Organizing Multiple Medicine Times- Free Printable!

Keeping track of what medicines, supplements, binders like Bentonite Clay, and helpful pro-biotics to take and with what can get mighty tricky when you go beyond one multi-vitamin in the morning.

My own care professional kindly provides a spread sheet with all of the recommended supplements, medicines, etc that we plan together. It has saved me hours. Some you can't take with any acids (including lemon water), others need to be 4+ hours away from mineral supplements (nettle tea included). With food, without food...it get's complicated.

After making a few tweaks, I have a simple printable form for you to print and use.

Just click here to download the pdf. If you have any questions or problems, just email me. 

Here are the basics of how I use mine:

• Left column is the name of your supplement, medicine, prescription, etc. I also note milligram here.

• You could make each column or time of day is a different color to make it easy as your eye scans the list

• Along the top, the following general times are written in:
• Waking
• Breakfast
• Mid Morn
• Lunch
• Mid Afternoon
• Dinner
• Bedtime

*I do not put specific times as the titles are a reminder to me that I need to take them WITH a meal or after a meal.

• In the cross section, I write dosage ex. 15 drops or just 2 if it's a tablet

• Under Notes are little reminders like "in 4 oz of water" or "Monday thru Friday only"

And that's about it. Making this worksheet is a great reminder to double check that I'm taking everything with care so it can work to my biggest and best advantage. 

Do keep all original instructions and care advice from your doctor/care provider so you can easily cross reference and double check. 

And you should totally write your name on it, then promptly put a heart around it. 

Because you are the most important person to love. 

How do you keep track of your daily self care dos? Comment below and please share- I'd love to hear!

xo,

Amy

PS Medicines and supplements are just a part of healing chronic illness or, really, healing of any kind. And for some they do not play a role in a persons healing. Which is awesome. This is just one piece. One piece I hope to make a little easier for you!

Managing Pain in the Moment- Free Printable!

Pain sucks. Having tools on hand, and a list to remind me of them, helps. 

As I was sketching this post out I mentioned it to a friend. She mentioned how helpful it is to have a list of tools you know so you can just grab it and take action when you can't think straight. I have one! On my phone. Not very helpful. So, I made up the simple printable at the bottom, added some tools I know and taped it inside my kitchen counter. I invite you to do the same. 

Here are just a few tools I use in the moment. I'll share more on preventative tools later.

Using mantras

Essentially, saying the same word or phrase over and over in a rhythm. 

• I say to myself, "I am not in pain, I am not in pain" over and over.Teresa Spafford, an incredible body worker in many forms of massage and Gyrotonics taught me that one.

• Sometimes, I say to myself "This is not pain, it's information". I follow that with trying to listen to what my body is trying to tell me. What may have led to this, and what different choices I can make. Changes I might need to make in my treatment, paying attention to what isn't working for me right now, old tools/new tools I can add...This helps me feel in control when the pain can make me feel like I don't have any. 

Find your own word, statement, or sound and give it a try.

Visualization

This is what people mean when they say "Find your happy place.". Picture yourself where you want to be and how you want to be.

• I picture a strong, gentle ocean wave washing through my body. I visualize the micro swirls of water within each wave clearing out every tiny space in my joints or the area I'm feeling the strongest. Incredibly powerful for me.

• You may see yourself simply pain free, walking down the street. Standing on a mountain top you just climbed. Sitting peacefully on a cloud. Running that marathon...find your happy place.

Combined with controlled breathing, slow movement, or just getting up and going outside, with a little practice, this can be a powerful tool to get through the moment.

Distraction

• When possible, go outside. Breathe deeply. Focus on the shape of the trees, the buildings, listen to and separate all the sounds around you.

• Rest when you need to. Move when you can.

•  Do one thing in the slowest motion you can focusing on movement and breath. Try Yoga Journal's modified sun salutation video here just to get a peek.

• Stand up and walk backwards. Another trick from Teresa Spafford. You brain has to focus on this odd task, literally interrupting the brains pain messages.

Now, please print this simple printable and put it somewhere handy, like the inside of your kitchen cupboard. As tools come to mind, jot them down. Next time, you'll have a handy list to get you through.

A few links you might find useful:

• EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique or Tapping: An article by Dr. Mercola. An excellent pain management tool for many.

• Coffee Enemas. Yep, I just said that. I haven't found a groove with using this tool, but friends swear by it. Often used for detox, they are also used for pain relief. Here's a not too weird (I promise) video with the why and how from The Wellness Warrior, Jess Ainscough

There are as many ways to manage pain as there are people trying. I share a few that are currently working for me. 

I'd love to add more tools to my bucket. What is working for you lately?