I thought this was worth a post today and I figured some of you guys would appreciate this. I'm not trying to write a sob story, more a victory story. I'm 24 years old next month and have had a pretty weird life. I grew up in Bronx, NY, had a pretty shakey family situation that ended up being a very big problem in my teen years (again, not trying to make anyone feel bad for me). As I meet people in my life, I realize that many people have had it worse than me, but I wasn't able to deal with such issues as well it as well. I developed severe anxiety, high blood pressure, insomnia and ulcers. I went to a military college where my anxiety was reflected in my grades. I was in danger of flunking out until I met an awesome girl (not at the school) and she taught me how to relax. Without too long an explanation she had me smoke a cigar the night before any test I was to ever take, saying I already knew the information, I just need to relax and realize it. I did this and every semester thereafter I made Dean's list with my GPA. I can honestly say I didn't study a single time for the last 3 years of college. This was naturally a very big deal for me. I really feel like cigars got me my grades.
But while at school I didn't have the time to work on the other issues, I just got my grades and got out. Since graduation I've moved in with that girl (who's actually a therapist) and we've worked on my relaxation. I exercise to keep my BP down, but I also have make sure to take out time every week to relax with a glass of scotch and a cigar alone and figure things out. It's such an important ritual for me and my tiny family (me, my fiance, 2 dogs and cats) that she will actually order cigars when I'm low so I can't run out. Don't get me wrong, these issues have been my private thing I've been dealing with, I'm still a stubborn Italian engineer and I like to think I'm a funny bastard too.
Anyway, the real reason why i'm posting this thread is because I've been battling a poison Ivy rash for a month. After a month of everyone begging me to go to the doctor, so I finally went today. Not only have my ulcers been completely gone, but I've lost my insomnia, I'm not AS anxious anymore although sometimes with too much coffee.... But the real clencher is while at the doctor today when they took my BP, it was the first time in a decade when it has been normal. Victory without meds. Just a concious control and learning the art of relaxation. This is a lesson I'll take through life and I hope it benefits someone else too.
In celebration I picked up a CAO Mx2 on the way home. It's delicious.
But while at school I didn't have the time to work on the other issues, I just got my grades and got out. Since graduation I've moved in with that girl (who's actually a therapist) and we've worked on my relaxation. I exercise to keep my BP down, but I also have make sure to take out time every week to relax with a glass of scotch and a cigar alone and figure things out. It's such an important ritual for me and my tiny family (me, my fiance, 2 dogs and cats) that she will actually order cigars when I'm low so I can't run out. Don't get me wrong, these issues have been my private thing I've been dealing with, I'm still a stubborn Italian engineer and I like to think I'm a funny bastard too.
Anyway, the real reason why i'm posting this thread is because I've been battling a poison Ivy rash for a month. After a month of everyone begging me to go to the doctor, so I finally went today. Not only have my ulcers been completely gone, but I've lost my insomnia, I'm not AS anxious anymore although sometimes with too much coffee.... But the real clencher is while at the doctor today when they took my BP, it was the first time in a decade when it has been normal. Victory without meds. Just a concious control and learning the art of relaxation. This is a lesson I'll take through life and I hope it benefits someone else too.
In celebration I picked up a CAO Mx2 on the way home. It's delicious.
