Social Support and Wellness

Studies have found that people who have extended and available social support networks, consisting of friends and/or family members, are less anxious, and less likely to become depressed or develop posttraumatic stress disorder (Wedding & Stuber, p.25). People who have chronic or acute illnesses were found to have better emotional well-being when they had a supportive social network. The key word here: supportive. In contrast to support and wellness, individuals whose family members or friends were highly critical experienced more relapses and required more medication (Wedding, p. 25). One of my very dear friends (won't mention your name), has had fibromyalgia (FMS) for many years. Currently her family is experiencing a tremendous amount of turmoil for reasons beyond her control and her life is changing very rapidly as a result.

Sunday past, she and I made time to get together despite both of our busy schedules. We visited with my daughters; who she hadn't seen since they were in middle school, then went out for a meal so that we could spend some time in conversation. During the evening we shared stories of a few humorous recent experiences, talked about old times, as well as exchanged with one another about her current situation. When I was doing the reading about social networks, thoughts or her came to mind. Though I could never know exactly how difficult it must be to live with fibromyalgia, I sympathize and want her to know that I'm here for her whenever she needs to talk or spend time with someone who will support her. Someone who has been through what she is going through in her personal life and understands.

When I thought about writing this blog I wanted to be sure to encourage her with the information about positive support and wellness. Additionally, I couldn't blog about supportive social networks without mentioning another dear friend (you know who you are). We've known each other over 20 years and have been supportive of one another through numerous parallel hurdles. A formal study this is not, yet through personal experience I can confirm the validity of the direct relationship between wellness in general and "supportive" social networks. Thank you both for the privilege of your friendship.

Communication and neural functioning

This blog entry is regarding the importance of proper balance of the body and of the brain to create optimal neural synapses that are essential in memory, learning, emotion, through our communication with others. The brain is a social organ and the way we communicate with others directly affects neural functioning, thus promotes the ability of a person to deal with stress more effectively (Hogrefe, p. 21).

Blogging yesterday prompted me to reflect on the past semester for purposes of conscious awareness, and in doing so, it also made me objectively aware of several reasons for the feeling of lack of organization I felt. One reason I discussed in the blog was technology and the other, which I will discuss today, was the very limited communication with friends and family that I had time for. Although each of my classmates were there for support, each of them were dealing with the same class stresses as I, and they also had to deal with their own personal issues. Perceptive of their internal stresses, I often chose to keep things to myself so that I wouldn't overload their minds. In addition, I was chosen to be the class chaplain and I felt it was my responsibility to be there to encourage them and not the other way around.

A major change occurred in my social life, (which I expected) due to the amount of time I had to dedicate toward studying. As a result I wasn't able to spend much time communicating with friends outside of class. Being the only adult in my home also contributed to the limited communication. Knowing now, that these interpersonal relationships are not only healthy, but essential for optimal brain function, I plan to set specific time aside to focus on this area during the current semester. Although none of you are right here in front of me, this method of blogging, at least, makes me feel as if I'm talking to you.

Conscious awareness

When reading about conscious awareness this week, it seemed fitting to reflect on some past experiences that have influenced certain feelings and beliefs that I have had in the past or currently have, that I desire to be change for the better. Altering these established habits of behaving and thinking will hopefully lessen the stress I felt last semester. Under normal circumstances I am very orderly and seem to function at my best when I feel organized.
In knowing this about myself, it is difficult to look back at my first semester at Wingate. The visualization is not a good one. Most every day I felt much of my time was spent trying to figure out a way to be organized with my computerized notes, my new laptop computer, Vista navigation, and studying for tests from power points in addition to text reading. I felt very proficient with my desktop at home and its internal software; it took some time to adjust to the laptop and the sensitivity of the cursor. Often I became frustrated with myself because it took awhile to adapt-occasionally I'd quietly sigh from frustration with self.
Consciousness about the need to re-organize and re-plan an effective study pattern helped me to "wake up" and change some of the study patterns I developed during the first semester. Christmas and the entire break was very relaxing. From time to time I would take out one of the new texts or some articles and read more leisurely and in a state of less internal chaos. Starting the second semester feeling more organized has been much more enjoyable and without question less stressful. Hopefully my conscious awareness of the problem, the need for change, and taking the steps to follow the plan will help me to feel like my old self again.

New interpersonal relationship with my laptop, hehe :)

Here it goes...my first blog

Since I'm new to blogging my blog is just in the construction phase :) Its been a very interesting year and I believe it will be a good semester. Interesting in the sense that I've learned so much; about medicine, MEDICATIONS (my favorite class....jk...since I used to be pretty much holostic in my approach to medicine for myself...that was until I really needed hypertensive medication (go figure).

To begin this assignment, I'll first talk about my most recent introceptive experience. Since childhood (earliest memory : Grade One), I have had test anxiety. Of course I didn't understand the reasons I felt anxious during tests, all I knew then was that from Day 1 of Grade 1, I felt I didn't measure up....specifically, I recall the moment of the first "panic" feeling. The placement of desks all faced one another in a group---several groups of desks were within the class as it was a 1st/2nd grade combined class). Mrs. Sullivan was the teacher (a matronly woman with bright read hair, not much taller than I...at age 6). I sat right next to a brilliant girl named Robin King. Robin was from a very wealthy family in town, lived in the largest home in town. Ours was large too....however, it wasn't because mom and dad were wealthy and owned the most exclusive woman's clothing store on Main Street (which Robin's parents did...), it was because we had five children, one of which needed lifts, a wheelchair, and many other large pieces of equipment. Robin was an only child and her parents spent quite a lot of time reading and schooling her before Kindergarten. Back then, 1964...(wow), Pre-school was not common. The first experiences with social interaction-aside from family-was in Kindergarten, and that is exactly what it was-a social experience. the three R's (reading, writing, arithmatic), were not taught. We painted, listened to stories read by the teacher, looked at picture books, sat in a big circle on the floor, painted on the easel (my favorite), played games, and sang. If you were really "good" you were chosen to go to the teacher's lounge with one other classmate, load the crate with milk cartons for the class, and bring them back into the room and give them out....seemed like I did this quite often. Needless to say when my Mrs. Sullivan (Grade 1, Day 1, first time sitting at the Great Big desk with the Big chair) asked the class to write a sentence.......I FROZE right in the chair. I knew how to print my name, but a sentence...Oh my....I managed to print my name (VERY BIG). I glanced over at Robin's paper and it was cursive and there were so many words.......the next feelings; I'll never forget. Hot, afraid, red in the face. Wish I knew then what I know now (embarrassment). One problem...I still have the same feelings at age 50, even though I know the material...often I still freeze or choose the wrong question, only to later look at it, and think....OMGosh, how stupid was that. I soon learned learned that Robin was the only person who could write the darn sentence and I was among the few who could write their names. Guess this gives you an idea what I think about pre-testing to "see where the students are at". Nevertheless, Robin and I became very good friends. Often we played together outside of school. I really liked her playing at her house because it was so quiet and she had every toy and gadget you could imagine....especially liked her electronic car stering wheel with gears that sat on the table and made speeding sounds when you put your foot on the attached gas petal that was on the floor...that's another introception blog altogether. Better stop here or I'll never get my reading done for my tests (can't wait) tomorrow......unitl next time......