Supplement for enhancing concentration and memory?

[Lorien]

I'm having a terrible time focusing on my work these days, and I'm hopelessly forgetful. I can't take ginseng or ginkgo (bad reactions to them). One DUer suggested cutting out wheat and sugar from my diet, which has helped my energy level, but I still have trouble focusing. Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance!

[Dover]

1. ......cut out caffeine too. It constricts the blood vessels and promotes

nervousness.

Breath work is really good too for quieting the system into a steadier rhythm, grounding you out, and sending larger doses of oxygen to your brain. Pick up a breath work audio or video.
It's so simple and costs nothing once you learn the exercises.....yet how many do it?

Also, have you looked at what might be causing this restlessness?
Perhaps there is an issue with the work itself or the work environment...or maybe something else going on emotionally that needs to be looked at instead of "medicated"?

[jrthin]

2. Dover, any suggestions

regarding breath-work tapes or videos?

[Dover]

3. There are several good ones.

Here are a couple of sites to explore:

http://www.authentic-breathing.com/breathing-metaphor.htm

http://freshlinks.net/odp.aspx/Health/Alternative/Breathwork/



Andrew Weil, M.D. -

The health you enjoy today, and for the rest of your life, begins with your next breath. In fact, breathing is so crucial to your body’s ability to heal and sustain itself that Dr. Andrew Weil says: “If I had to limit my advice on healthier living to just one tip, it would be simply to learn how to breathe correctly.” Dr. Weil reports that breathing exercises get more favorable responses from patients than anything else he teaches.


There is a Zen tale about a young monk who complains to his master that "meditating on the breath is boring". So the master grabs the student, holds him under water plenty long enough to make his point and then looks at the student and asks "Do you still think the breath is boring? ".... Let's just say that this fellow had a change of heart (and took a nice deep breath)!

[jrthin]

7. Thanks, Dover. n/t

[Lorien]

4. Well, my main client hasn't paid me in six months

I guess trying to wrestle with the Walt Disney Corp-my main client for 16 years- has stressed me out a bit. I've worked for them for 16 years without a problem, but since they've started using a new billing system, it's taken lawsuits to see the money that's owed to their contractors. I'd rather not take them to court, but I'm broke and I've used nearly my entire retirement account to get by. Still, one would think that poverty would be a great motivator for getting one's work done (for a different client, in this case).

Yeah, I'm a caffeine junkie; 2-4 diet Coke's a day. I try quitting, but then I feel even more run down and exhausted (I have fibromyalgia and CFS). I can try again I guess.

[Dover]

5. Yes that is a problem......

and you are sending the "I'm impoverished" message to your body no doubt, which increases exhaustion. EXHAUST.....remedy is to DRAW IN.
So change the message not just intellectually, but emotionally (on the same feeling level that the fear of impoverishment is felt).

I know the rational mind fights simple solutions because it likes problems and drama. But do commit to the breathwork for just ONE WEEK and do a short meditation each day with the IN breath, simply visualizing....feeling....money and love coming to you (not just from a single source but from many sources around and within that hold you in an embrace of sorts). Some people identify a color that nourishes them and imagines the room full of that color which is breathed in as well.

Besides the caffeine issue, diet drinks have artificial sweetners that are obviously not a good choice either. Also, for fibromyalgia hot soaks and massage are not a luxury but a necessity. If the price of massage is daunting then try to find a friend or go to a massage school where the prices for student massages are very low. The idea behind the breath, heat and massage is to help flow....flow of blood, oxygen, breath.

And don't confuse someone else's (or a whole company's)impoverishment of values and responsibility, with your own and take that onto yourself. You are fine. You are in charge of your life and can adapt and cope with this external blockage. I'm sure you know all this intellectually, so it's really a question of having a dialogue with your feeling self and discovering what is actually needed. Your client can withhold payment, but they have no say over how you feel about and treat yourself, so be loving and gentle with yourself.

[Lorien]

6. My mind has always hated drama and problems

I have seven psychologists in my family, so I got over the attraction to problems and drama at a very early age (in fact, I know quite a few people who love to create problems and drama where none exists, and that has always baffled me. Life is tough enough without imaginary nonsense).

I'll try the breathwork; I've read some of Andrew Weil's books, but never specifically focused on that particular suggestion (I do Bodyflex, which involves breathwork).

The sodas are my only vice. I might cut down to one a day, but I doubt if I'll ever be able to rid myself of them completely (I've done it many times, but always ended up needing that jolt during deadlines). Massage is right out (no $$, plus I hate having strangers put their paws on me), but I'll try a heat soak.

My client doesn't want to withhold the payments; it's simply a computer glitch in a system gone horribly wrong. They've fought with this new system for a year and a half, and still they can't get it to work properly-so I know it's nothing personal.

Thanks for the breathwork links. Still hoping that someone out there has had luck with some of the new diet supplements out there. There's a few that are mushroom based that look interesting. I'd prefer to have a testimonial from someone before I try any of them, though.

[Dover]

8. I'm a little confused about the link between diet supplements and

achieving better focus. I hope someone knowledgeable comes along to help with all that.



Hope the focus issue gets resolved, and prosperity returns.

((hug))

[Lorien]

11. Well, I just found out that a vitamin B12 deficiency

can cause Alzheimer's like symptoms in many people. I assumed that people in this group would have knowledge of herbs, tonics, and other alternatives to things like Ritalin that may help.

:shrug:

Thanks again Dover! :hi:

[Dover]

14. Did you see this earlier thread discussion on alzheimer's?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=245x2588

Are you deficient in B12 or just wondering if that's what is contributing to the focus/memory problems?

[Pallas180]

10. Lorien, concerning massage, if you can buy

Homedics portable shiatsu massage pad which you put on a chair is excellent for about $89 (Bed & Bath carries it and you can usually
find a 20% off coupon in an advertisement or try online, they may be offering the coupon).

In addition to the excellent advice Dover has given you, you might try visualization...visualize your opening the mail with great excitement and looking at the check from Disney in the amount they owe you in full.

Bythe way, I went through a liter of Diet Coke a day....have given it up since December 1 and drink Lipton's diet peach tea which is delicious.

Have lost 8 pounds and most of the bloat that came with drinking soda for all those years.

[Pallas180]

9. Dover's post #5 - now THAT is metaphysics -

and good advice on changing the situation with the help of the universe.

Well done Dover, very impressive excellent delivery!

[Dover]

12. lol...............Pallas you are adorable.

I mean it.

[Pallas180]

13. lol - if I knew how to make the smiley face with fingers

pushing in dimples - of course I would. :)

Boy Dover, you're on a roll....I've never heard (read) you like this
and its great.

You been hiding your light under a bushel ....or some saying like that. LOL

:hi:

[Dover]

15. Thank you for that encouragement.

Yes....I've been in the belly of the whale.