S.A. eLetter (4-26-11)

[John P.]

Greetings S.A. family on the Internet,

We continue our discussion of the S.A. Guiding Principles. Here is
the fourth such principle.


S.A. Guiding Principle #4: SA members should remain anonymous, except
those who wish to work on special issues.

The requirements of anonymity protect members and the group from
unwanted exposure. Members of the group should be careful not to
identify fellow members as having schizophrenia or as being
participants of SA. Likewise, individual members should not reveal
their connection with SA to outside sources such as the media. The
only exception to this is when, like the founder of SA, a person
decides to reveal membership because they feel it is important that
the public sees that people with schizophrenia can function well.
Erasing stigma is a valid reason for breaking anonymity, but a person
considering such a move should first consult with the SA Group Support
Specialist.

SOURCE: S.A. Blue Booklet (program text, first published in 1989)


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--Stress Management, part #47

Dean Ornish on Exercise

So much is written about how exercise helps reduce stress. I don't
have that much experience at this one, but one of the nation's experts
on healthy living has a few words to offer on exercise. He is Dean
Ornish, M.D.

Ornish breaks down the "exercise spectrum," as he calls it, into five
suggestions. They are:

1. Choose exercise activity that you enjoy.

2. Listen to your body.

3. Be consistent.

4. Be flexible.

5. Make exercise part of your daily routine.


Here's some additional points Ornish writes on these five ideas.


1. Choose exercise activity that you enjoy. You'll be more likely to
be adherent to your exercise schedule if you are doing something you
enjoy.

2. Listen to your body. Don't overdo it. Learn the difference between
pain and soreness. If it hurts, stop doing it.

3. Be consistent. Consistency is more important that duration. Try
doing the same schedule over time.

4. Be flexible. Stuff happens. If something comes up and you are
unable to exercise, just add a little the next day.

5. Make exercise part of your daily routine. Try exercising with
someone you like. It adds social support, and makes it more likely
you'll make it a daily activity.



SOURCE: Readers Digest (Oct. 2009)


Stress Management Series Prior Editions

Below are links to the first 40 parts of the Stress Management Series
to
date. The more recent parts are at the S.A. eLetter site at Google.

Stress Management Series I (Parts #1 to #16):
http://groups.google.com/group/choose-life-project/browse_thread/thread/584aa4af7b45c502

Stress Management Series II (Parts #17 to #29):
http://groups.google.com/group/choose-life-project/browse_thread/thread/f240f7bad9902a81#

Stress Management Series III (Parts #30 to #40):
http://groups.google.com/group/choose-life-project/browse_thread/thread/e0f98e3ce6dafc7f


-----------------------------------------------

--Website of the Week

NAMI--The National Alliance on Mental Illness

NAMI is the nation's largest grassroots organization for people with
mental illness and their families.

Their web address:

http://www.nami.org/



-----------------------------------------------

--Our Suffering in Perspective

The suffering of schizophrenia patients is real. And other people
suffer too. We wish to also recognize the struggles of other
suffering people. For instance:

Tornado Outbreaks

This past week there were dozens of tornados in the nation's south and
midsection, resulting in over 45 deaths.


We do not suffer alone.


SOURCE: Associated Press reports

--------------------------------

--Quote of the Week

"Hoping for something is always good for the soul."

-B. Travern, contemporary author

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Bye for now, and everyone have a great couple of weeks.
--John P., member of S.A.

=============================================

For more information about
Schizophrenics Anonymous.:
The new S.A. website is at:
http://www.sardaa.org
----------
For the Google information group for S.A.:
http://groups.google.com/group/schizophrenics-anonymous
------------
For the Yahoo discussion group for S.A.:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/schizophrenics-anonymous
NOTE: Earlier editions of the S.A. eLettter and the Schizophrenia News
Links are posted at the Google information group for S.A. (link given
above). Also, the S.A. eLetter will come
to your e-mail inbox when published by signing up at the S.A.
Information Group at Google.
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Fact Sheet Information about Schizophrenia and Schizoaffective
Disorder--
* National Institute of Mental Health--description of schizophrenia:
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/schizophrenia/index.shtml
----------------------
* Mental Health America ( formerly the National Mental Health
Association):
--description of schizophrenia:
http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/go/schizophrenia
--------------------
* National Alliance for the Mentally Il
--description of schizophrenia:
http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=By_Illness&Template=/TaggedP...
--description of schizoaffective disorder:
http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=By_Illness&Template=/TaggedP...
(Organization now called National Alliance on Mental Illness)