The holidays are a grueling time for those living with (C)PTSD for a variety of reasons ranging from anxiety, loneliness, depression, abandonment among a host of other emotionally charged states. Partners of those living with the condition may feel helpless and oftentimes unknowingly trigger their loved one. As a method of self-survival partners may leave their other half - alone - which can also trigger those with abandonment histories. This in itself is the tricky nature of the condition. What may work for one - being left alone - may be traumatic for another. Being alone often encourages the mind to race in circles and oftentimes this race plays out when we are in company. So having a taste of both races, I choose to be proactive this Christmas after having a non-productive spouse-less Thanksgiving post-lipoma removal surgery (traumatic in itself). I decided to ride a double century (200 miles) in three days by bicycle on the Bay Area's Bay Trail via Oakland, Alameda, Bay Farm Island, San Leandro, Emeryville, Berkeley, Richmond and the new Bay Bridge to Treasure Island. Saddle sores aside, the ride helped me process my loneliness, the feeling of being abandoned and forgotten; however, that fire was still burning after my final leg of the double century - roughly 85 miles in 8 hours. I returned home after each ride and all my processing came out. Somedays were better than others. The key to exercising with (C)PTSD is not to overtrain - something I'm dealing with. When I get in the "zone," it is almost to the point of selflessness. I forget to eat or drink, my mind preoccupied with pushing harder. This is dangerous especially if one comes home to their loved one(s), spouse, etc. So, as a precaution, if you are exercising as a way to cope with (C)PTSD listen to your body. Have a drink every 20 or so minutes and eat something! Take inventory. Compare. See if it works for you and your partner.
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AuthorDarren Brown, PhD. ArchivesCategories |