Addiction

[Adrian]

Hi Steve

I'm using the 5MM technique and looking forward to the incorporating the 5 Tibetans into an exercise program. I think your tapes have been worth the purchase price for those two concepts alone. I'm coming back from 18 months of body neglect and overwork. Getting some balance back.

I also like the concept of viewing life stages through hero's journey spectacles...

I purchased your tapes in part to thank you for the free writing class you have online--invaluable advice--I have it bookmarked, as should any aspiring writer. For me, the most empowering suggestion you made was to separate writing from editing. Thanks for the that! (Some links appear to be broken at present: specifically the navigation links, 'week one' 'week two' etc at the bottom of the pages. You might want to fix them.)

I have two questions, which you may or may not have thoughts about.

1) Heartburn/acid reflux.

After 18 months of a job which left me perpetually emotionally churned, underexercised, and living off of coffee and MacDonald's, I have developed chronic digestive problems (not to mention lovehandles!)

I've changed my job and I'm hoping that by adding some exercise and paying better attention to diet my system will resettle.

Any specific thoughts on settling down heartburn via diet/lifestyle?


2) Addiction

Any ideas on beating addictive/obsessive habbits? I've got a monkey on my back I'd like to shake.

cheers
-Adrian

[Steven Barnes]

Any specific thoughts on settling down heartburn via diet/lifestyle?

--It sounds like this was caused by stress and non-optimal lifewtyle choices. By finding your center (meditation, proper breathing for short multiple sessions during the day) you should increase your ability to cope. A balanced diet (heavy on fresh fruits and vegetables, moderate protein, carbohydrates calibrated to your energy expenditures) and exercise (say "5MM, Tibetans and a good brisk walk daily) and you should move toward health.
2) Addiction
Any ideas on beating addictive/obsessive habbits? I've got a monkey on my back I'd like to shake.
--YOu have to identify what the payoff for the habit is. Pleasure? Energy? Forgetfulness? Stress relief? Then remember that your nervous system will "groove" this behavior deeply, because it likes it. So to shift, you have to have an alternate HEALTHY behavior that fulfills the same purpose, and brings you pleasure without damage. Then begin to clarify the reasons to stay away from the addictive behavior. All of the costs, damage, etc.

Now. The pattern of behavioral modification goes as follows:
1) Identify the behavior you wish to change.
2) Identify the behavior you want to change to.
3) Raise your energy level.
4) Practise the new behavior
5) Fail successfully (in other words, learn from whatever errors you make, rather than "beat yourself up" for not making a perfect transition!)
6) and start the cycle again.
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Take a closer look at the "Hero's Journey" and realize that you need allies and powers, and faith. Begin to cultivate them. What social connections do you need to shift? Do your friends reinforce the negative behavior? If so, you may need new friends. There are many, many books and courses on dealing with addictive patterns. These are all "powers" along the road of your trial. Accumulate them. Find what works for you. and lastly, when (not if) you are discouraged, how will you lift yourself out of it healthfully? Plan these things in advance.

Good luck, and keep us posted.

Steve