“This is going to take some time,” I thought, as I was asked to draw my attention to the big toe of my left foot at the start of my first body scan meditation. I kept going though and was soon aware of tingling sensations in my feet I’d never noticed before. When I reached my lower back, a surge of warmth spread up my spine. By the end I was breathing with my entire body, from the top of my head to the tips of my toes. I felt grounded, calm and peaceful, yet alert and awake.Read More
Tuesday 21 June was the second International Day of Yoga. When the Indian Prime Minister requested the day, he addressed the UN saying, “Yoga is an invaluable gift…It embodies unity of mind and body; thought and action; restraint and fulfillment; harmony between man and nature; a holistic approach to health and well-being…” The day has been supported by 175 nations and is celebrated with free yoga classes across the globe. Read More
I’m sitting on the sofa. An icy chill seeps through my skin, penetrating layers of clothing and blankets. My legs are switched off. Lifeless. Paralysed. I try to wriggle my toes. I can’t.
Symptoms of abnormal movement are a common feature of FND, so much so that it is sometimes referred to as Functional Movement Disorder. Paralysis, spasms, tremor, limp and gait changes can occur. Any part of the body can start moving in an unusual way. My movement can change so dramatically and quickly from full-body paralysis to violent spasms that can take me to the opposite side of the room. It is unnerving to experience and I expect it’s unnerving to watch.
Have you ever read something and thought ‘yes, that’s it. That’s what I’m feeling. That’s what I’m supposed to do’? I have, many times. I use my own writing to make sense of my experiences, but I love reading writing by other people to broaden my views and challenge my ideas. Sometimes the best experience is when I read something I can relate to; maybe somebody has expressed something I’ve experienced but haven’t yet managed to articulate, or perhaps it’s simply the comfort of knowing I’m not alone. Then of course there’s the pure escapism when reading takes me away from my immediate experience to a different world. Read More
Those words jumped out at me from an interview I was listening to online. They resonated so deeply, I’ve found myself thinking about them again and again. There is such truth, wisdom and emotional depth in that one simple statement. Let me set the context.
If last week’s post ‘10 Health Benefits of Journaling‘ inspired you to pick up your pen, here are some different ideas to get you started. There really is a journaling style for everyone, whether you want to simply jot down a few points or devote a whole book to a specific area of your life. I’ve started a new Pinterest board on journaling here. It’s full of how-to guides and images to spark inspiration.Read More
I recently wrote about how keeping a journal formed my pathway to writing and how regular journaling helps me in so many ways (you can read that post here). Below are ten health benefits of journaling that I have personally experienced. If it inspires you to pick up a pen, look out for next week’s post ‘10 Ways to Start a Journal‘.Read More
I launched this blog on New Year’s Eve. The days were short and spring felt far away. Nearly four months have since passed. The bluebells are gently opening their flowers in my garden and my resident Song Thrush is in fine voice. Last weekend saw a landmark for my blog as it reached 1000 views. I feel delighted, proud and humbled by this. It’s encouraged a welcome pause for reflection. Read More
FND (Functional Neurological Disorder) Awareness Day was this week. Raising the profile of the disorder is so important. It took fifteen years for me to receive a correct diagnosis and specialist treatment to help me self-manage my condition. That was half my lifetime and far too long. Even so, I consider myself fortunate; I have a diagnosis and I have access to a world-class team of medical experts. Read More
“My brother and sister had a flannel fight. I opened the door and got a wet flannel in my face.” My first attempt to keep a diary began when I was seven. I had a five year Flower Fairy diary. I felt so grown up having a tiny gold key to lock away my secrets. By thirteen, my secret diary included pictures of the pop group Boyzone. I’d also started listing goals, noting achievements and writing about difficult feelings; worrying about school or sadness that a beloved pet had died. I began each year with the intention to write in my diary every day. That rarely happened, but my diaries still give a wonderful snapshot of my childhood.Read More