A Day in My Life - Day 9 @RRBC_Org 2023 #RRBC 30-Day #Blogging Challenge #GetToKnowMe @YvetteMCalleiro #ADayInMyLife #RWISA @RRBC_RWISA @Tweets4RWISA #Neurofeedback #Therapy #Psychology #Kaleidoscope

Hello, beautiful readers! Last night, my son and I stayed up past our bedtime to finish the Kaleidoscope series. Another author had told me she tried to watch it but couldn't get into it. Since this show mixes up the order of the episodes for each viewer, I could see how someone might not get into it if they watched a specific episode first. I believe it was the pink episode that was pretty violent (I could have the color wrong). Because I had seen other episodes first, I was able to invest in the characters, so the violence made more sense and had more of an impact. Had that been the first episode I saw, I'm not sure I would have kept watching. It goes to show that building characterization and connection in stories is important. All in all, my son and I liked the show. The last episode really tied it all up. I was able to figure out almost all of the moving parts before they were revealed, but they still got me on one or two things, so I enjoyed that.

Because I stayed up later than I wanted, I am quite tired today. I don't do well with just five hours of sleep because I am always go-go-go! I remembered my lunch today so I was able to get an hour of my part-time job in before focusing on my full-time job. Our school is on a block schedule, which means we see four classes a day for 85 minutes each. We have odd periods one day and even periods the next day, so today is the same lesson as yesterday, just with different kids and slight modifications based upon their needs.

After work, I had my monthly neurofeedback and therapist appointment. I've mentioned before that I developed an anxiety disorder from the medication I took to help me combat my chronic fatigue syndrome. I've always had insecurity and indecisiveness issues. I have also battled with depression a few times throughout the years. The anxiety and OCD tendencies, though, hit me hard about nine years ago. Luckily, around that time, I was looking for more holistic ways of dealing with my CFS. My sister suggested I try neurofeedback for my anxiety.

Neurofeedback is a program that helps retrain the brain to behave within the normal brainwave parameters. Our brains are capable of being conditioned. We can create good habits and bad habits. Neurofeedback looks to help the brain stay within healthy brainwaves to eliminate a slew of things, anxiety and OCD included.

The best part is that it's completely painless! I sit in a comfortable chair while they place sensors on various parts of my head to measure my brain waves. Then, I watch a movie of my choosing for thirty minutes while the program monitors my brain waves. When they go too high or too low (outside the norm), the image on the screen shrinks and turns white and the sound diminishes. As soon as my brain waves go back into the norm, the image and sound return. Thus, the program is rewarding my brain for staying within normal limits. Since I began this program, my anxiety and rumination have diminished, I sleep better, and I am better able to control my emotions. 

Full disclosure, I also meditate and use emotional frequency tapping, but those came after I already had begun to see improvement with the neurofeedback. I used to go to neurofeedback every week, twice a week. Then, I transitioned to once a week and then every other week. Now, I go once a month for a "tune-up." 

When COVID began, the isolation was difficult for me. At the same time, I chose to embrace it as an opportunity to work on areas of my psyche that I knew needed work. So, I started seeing my psychologist who monitors my neurofeedback for therapy. I have become quite attuned to my body -  physically, emotionally, and mentally. I've learned how to verbalize what I feel, and that, in turn, has helped my therapist and holistic doctors treat me. I am also very analytical. Many times during our sessions, I psychoanalyze myself and my therapist helps me understand the whats and whys of it all. I have found an inner peace through my therapy sessions, and I have become better at handling stress and silencing my ruminating thoughts. 

I am a firm believer that everyone should visit with a therapist with some sort of consistency. Our mental health has a direct impact on our physical health. The more we understand about how and why we act and react the way we do, the easier it becomes to find inner peace.

By the time I left my session, picked up my son from his afterschool workout, and got home, it was 6:30 pm, which meant I had no time to work out. So, I cooked dinner, and my son and I went back to watching Supernatural. Afterward, I hope to read my fellow authors' blogs and leave comments if it isn't too late. Then, I'll stretch and shower before heading to sleep.

Are you curious what other #RRBC authors are blogging? See those posts here.

Have you ever tried neurofeedback or therapy? I'd love to hear about your experience.