Les 1
My Story (Part 1)
This is my story. I started experiencing panic attacks and shortness of breath at work due to anxiety. Initially, I thought it was caused by smog and too much coffee, but it got worse over time. I sought medical attention and was diagnosed with panic attacks, but I continued to work and cope with my anxiety by driving to the beach for fresh air. However, the stress from work and personal relationships eventually became too much, and I realized that if I didn't make a change, I was going to mentally break down.
I made the difficult decision to quit my job, despite resistance from my girlfriend who wanted to start a family and buy a house together. I knew it was the right decision for me, and I began to focus on self-care. I started surfing daily, which I found to be immensely therapeutic, and I began seeing a therapist to organize my thoughts and decisions.
Despite the challenges and uncertainties that lay ahead of me, I knew that I had to prioritize my mental and emotional well-being. I learned that it's crucial to listen to our bodies and minds, and to not ignore the signs that something is not right. It takes courage to make difficult decisions and to prioritize our well-being, but it's essential for our long-term health and happiness.
Les 2
My Story (Part 2)
This is part 2 of my story. Eventually, I decided to travel the world and visited five countries, including Indonesia, Singapore, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Panama. It was the most amazing period of my life, where I experienced unparalleled personal growth, witnessed indescribable beauty, and found enjoyment and bliss like I never had before.
Through therapy and conscious effort, I learned to prioritize self-care and seek out environments that promote mental and emotional well-being. For me, it's the ocean, and I haven't had a panic attack in 8 years since I took the steps to prioritize my well-being.
The key takeaway from my story is that it's crucial to prioritize self-care and to seek out therapeutic environments to promote mental and emotional well-being. It's easy to get caught up in the demands of work and personal relationships, but it's essential to take a step back and listen to our bodies and minds. It takes courage to make difficult decisions, but the rewards of prioritizing our well-being are immeasurable. We owe it to ourselves to live a life of purpose, fulfillment, and joy.
Les 3
The Methods and Mindfulness
Lesson 3 of this online course teaches various methods to manage anxiety and depression. I share a wellness routine which includes five components: mindfulness, play, community, being in nature, and gratitude. The lesson goes on to explain how meditation changed my life by helping me gain awareness of my thoughts and emotions. Meditation allows one to observe their thoughts and emotions instead of being a slave to them.
Mindfulness is defined as focusing one's awareness on the present moment and accepting one's feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations. Mindfulness meditation helps in reducing stress, anxiety, and improving overall mood. It is also a practice of self-awareness and helps in recognizing the subconscious thoughts and emotions that may affect our actions. The lesson ends with a recommendation of Insight Timer, a free tool for mindfulness as well as various other types of meditation, and a suggestion of meditating for at least 20 minutes each morning.
Les 4
Play
In Lesson 4 of this course, we will explore the importance of play and how it can positively impact our mental and emotional wellbeing. I share my personal story of finding play after many challenging experiences in my life. Play is defined as something done for fun and without any specific goal or purpose, and it is often overlooked by adults. However, play can be a potential cure for mental and emotional issues and can get us interacting with others in a fun and life-affirming way.
I suggest choosing an activity that you enjoy and that involves interaction with other people, whether it be outdoor sports or indoor games. The key is to do something just for the fun of it and not for money or success. Play can be a part of your weekly routine, and it can be a source of exercise, social activity, meditation, and being in nature all rolled into one.
Personally, my playtime activity of choice is surfing, but friends find hiking and bicycling equally rewarding. By incorporating play into our lives, we can enjoy a happier and healthier life.
Les 5
Community
Lesson 5 discusses the importance of community for overall wellness. I share an example of an experiment with rats, where those kept in isolation became addicted to cocaine, but those living in a community with other rats did not. The lesson emphasizes that humans also need community to thrive, and the lack of it can lead to isolation and even addiction.
I share my personal experience of feeling isolated in a job where I worked with older colleagues, and how I found community outside of work through meetup.com and joining a surfing group. I highlight that community is a crucial aspect of preventing addiction and living a long, happy life.
The key takeaway from this lesson is that we need to actively seek out and nurture connections with others in order to thrive. This can be challenging, especially if our work or life circumstances do not provide opportunities for community, but it is crucial for our overall wellbeing.
Les 6
Being in Nature
In Lesson 6, I talk about how being in nature has become an essential aspect of my overall wellness routine. When I first experienced panic attacks, I would go to the beach and breathe in the fresh air, which helped alleviate my symptoms. I realized that being in nature is important for my mood and helps me feel connected to something greater than myself. Surfing is especially meaningful for me because it combines exercise, play, nature, meditation, and socializing all in one activity. Being in nature has become such a priority for me that I even moved to Bali to be fully immersed in the natural environment. This move may not be feasible for everyone, but I wanted to emphasize how important being in nature is for my happiness and wellbeing. I used to sacrifice my health and happiness to achieve societal ideals of success, but now I prioritize my wellbeing as the foundation for everything else in my life.
Les 7
Gratitude
The key takeaway from this lesson is that focusing on gratitude can help shift our perspective and empower us in healthy ways. By choosing to focus on the blessings we have, we can attract more abundance into our lives and play from a position of strength and inspiration. Being grateful for the things in our lives is also a reminder of the abundance that is all around us. This is a better mindset to overcome challenges than living in a state of worry and fear.
Focusing on gratitude can counteract negative thought patterns, and eventually, it can become a habit. Incorporating gratitude into a daily meditation routine can be beneficial. It is possible to develop a routine that incorporates elements that help promote balance and tranquility, such as being in nature, play, community, and self-care. By doing these things, it is possible to set oneself on a trajectory of steady personal growth, which can help deal with life's challenges constructively.
