Stretching Away the Blues

That deep, funky blue cloud of depression that was hanging over me has started to dissipate. Finally. 

I realize that a lot of my physical and mental problems are caused by the higher than normal amount of stress I've been under. Between being depressed and the methotrexate making me sicker than usual, I spent way too much time in bed -especially the last week. One of the things that motivated me to get up was a video channel I found on YouTube. The host does stretching exercises - non-Yoga stretching, to be specific. (Christians recognize that Yoga is based on and rooted in another religion.)

This woman is pregnant in the first videos I tried following along with. Perfect. I'm old and out of shape. Her gentle nighttime stretching exercises were just what I needed to get started. And the stretching worked. I didn't realize just how tight my body was until I began to unkink the muscles. I slept relaxed that first night instead of just passing out from sustained misery.

I haven't yet worked up to doing the Full Body Morning Stretch - baby steps, people! 

By the way, it is not only my opinion that Yoga is, if not a religion, a spiritual practice. As a Christian, I don't practice anything spiritual outside of my faith. For a further explanation of why I do not and will not practice Yoga, you can check this post. Or not.

Anyway. That is why I choose non-Yoga stretching.

The other thing I did to help pull myself out of my depression was to give myself a break from my strict renal diet. Just for a few days. (My nephrologist thinks I could loosen up a bit with the diet anyway.) For the past few days, I have been adding broccoli and collard greens to my meals. I really indulged when I made the collards and added a piece of smoked turkey wing. Later today, I am going to have some pinto beans and hot water cornbread. 

So, yeah, the blue cloud is lifting. Hopefully, after my infusion next week, I will feel even better. Oh, and a couple of perfume decants I've wanted to try arrived in the mail. Not thrilled with either of them but they will be fun to review at some point.

from the House of Oud

Anyway. I'm back - or trying to be. 

Peace

--Free