dreams

I always knew it was important to dream, I thought it was a way that we process our days. in the book Awakening Intuition, Schulz talks about patients dreaming of their illnesses in interesting ways. For example, one patient had dreams of rats chewing out his stomach. This person ended up having stomach cancer. Schulz also said that once the problem had been identified, patients stopped dreaming that dream. (Makes sense). There were more convincing examples so I have been researching my dreams and their symbols. Oddly enough I recalled some of my significant dreams from the time I was diagnosed with AA. I kept dreaming of closet space because my closets were fulled. I just thought it was because my condo is small and I don't have any room for storage. According a dream decoder it says that home and closet may represent your life and crowding could mean cluttered. That is consistent with my life last year. I had a lot of stress and responsibility that I did not want or need. If I had listened to my dreams--perhaps my body would not have neede to respond. Day and night we have to learn to pay attention to what our body is telling us. I am going to do that for sure--but my actual closet situation has not been rectified.

stress management

I believe that overall stress was a prime factor in triggering my body's alopecia. The past year I have made a concerted effort to reduce stress and change my body's response to it. Meditation and yoga have certainly helped, as well as an overall change in perspective on responsiblity. Recently I had something happen which caused me to become quite upset. It caused me to temporarily abandon my healthy rituals--just when I needed them the most. I was caught up in the worry and lost focus of what would actually help me. It happens. I knew what I needed to do but I was so tired--I didn't feel up to task. Having allowed the time to "do nothing" I then was able to go back to the business of self care.

But hardships are good reminders that we need to constantly address our health and stay connected to the needs of our body. I would hate to loose all of what I gained through this experience for a little setback.

progress

The best thing about getting my hair dyed is that is allows me to see the growth and progress. My hair is now a few shades lighter then my natural color and many of my new baby hairs are already popping through in a darker shade of brown. I can feel the little spikes and actually see them! Very encouraging. I was looking back at some older pictures this year and I can's seem to remember how the transformation from non-pigmented hair to full pigment. I guess it was pretty gradual and I was occupied with other areas in life. But there is definite progress.

My hair is actually growing fast, but still not full volume. Head massages--I swear by them. After a little movement I can feel my scalp loosen up and release tension and feel more relaxed. Most articles I have read about hair stimulation recommends massage when shampooing and conditioning. While I have never been able to spend the 10 minutes in the shower, I definitely try to give myself brief massages throughout the day to make up the time. I know it helps.