Follow Up Appointment With the Hot Female Doctor

It is still very hot where I live, and the doctor still doesn't use the air conditioning in her office. In spite of the discomfort, I returned for another visit.

We reviewed  all my lab tests, but she mostly focused on lifestyle factors. I have a lot of respect for that approach.

I am a very goal-oriented, motivated and driven person. I shared as much about myself as possible with the doctor during the last few visits and the current one. Taking that information, she suggested some changes I could make. Here are some of the points she made. I cannot not restate exactly what she said because a few parts of it didn't make sense to me -- and some of it just didn't fit me. It is even possible that I missed the most important points she was trying to make because I couldn't relate to them. Here is a summary of what I heard from the doctor, combined with some of my own understandings about my characteristics. It's interesting that this is all concerned with treating glaucoma and, more specifically, my elevated IOP.

• The doctor described "emotional breathing":
  • I need in/out rhythm in my life, my activities and my emotions
  • I need to periodically let go of thoughts
    • whatever work challenge occupies my mind, make sure I periodically (daily at least) let go of it completely
  • The principal of alternation is important
  • Don't get mentally or emotionally "stuck" on one thing
  • My life is a "straight line" - if I have a goal, I go straight toward it without deviation.
  • I need to move toward goals in a cyclical manner, with periodic rest, breaks, changes of focus
  • I need to take frequent breaks during the work day
  • Periodically I need to completely forget about my goals
    • Daily, I need to completely forget about my goals for at least an hour in the evening and for the night while I sleep
    • Weekly, I need to completely forget about my goals for at least 1 day
    • Yearly, I need to completely forget about my goals for at least 1 week
  • A non-wavering focus on goals is bad for successful accomplishment. Goals are good, but my method of working toward goals needs to be overhauled for the sake of my health.
  • I need to take breaks!
  • I need to be more free and flowing
    • Less serious
    • Less intense (at frequent intervals, at least)
• Attitude
  • Stressful thoughts are like junk food for my mind. I don't allow myself to eat junk food, so why allow myself to think junk thoughts? (Of course, this is easier said than done.)