Module 4 Videos Meditations Yoga

Cravings & Addictions

This module overviews a few key concepts behind cravings and additions. Though we might have preconceptions about addictions being about hardcore drugs or alcohol, the reality is that we all have addictions to varying degrees. Your genes, your environment, your support system and any traumatic events you've experienced will all play a part in how likely you are to get caught in a deep addictive cycle.

For most of us, though, some insight into what cravings are and how we can better manage them and feel more "free to choose our actions" is what this module is about. Understanding the brain structures and brain chemicals involved will help us all be more creators of our reality, rather than slaves to our circumstances.

I've attached a short summary or notes page for you to print and add your own comments for future reference. You can print this from the Exercises section.

Cravings and addictions EXERCISE 1 Cravings Notes + Module 4 Journal

Cycles of Healing Video

Changing Limiting Beliefs

This section is about understanding the Conscious vs Unconscious Brain. This is from the work of Dr. Bruce Lipton, who was one of the first biologists to discover the science of Epigenetics. He was cloning stem cells and teaching in medical school that all disease was due to the genes we inherit when he discovered that he could get identical genes to produce different results based on the culture medium he put them in. Your environment does determine your outcome. We are not doomed by our genes. So this is how stress, your self-talk, and your deep beliefs that dictate your actions are so important in healing and having a happy life.!

Limiting Beliefs are the statements we picked up during VERY formative and/or deeply emotional times in our lives that we have told ourselves over and over. So they have become beliefs. But a belief is not a necessary all abounding truth. Maybe they once were true and now they are not. But your subconscious mind hasn't got the message yet.

So the challenge is to become aware of the "lines" or "things" you're telling yourself in the back of your mind OVER AND OVER that are stopping you from reaching your goals.

In the initial excitement of a new idea or commitment, our enthusiasm can override these beliefs as we are able to override our animal brain fears with our desire for the outcome (high dopamine) But over time if our goal takes a long time, your survival brain will pipe up and say, "hey, maybe this is too hard for you...remember the last time you failed at this? But remember what the purpose of your survival brain is... to protect you and get you out of harm's way. So it has a special power to remember things of the past that will help remove you from any potentially threatening situation.

So if you have good survival brain calming skills, you will be able to "shhushh" those messages or at the very least, ignore them like a nagging, whining child, and press forward towards your goal!!!

Here are some examples of limiting beliefs that may be holding you back. Notice how there may be some truth to them ...sometimes...but not all the time. They are not universally true.

Bruce Lipton https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYYXq1Ox4sk&t=721s

My Story with Addiction Video

Woundology Video--Woundology

Caroline Myss Ted Talk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KysuBl2m_w

NEUROTRANSMITTER Questionairre test https://www.integrativepsychiatry.net/neurotransmitter_imbalance_quiz.html

There are many ways to test your Neurotransmitters to see if you have an imbalance. Remember though, that your thought patterns, your neural networks will determine your brain chemistry. But there are times when supporting yourself with a supplement can be very helpful. This is beyond the scope of this program, but I have included these questionnaires as an additional tool.

I find it helpful to know and validate how I tend to be a person that has elevated dopamine and lower serotonin. It helps me relate and explain why I feel "low" sometimes, or wake often at night, or feel so much better after exercise. But in all cases, my aim is NOT to zero in too much and over analyze "what's wrong with me this week" or "what's out of balance now". My focus (unless there is a life-threatening symptom that needs immediate attention), is to keep Zooming Out and creating balance by allowing my own body to work it out. Eat well, exercise, move, meditate, connect with others, be self-compassionate, do Yoga. That's my recipe for happiness.

So here is a test available on the internet for you to see how you tend to balance your Neurotransmitters. I do not include this site to advocate taking the products or using the services... simply to take the test for your own information and education.