I had a really good counselling session this week with EAP, and was offered a couple of techniques to shift to positive mindset when I am feeling overwhelmed or worried.
We talked about looking at the facts, not assumptions or worst case scenarios - the chemo is effective, the lump is shrinking, I am almost half way done, my hair will grow back.
One thing the counsellor suggested is using cognitive queuing - put stickers in strategic places, like doors, mirrors, my phone, and consider them support stickers, that remind me to repeat positive affirmations, like "I can beat this", "I am strong" etc. These can be reminders to myself that I can get through this.
We also talked about using realistic thinking, by asking myself 3 questions:
1) What am I worrying about
2) What am I hypothetically assuming will happen
3) What is really going to happen in the REAL world - or in other words, What are the FACTS?
We create our own anxieties and we can also destroy them with realistic thinking.
We also talked about going with the flow. I am frustrated about my physical constraints but I need to focus on what I can do, like walking Mimi when I feel up to it, and remember this is only a temporary situation. Don't stress about things out of my control. If I try to resist or rush this process, it won't help me. At the same time, I can look forward to the future when this is all over and focus on overcoming this disease.
No comments:
Post a Comment