightyQuestions #DownSyndrome #IfYouFeelHopeless #Hope #Deafness #neckpain #BackPain #CongestiveHeartFailure #Migraine #COVID19 #PeripheralNeuropathy #LymeDisease #Diabetes #EatingDisorder #Headache #Stroke #Cancer #BorderlinePersonalityDisorder #Fibromyalgia #Disability #thankful #grateful #CocaineDependence #drugaddiction #Alcoholism #PTSD #EmotionalHealth #physicalhealth #PainAcceptance #Acceptance #relief #Selflove #Selfcare #MentalHealthHero #TheMighty #RareDisease #MightyTogether #RareDisease

Typically when people think of self-care, they think of: getting enough sleep, exercising, eating well, taking a nap, meditating, taking a bath or shower, or even going to a spa. But what if a rock concert is more your speed? Or Rockclimbing? Bowling? Backpacking? Fishing? Gardening? Deep cleaning? We are each our own person. What works for you may not work for others, or vice versa. There is no “right” answer as to what hobbies can and do improve our mental health. By sharing what helps you, hopefully other members will be inspired to explore those or other new activities!

I like listening to or making music on my drum. Recently I’ve found listening to podcasts can be very enthralling…entertaining and even educating! At the beginning of Covid Stay at Home I got some Legos and making things with them was fun and a great distraction…so it was a new creative hobby …and using colored pencils filling in mandalas and tattoo flash in adult coloring books (yes, they have these! They can be quite intricate and challenging …or simple) These were surprisingly therapuetc and calming! I love taking the time to create something, finish it, step back, and see the end result of my efforts. It can make me feel really good…proud, accomplished and empowered!

What have you found works for you?

Here’s a quick check-in for if you’re feeling self-conscious about your preferences…

Q: Does [insert hobby here] help you when you’re down?
A: Yes!

Conclusion: Then you’re doing it right, my friends! I am so glad you have found things that help you. Keep exploring to find new hobbies to expand your possibilities and new ways that you can turn to when you’re down or need a boost!

Please share those hobbies activities below — let’s see who has similar ones, or maybe ideas people haven’t thought about but will help them too!

#MentalHealth #Depression #Anxiety #Disability #ChronicPain #ChronicIllness #Selflove #Selfcare #BipolarDisorder #Bipolar1 #Bipolar2 #BipolarDepression #ADHD #ObsessiveCompulsiveDisorder #COVID19 #Migraine #Headache #RareDisease #HIVAIDS #PeripheralNeuropathy #BackPain #neckpain #Addiction #AddictionRecovery #IfYouFeelHopeless #Hope #CheckInWithMe #InsideTheMighty #MightyTogether #DistractMe #mighty #MightyMinute #MightyQuestions #BrainInjury #Concussion #BrainFog #MemoryLoss

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Being courageous and taking acts of faith requires self love. From self love we can do more self care. Then we can look for the moments when we have felt braver, stronger or smarter….and can start letting ourselves dig deep and find our inner strength that we all have. Without it we may not still be here today. Even when I’ve been physically weak and felt like I couldn’t do any more, contribute more, or just show up…l’ve learned to dig into the power I was born with. Over the years I’ve found myself losing my ability to do things I used to do (a lot) I have found that I have the power to dig deep and push through and have realized that I’m a warrior and I wouldn’t have survived all these years if I hadn’t tapped into my emotional strength and fought for my life, fought to overcome fear, worry, sadness, depression, lack of confidence and fought to try to ignore others judgements and negative thoughts. (Many of which are just my projections.)

I have the blessings of a support network of family, friends and amazing health care providers which has truly helped me survive. Over time I learned to accept their support, often only when I got the courage to ask for help. But my best support is what I have found deep inside me that I never knew (or believed) I had. I have learned to trust myself and just take one new day at a time, one challenge at a time, and fight through one type of pain at a time. Its a work in progress. Some days can be much harder than others, but I will keep moving forward on my journey of building self love..

YOU ARE ALL WARRIORS TOO! You have taken the risk to join The Mighty, and to join groups to find connections…to learn from others and then in the process have made the intention to better yourself as a person and found here that you are not alone. You may take medications, although often begrudgingly; you may go to doctors appointments, even if it takes all you have to get there; you may go to therapy, at first not knowing what to say… all in hopes of overcoming challenges, feeling better, and getting stronger. You have survived so much because you all have inner strength, courage and smarts you were not only born with, but you have built on and strengthened these powers from what you’ve learned along your paths of survival! So be courageous, be strong, be smart, and you will continue to survive and thrive and take leaps of faith!

#MentalHealth #Depression #Anxiety #Disability #ChronicPain #ChronicIllness #Selflove #Selfcare #BipolarDisorder #Bipolar1 #Bipolar2 #BipolarDepression
#ADHD #ObsessiveCompulsiveDisorder #COVID19 #Migraine #Headache #HIVAIDS #PeripheralNeuropathy #BackPain #neckpain #Addiction #AddictionRecovery #IfYouFeelHopeless #Hope #CheckInWithMe #MightyTogether #DistractMe

It’s not all about survival, there is a lot of living to do along the way. Although at times I feel like I am just treating one ailment after another, all day every day (which is true right now) I’ve decided why take all the time and energy it takes to survive everything unless I don’t enjoy how the time given to me by surviving is ripe for good times too.

Recently I have mostly been homebound except to go to health appointments… doctors, PT & OT, clinics, therapy etc. and then only with a walker and the benefit of handicapped parking spots. But I try to continue to celebrate the gifts I have in life, be thankful for the blessings I have that make life just a little more bearable and remind myself of what I’ve been through, how I’ve survived and what I’ve learned from these experiences. If I consider all this, then I must be a very wise man 😉 I may have dropped out of college but I have a Masters degree from the School of Hard Knocks … the diploma is not needed, I know I have accomplished it and need no reminder…I’m still alive after all!

