I have started taking rest periods everyday. Dr. Shoffner stated that I should take 4-5, 30 minute rest periods daily. You're probably thinking, "why do you need rest periods if you are in bed or on the couch all day everyday". Well, 95% of the energy we need comes from our mitochondria. That includes our cognitive activities as well. So, all this time I thought I was resting and conserving energy, I really wasn't. Even when I'm "resting" in bed and on the couch I am always reading, playing computer games (damn addictive Farmville), watching TV, or a combination of all three. So I am slowly working into actually resting 4 to 5 times a day. For my rest period, I go into my bedroom, close the blinds, turn off the light, lay down in bed, and listen to relaxing music on my ipod. The music I have been listening to is relaxing nature sounds and music. A few years ago my aunt gave me a couple of cds by Dean Evenson. I put them on my ipod for my rest periods and I thoroughly enjoy it. It really helps me relax. It reminds me of getting a massage. Oh, how I would love a massage right now.
The cds I have on my ipod are...
Dean Evenson - Healing Waters
Dean Evenson - Tao of Healing
Dan Gibson - Harmony
Now the other thing I need your help with. Does anyone have any recommendations for more relaxing music? I don't want singing. I love nature sounds, by themselves or with music. I do like what I have but I have a feeling that I will get sick of listening to the same thing 3-5 times a day quite quickly.
![]() |
This is the kind of yoga I DON'T want to do. |
If you have mito, how did you find a doctor in your area that specializes in mito?
Okay, that's the last question. Please comment if you have any recommendations or advice regarding the above topics.
For you not-so-internet-savvy people...
How to post a comment - At the bottom of this post (and all posts) there will be something that says "posted by Robin at 00:00pm 0 Comments". It will, however, state the time I posted it and the number of comments there actually are. If you want to leave a comment, click on the red words "0 Comments". That will take you to the comment page. You can type your comment in the box and then you must choose whether you want to use your Google account to identify yourself, just your name, or leave it anonymously. Then just click "Publish Your Comment".

5 comments:
Robin, I've pondered the blog title question a bit. But alas nothing creative sparked -- mito pots head?
I get what Dr. Schoffner is saying on the cognitive breaks. I notice a big difference between laying down resting on the bed with no stimulation (book, computer, tv) vs laying on the couch and engaging in processing information through some medium -- still working the brain which needs a lot of energy like you pointed out.
I don't have a gentle yoga CD to suggest, although there are probably plenty out there. Although I've done yoga for almost 20 years, I just do a few sitting stretches for legs and pelvis now with occasional shoulder stuff. For me, I've had to let go of my all or none thinking.
Those of us with severe exertional intolerance for whatever reason (mito, pots, dysautonomia, neurological impairments, etc.) really have a challenge to balance two competing and complementary goals: (1) doing less and pacing activities to conserve energy and and (2) minimizing deconditioning. I remember pondering the conflict when studying about this in OT school years ago. Now it feels like there's a tiny little sliver of overlap that I'm always shooting for. I applaud you for your efforts to work these two out.
Take care,
Donna
itunes has some free yoga podcasts that you can subscribe to. You can get daily poses and do that at your own pace.
FYI, Misti has a friend that has had mito for 10+ years. . . she lives here in KC. Misti said to give her a call and she will get her number for you if you want to talk to her!
Jenn
I love reading peoples experiences and stories, while living with POTS. It's nice to relate to : ) So I am definitely a new follower!
Take care,
♥ Erin
Donna - I have a feeling that balancing those two competing goals will be an ongoing struggle. I have yet to learn what that little sliver of overlap is for me. Each day I either do too much, or probably too little. It may be awhile before I learn how to deal with that conflict (one of many) within me.
Anon - Thanks for the recommendation. I will definitely look into that.
Jenn - Why are you not a follower yet???
Erin - Thanks for joining the party! I am with you there. It is so helpful to hear other people's experiences with POTS and/or chronic illness.
Post a Comment