D-Tour

The Purpose of This Book • Assist others in getting their life back - from stress, anxiety, , depression, trauma, and PTSD • Show ways to achieve PEACE of MIND • Share ways to manage your energy that will EMPOWER YOU beyond PEACE OF MIND • Share a non-clinical understanding of stress in order to effectively manage it • Share some understanding of energy in order to effectively manage it – the key to everything • Share ways to attain and maintain optimum wellness in your body, mind, and spirit • Share ways to implement effective, positive changes in your wellness and happiness • Encourage you to approach healing and Life with the belief that anything is possible • Encourage you to fall in love with Life and live it to your fullest potential • Provide sources for further beneficial information in your pursuit of wellness Declaration I have written this book from the view point of my own experiences and my searching for solutions. • I am not a medical practitioner or an expert in any professional field that deals with what I refer to as the ‘Stress family’ – i.e. tension, anxiety, depression and PTSD • I am simply a U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam War September 1967 to August 1969 Overview My initial impetus for writing this book was my desire to help my fellow Vietnam veterans dealing with PTSD caused by their military service. I soon realised that PTSD and associated stress problems were far broader than that focus. They are often the subtle reason for the more obvious symptoms of health issues that surface around our bodies. Consequently, the scope of this book has expanded considerably to consider our overall wellness in an effort to restore and maintain that crucial balance of energy intertwined through our body, mind, and spirit. • Stress issues and impact have become a global epidemic • Observers believe the numbers dealing with trauma and PTSD are probably far greater than what is officially recognised or acknowledged. • The complexity of trauma and PTSD can often involve various members of the ‘Stress family’ and other aspects of our health • I wanted to go beyond veterans to address overall wellbeing for everyone My writing of this book started some eleven years after I was diagnosed with PTSD in 2000. Over seven years has evaporated since then, with numerous interruptions to the flow. In that time, much has happened in the scientific world that contributes to the treatment of stress-related conditions. There has been an explosion of discoveries that is taking science and humanity into a new realm beyond previous belief – some not yet fully understood. That has given me greater knowledge of wellness strategies resulting in my own further healing and a greater discovery of my Self. Anxiety, depression, trauma, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and other forms of stress-related conditions are having a huge impact throughout our world. They are the underlying roots to our diseases; they are controlling our lives, affecting our health and happiness – and they are killing us! Even though it would appear to always have been a part of human nature with our fight/flight programming, it is triggered more frequently with our stressful modern lifestyle, resulting in consequences we can all relate to. The intangible cost of STRESS to us in our relationships and health is virtually incalculable for individuals and our society as a whole. Studies in the U.S. and Australia both show increasingly detrimental effects on individual, society and business, with staggering economic costs as well, which are impossible to accurately assess. A study done over ten years ago by Australian Government Medibank estimated it cost the economy nearly $15b per year and growing. The American population of 325 million is 13x the number of Australians. Does that translate to $195b in the probably more stressful U.S.? Beyond those two environments, the ‘Stress family’ and their effects are a global phenomenon as we enter 2019. We all have stress by nature. Yet many people seem to be unaware of the effects that stress is having on them, which has potential consequences. While it is not a problem for some people, it is at crisis point on a frequent basis for some people! Fortunately, it is something we can learn to recognise, prevent and manage successfully, or even use its energy to empower us. It is how we deal with it that determines whether we control it or it controls us - as an individual, a community and our world. Uncontrolled, it can be destructive, debilitating and make us more susceptible to disease. Used creatively with intention, knowledge and skill, that energy can be an empowering asset! There are many effective ways, both simple and more complex, which we can employ to prevent or conquer stressful feelings or trauma that impair our wellbeing. We are all individuals with personal experiences, so it’s not a case of one size fits all. My experiences aren’t yours, but you can take what you want from mine, and from other sources I am providing. You may be just becoming aware of anxiety issues within yourself, or you may have been de-sensitised through trauma to the point where you’ve forgotten what it feels like to feel energized and truly alive. In any case, now is the time to take positive action. I fully believe you can - if that is your intention, belief and desire. • I have learned a great deal about the condition, methods of treatment and about my Self • It has been a process - I have succeeded through intention, exploration, discovery, determination, persistence, much assistance, much healing, much good fortune and grace • I believe the key to my well-being is learning to manage my energy, thus my stress • I maintain my wellness balance by consistently practicing effective proven techniques The important aspect of my journey is the state of where I am today – enjoying Life’s greatest gifts - peace of mind, mental clarity, good health and happiness! I so appreciate getting my life back that I truly want to help others who want the same!