Deep, deep, dangerous lows

I believe I first read about ‘deep, deep, dangerous lows’ in ‘Me and my mate Jeffrey’ by Bressie. I think it’s something I can relate to a lot. To manage these lows I used to medicate myself with alcohol and gambling, now I have nothing. I have started to download some wellness apps to combat these lows because the day will come where I will have to choose whether to use or find an alternative. Some of the apps I downloaded include ‘Headspace’ and ‘Bend’. I look forward to sharing my journey through the use of these apps in the near future too. Another place I need to be even more vigilant is feeling deep, deep, dangerous highs. Somedays I feel like I’m ready to take over the world. I need to ground myself and keep telling my mind that recovery and sobriety is a slow process. I have never received any diagnosis as I have never been sober long enough, only time will tell if I can get six months sobriety one day at a time.

Self-Soothing & Pleasant Activities are areas you will come across in DBT. Katie, my mental health nurse, has always recommended keeping ice cubes in the freezer. She recommends taking them out in times of distress. If you put the ice cubes into your two hands and let them melt away it will bring you back to the present. The Power of Now is another book worth checking out, I have never had the concentration attributes to finish the book but people swear by it. Thinking of the past brings up thoughts of regret, whilst thinking into the future can create unnecessary anxiety. All we can control is the Now. I can choose what to do today. Right now I don’t have a can of Linden Village or a betting slip in my hands. I have a roof over my head and I am warm. Pleasant Activities achieved today include writing this journal and going for a bit of a run this morning. My next pleasant activity will be to cook some healthy spinach and mushroom omelettes and then I might even watch some of either Yellowstone or Apple Cider Vinegar on Netflix. Today will be a simple yet effective day. I will finish with a thank you to Cooper & Una on IRadio. They have kept me connected and alive throughout the last week. Who knew putting on the radio could be so inviting and pleasurable. You have kept my brain active everyday this week through listening to the news and joining in with the craic on your morning show.