Scrapbook Rehab » Tips and Resources

Be Omega-3

October 11, 2012

Ashley here, passing on some Jenna based advice, and how it worked for me. We’re not doctors, and we certainly don’t claim to know all the answers, but we like to share what works for us. I’ve been taking Omega-3 rich vitamins for months (thanks to Jenna!) I recently switched from fish oil to flax seed. Taking the flax seed has really made all the difference in balancing my mood, and just feeling better all around.

There are so many rumored health benefits to diets rich in fiber and omega-3’s from everything to fighting cholesterol to fighting the blues and panic attacks. You can look up the science and decide for yourself, but I’m telling you that I’ve been taking it and notice a big difference! Even the idea that I’m doing something good for my body with a non-chemical basis makes me happy.
Here in California we seem to like natural routes to healthy living much more than many other places. The truth is we all look different and different lifestyles work for different people. I don’t expect you all to go run out and get some flax seed (although it is amazing), but I wanted to share that thinking outside the box in your diet can sometimes be the best solution for well-being. When we focus on the positive aspects of being healthy, it helps us all over, body and soul.

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Filed under: Latest, Tips and Resources by Jenna Edwards

HANDLING PANIC

May 22, 2012

This is my favorite tip for handling panic attacks. When I was in the hospital for my PTSD, I was having such bad panic attacks that I would pass out. I was lucky that one day one of the nurses that was filling in that day was from the surgery unit of the hospital. Apparently a lot of people have panic attacks before surgery. Here’s what she taught me.

Step 1.

When you feel panic start to come on (this is going to sound gross) grab a really carbonated soda like root beer. Drink it so that you have to burp. Burp as much as you can. Burping releases the gas that is causing the pressure you are feeling from the panic. Sounds strange, I know, but it really works.

Step 2.

Grab an ice pack and lie down with the ice on your neck. Apparently the glands right below your jawline are the ones that produce the chemical that cause the panic. Freezing them stops the chemical from being produced. Sit there for about 10 minutes with the ice on your neck (make sure it’s touching the part of your neck just below your molars. I think the sitting for 10 minutes has something to do with it too because then you need to just calm down, but it’s been my experience that the icky feeling from the panic goes away a lot faster with this technique.

I am NOT a doctor, this is just a trick I learned while I was in the hospital. It works really well for me and I consider it a lifesaver. If you are having a lot of panic attacks, please seek out help. There is no shame and, for me anyway, getting the help I needed has made the panic attacks go away completely. I also think just having this technique helped me tremendously because my panic came from a severe feeling of helplessness. This technique gave me hope and a sense of security because I had something to do when the panic set in.

If you are suffering from anxiety and panic, here is one resource I found.

http://www.adaa.org/netforum/findatherapist#top

There are several if you do a google search and I have not personally used this site, but it has a database of therapist who specialize in anxiety and panic disorders.

Please seek out help if you are suffering. There is no reason you can not live a full and happy life. This too shall pass but only if you get the help you need.

Blessings,

Jenna