[eBooklet Excerpts]  

               

                 Chapter Eight: Final Notes & Thoughts

                  Gosh, this just gets better and better!

           ASC Can't Substitute For Growth & Development

 

Before concluding, I want to insert a caution. Because ASC relieves the pain associated with depression it can inhibit a desire or motivation to understand what's causing the depression to begin with! (Not unlike the anti-depressant medications from reports I read)! I realized a long time ago, that to break this cycle of mood swings I was going to have to "do therapy", etc. and thus I have reduced substantially the need to elevate my mood routinely by finding out what my "triggers" to depression are, etc.. (My bias of course is that I am assuming there is a psychological component to be dealt with).

                          More On Relaxation Techniques

                           (For Coming Off The ASC Highs)

In summing up, I want to talk a little bit about alternatives (other than chemical) ways to dealing with hypomania.  If you decide to use this routine, it’s important for you to know the signs that indicate you are too high and close to a manic episode!. These signs include sleeping less than usual, racing thoughts, anxiety, irritability or unusual increases in optimism leading to excessive spending and careless or high-risk behavior. 

If you think you are too high after an ASC exercise, the most powerful downer I've ever discovered is going into slow motion! You literally physically move at the slowest possible pace and totally focus on your movements. It's incredible! Try it sometime for a full five minutes if you can! Your thoughts slow down, your heart rate slows down, and you start relaxing. You can even do it in a chair, in a crowded room. 

Just totally focus on your hands for example and move them so slow no one even notices what you're doing. The key to it is total focus on moving extremely slow!  it is so powerful it never fails to slow me down! I think it triggers all the "muscle-memories" that are associated with non-movement and non-action.

                               Autogenous Relaxation

A more commonly used method of relaxation is known as autogenous relaxation.  Sit or lie in a comfortable position and close  your eyes. Allow your jaw to drop and your eyelids to relax, but don't squeeze them shut.   Mentally scan your body, starting with your toes and working slowly up through your legs, buttocks, torso, arms, hands, fingers, neck and head. Focus on each part individually.  Wherever you feel tension, imagine it melting away. Allow thoughts to flow through your mind, but don't focus on any of them. Tell yourself that you're relaxed and calm, that your hands are heavy and warm or cool if you're hot that your heart is beating calmly and that you feel perfectly at peace. Once you're relaxed, imagine yourself in a favorite setting.  As you become skilled at using this technique, you will be able to recall the image of your favorite place or spot anytime and anywhere, eliciting a relaxation response from your body.

                        Mood Follows Thought & Behavior

No matter how you feel, or "where you're at", remember, "mood" follows thoughts and behavior. Maybe, you too (or a loved one), can control your moods without medication or street drugs!  Maybe you (or a friend) can weaken or even eliminate a troublesome illness by boosting the immune system. Maybe you (or an acquaintance) have the potential to feel "on top of the world" everyday of your life, chemical free.