I was talking to a fellow yoga blogger and YIOMer, Emily, (you can check out her blog here. No really – GO CHECK IT OUT! It’s really inspiring), about my prior post on being hurt (to read it click here) and how I am anti-meds. Now as you continue reading this post please keep in mind that this is MY opinion and what I live by. You do what you gotta do!
Ok so why am I anti-meds? Well, how do I explain this? I guess… I would say that anti-meds is the wrong expression. What I mean to say is that I try to avoid medication unless I find it absolutely necessary.
Now, I know that sometimes it is very much necessary. I understand that serious depression is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain that can be corrected through medication. I understand that medicine helps reduce inflammation so your body can heal your wound. Of course, in those cases, medicine is the best thing ever. My father is a physicist and my stepfather is a biochemist; I grew up on science and I acknowledge the advances we have made in the medical field and the importance of medicine in our society.
]That being said, I honestly think we rely way too heavily on drugs as a quick fix. Pain of any sort (psychological and physical) is the most unbearable thing and we do everything we can to numb it. I have witnessed an innumerable number of people go to the doctors for every little ache. Or how about those that pop a few aspirins at the first sign of a headache. Or how about people who would rather drug themselves then go to a therapist and work through their pain.
I get it, being in pain is awful. It really is. But in a sense, it can also be humbling. It reminds you to be grateful when your body is fully functioning. It makes you more compassionate to those that face pain every day. And nothing brings awareness and grounding into your body more than a hurt limb!
Imagine how hard your liver must work to process all the meds you throw into it. Imagine how hard it must be for your body to fight something off when it relies on external remedies. Imagine how much money you spend on doctor visits and medicines…
I choose to resort to medicine only when I am in dire need. I trust my body can heal itself and I live my life as organically and conducive of healing as possible. So when my tummy hurts, I do twist yoga postures. When my head hurts I drink lots of water and meditate (which has been known to have healing powers!). When I feel myself getting a cold/flu, I sleep more and take eat fruits/veggies loaded with vitamin. Only when I feel that my pain will compromise my body do I take medicine.
So far this method has worked for me. But it might not work for you – and that is fine by me. I am the last person to judge but I thought I’d put this out there =)
Namaste!
April 11th, 2011 at 9:40 pm
I'm kind of struggling with this currently… I am prescribed anti-depressants for depression/anxiety, and I hate taking them because they make me feel foggy (which in some ways is my problem with the depression in the first place!). But I've been off of them for a month and a half and I can already feel myself sliding back into my waves of anxious quasi-hysteria… I was off meds during the fall and literally spent a day having a chain of nervous breakdowns because of exams, etc. I even took my makeup to the library because I felt like I had to touch up after bursting into tears every hour or so. I hate taking the meds, but then I also feel awful without them, so I'm really not sure what to do :/ I just wish that other mehtods would help… I can keep myself calm to an extent but the extra volatility seems to be at least partly chemical because it's totally noticeable when I'm not on meds.Anyways sorry for getting so personal! lol. great post
April 12th, 2011 at 12:11 am
Yes yes yes! You know I agree already
and thank you for the mention 
, but I definitely also feel that people use drugs as a first stop cure way too much. I also will drink water when get a headache, and I've actually had people say to me: "why won't you just take an advil?". It's because there's a reason my body is in pain! I have a prescription for my anxiety, but I have literally only taken them once to date – and sometimes it is a really tough fight! But by turning to deep breathing, yoga, and even going to regular acupuncture, I have managed to keep pills as my absolute last resort. Kudos for the post!
April 12th, 2011 at 1:55 am
I agree. You can't grow without pushing your limits both physical and mental. My post tonight sort of reflects some of what you just said.
April 12th, 2011 at 2:16 am
I've been thinking about this. I use to pop a pill for my every ache. It got where I was using a bottle of otc meds a month. Like one a day. That was crazy. Now, I don't like to take meds unless I am have intense and throbbing pain. That said, I am all for meds in some situations. I really feel that my childhood would have been calmer if my mom had had meds. So, it is complicated but I think it is a situation by situation basis. A lot of things can be begin to be controlled with meds and then can be combined with alternatives.
April 12th, 2011 at 1:32 pm
I love the way you lead your life! I am a little pill happy when I'm sick or have muscle pains. Just the other day I had a terrible back ache and Terra recommended some twists, which I tried and helped a lot! But I eventually needed to take a muscle relaxer because it became unbearable. I like that the pain is gone but it's that drowsy feeling they cause that I don't enjoy.
April 12th, 2011 at 1:32 pm
I agree with you. I've always tried to find a way around taking meds before resorting to that. Luckily I'm healthy enough that I don't have to rely on things like thyroid medication or other critical pharmaceuticals to sustain the healthy functioning of my body.I do take a low dose antidepressant though and I struggled for years to make that decision. I tried everything else and still couldn't manage the depression and anxiety on my own. So combined with regular exercise and therapy, the meds work wonders for me and I'm happy with that decision.But yes, the search for the quick fix is rampant. And unfortunately we live in a culture where convenience and quick fixes are heralded as the best options always!
April 25th, 2011 at 12:52 am
I agree with you. I've always tried to find a way around taking meds before resorting to that. Luckily I'm healthy enough that I don't have to rely on things like thyroid medication or other critical pharmaceuticals to sustain the healthy functioning of my body.I do take a low dose antidepressant though and I struggled for years to make that decision. I tried everything else and still couldn't manage the depression and anxiety on my own. So combined with regular exercise and therapy, the meds work wonders for me and I'm happy with that decision.But yes, the search for the quick fix is rampant. And unfortunately we live in a culture where convenience and quick fixes are heralded as the best options always!
April 25th, 2011 at 12:52 am
I love the way you lead your life! I am a little pill happy when I'm sick or have muscle pains. Just the other day I had a terrible back ache and Terra recommended some twists, which I tried and helped a lot! But I eventually needed to take a muscle relaxer because it became unbearable. I like that the pain is gone but it's that drowsy feeling they cause that I don't enjoy.
April 25th, 2011 at 12:52 am
I agree. You can't grow without pushing your limits both physical and mental. My post tonight sort of reflects some of what you just said.
April 25th, 2011 at 12:52 am
Yes yes yes! You know I agree already
and thank you for the mention 
, but I definitely also feel that people use drugs as a first stop cure way too much. I also will drink water when get a headache, and I've actually had people say to me: "why won't you just take an advil?". It's because there's a reason my body is in pain! I have a prescription for my anxiety, but I have literally only taken them once to date – and sometimes it is a really tough fight! But by turning to deep breathing, yoga, and even going to regular acupuncture, I have managed to keep pills as my absolute last resort. Kudos for the post!