Daily functioning tips

After suffering trauma These were the tips that I found useful. For some it took long time to figure it out. Some of these tips I describe while writing my diary. However, this is benefit of wiki as can collect them in one place to make it easier to read.

Have a routine, daily plan, but do not take it hard

You may not complete a single day this plan, but it will make your day simpler, when your head does not function.

Working in bed

When I am exhausted just sitting requires a significant effort. So, I move to work in bed. I arrange myself so, that I need to move only fingers. Everything including my head and my arms are resting on pillows. I arrange myself lying on my back in half seated position. Laptop has to be lifted up so, that you are actually looking up when you are looking at the screen. If you leave it low and will be looking down it will make you even more sleepy. This position gives me extra 15-20 minutes energy time before I completely shut down by dozing off, or simply lying numb. It is not very productive, but when you are in survival mode any move forward is a good one.

Is it worth it?

Maybe half an hour ago I got to the point where no matter how hard I tried; I could not focus anymore. So, I went for a short walk. It is a beautiful day outside. I used to love days like this. However now it was reminding how much I lost. Out of nowhere thought came to my head: "is it worth it?". It is my life. Of course, it is worth it. Any amount of effort is worth in trying to get better. I want my life back. Such questions imply that it was my free choice to get hit by a car and to be abused by layers so that I can fight them. You cannot ignore what has happened. There is no magic wand to undo it. The only purpose of this question is to put a blame on victim.

Doing something despite overwhelming fear when you have to do things

That is not something I recommend doing on normal circumstances. This is only for the case when you are in terrible situation:

1. You have experienced Trauma and you have PTSD, that is crippling your life
2. You have a task that is related to trauma and just a thought about it makes you freeze in fear
3. You do not have a choice; you need to do this task. Completing it actually may help slightly softening your PTSD symptoms.

When you cannot cope

You wish that such day would never come. However, if you have experienced trauma and have PTSD there is a change that such day may come. It is useful to know what to do and to have simple action plan. I have a list: call Sane, call Lifeline, got to Safe Haven, go to Police Station, go to Emergency Department. For more details please read When you cannot cope.

Coping with panic attack

Panic attacks at least in my view are reasonably understood and there is many good strategies to deal with them when they come. Preventing panic attacks is different and way more complex story. In order for panic attack strategies to work you need to prepare it ahead. So, here is my list, start with the easiest and if it does not work then next and so on.

1. Step away from what you are doing. It is unlikely to do something useful during panic attack.

Pushing forward when you have no energy

• Spicy food. Always punch a boost. As far as I know there were no negative side effects in consumed in moderation. I keep a jar of jalapenos in my fridge and time after time I eat one small slice. It cuts through all sensations and lets me to do just a bit more. The small price of burning sensation and pain is nothing in comparison to reducing complete exhaustion even if just for a bit. I do not have time now, but when I can I will grow my own. Simple read: Spicy Food Challenges: Harmful or Healthy?.
• Mint. Leaves or in processed form even as candy it helps a bit. It goes well with spicy food - increases its effectiveness. Again, I do not know any danger if consumed in moderation. Often just one leaf is enough. I used to grow all the time, only this year I did not cleared other plants that were grown in pots where mint was staying dormant over winter and it did not come back. Read more about mint Health Benefits of Mint And Its Side Effects.
• Coffee. I found coffee more efficient if I take antidepressants. Then several cups of coffee would make me a bit focused after lunch, otherwise I stay drowsy all day. However, more than few cups of coffee around the lunch is maximum of its efficiency. When you are exhausted, spicy food works better.
• Tea plant leaves (Camellia sinensis) e.g. black or green tea. Works similar to coffee, only coffee has stronger effect on me.
• Short walk. Sometimes, short walk can help, but if you are exhausted it may also make you more tired.