Tough times have given me the chance to tap into my inner strength and I’ve also grown along the way. I don’t have to wait to celebrate the good times when I am experiencing some right now despite what I’m going through!

Thank you all for the love, support, thoughts and prayers, I certainly couldn’t have done this alone!

#Depression #Anxiety #MentalHealth #ChronicPain #ChronicIllness #Chronicpainwarrior #Disability #BipolarDisorder #BipolarDepression #Bipolar2Disorder #Bipolar1Disorder #Stigma #ObsessiveCompulsiveDisorder #RareDisease #AspergersSyndrome #ADHD #Autism #Dementia #Addiction #AddictionRecovery #Cancer #TraumaticBrainInjury #BrainInjury #LossOfAParent #Grief #SuicideSurvivors #ChronicFatigue #DistractMe #HIVAIDS #longtermsurvivor #ChronicIllness #ChronicPain #MightyQuestions #DownSyndrome #IfYouFeelHopeless #Hope #Deafness #neckpain #BackPain #CongestiveHeartFailure #Migraine #COVID19 #PeripheralNeuropathy #LymeDisease #Diabetes #EatingDisorders #Headache #Stroke #help #BorderlinePersonalityDisorder #Fibromyalgia #thankful #grateful #EatingDisorders #CocaineDependence #drugaddict #PTSD #EmotionalHealth #physicalhealth #PainAcceptance #Acceptance #relief #Happiness #Selflove #Selfcare #MightyMinute #MentalHealthHero
#TheMighty #InsideTheMighty #MightyTogether #DistractMe

In bad pain from something called Levator Scapulae syndrome. It’s causing pain in my shoulder and neck and radiating to my head causing headache 🤕 and fatigue. I’m in a lot of pain and feeling frustrated, because I’ve been seeing a chiropractor 👩‍⚕️ for years and still experiencing problems. Even though she’s fixed my severe atlas (C1) misalignment, I still have problems in the other vertebrae which also connect to and cause pain in the surrounding ligaments and tendons 😫my shoulder blade also snaps/grinds when I move it. Don’t know what to do. Anyone experienced this type of pain and has anything helped?
#ChronicHeadaches #neckpain #shoulderpain #chiropractic

We are currently looking for a new Co-Leader for the Multiple Health Challenges group. We have grown quite a bit and just passed 1,500 members. In the past co-leaders have been golden, really helpful for me when I got sick or burnt out and had to step away for a few days. I am looking for someone to welcome new members, comment or respond to most posts or other comments, make new posts to the group every once and a while, and preferably someone who has physical and emotional health challenges so they can best relate to and understand where other members are coming from when they post or comment.

It is important for the group to have two distinctly different voices to support people because people might relate more to one of us. What is a really good situation is if we both respond to the same posts, welcome new members from different perspectives and provide voices for people that are accessible and relatable. There is a commitment needed that you monitor activities on the group regularly and can respond pretty quickly.

Offering your own posts provides more content for the group…and when posts pose a question they keep things moving forward. I can assist and support by offering to look at your new posts for feedback and editing before you post if you would like it, comment on your posts to get the responses going to best support your efforts, help finding memes or images, and support you if we are dealing with someone struggling …. Like sounding suicidal or being manic…and I will check in to make sure you are happy and comfortable!

I look at potential leaders' history of posts and/or comments that have helped and supported others in the past. Willingness to be honest and open about your own health challenges is crucial to best support people. A co-leader works together with me for some new posts and drafting new questions and is concerned about the well being of all members and can empathize with their paths.

You will get access to the Community Leaders group and your name will have a “Group Leader” tab next to it up top on your comments and responses so I think people pay attention especially to your activity and wisdom shared from personal experience. Would you consider joining me on this journey? Let’s have a DM chat to discuss this! Thanks for considering taking on this role!

#Depression #Anxiety #MentalHealth #ChronicPain #Chronicpainwarrior #Disability #BipolarDisorder #BipolarDepression #Bipolar2Disorder #Bipolar1Disorder
#Stigma #ObsessiveCompulsiveDisorder #ADHD #Autism #Dementia #Addiction #AddictionRecovery #Cancer #TraumaticBrainInjury #BrainInjury #LossOfAParent #Grief #SuicideSurvivors #ChronicFatigueSyndrome #DistractMe #HIVAIDS #longtermsurvivor #ChronicIllness #ChronicPain #MightyQuestions #DownSyndrome #IfYouFeelHopeless #Hope #Deafness #neckpain #BackPain #CongestiveHeartFailure #Migraine #COVID19 #PeripheralNeuropathy #LymeDisease #Diabetes #EatingDisorders #Headache #Stroke #help #BorderlinePersonalityDisorder #Fibromyalgia #Disability #thankful #grateful #EatingDisorders #CocaineDependence #drugaddict #alcoholic #PTSD #EmotionalHealth #physicalhealth PainAcceptance #Acceptance #relief #Selflove #MightyMinute #MentalHealthHero #TheMighty #RareDisease #MightyTogether

.

Hi Friends,

What a year it's been, my stepsons father passed unexpectedly and so we've been dealing with that, it hasn't been long since my own father died, so it's been weird. A dear friend (like a mom to me) is also not doing well. Art has been my saving grace through everything going on lately, and I'm lucky to have a few commissions at the moment to keep my brain busy. Before painting, when i was trapped in bed, i used to meditate a lot. What are some ways that you use to combat stress? I sure could use any advice! (my latest painting below) #Stress #Anxiety #Art #ArtTherapy #spinalcordstimulator #BackPain #SpinalStenosis #neckpain #ChronicMigraines #PsoriaticArthritis #Depression